February is usually the month when everything turns pink, red, and smells vaguely of cinnamon hearts. But for us, love isn’t just a card you buy at the last minute or a candy-induced sugar crash. It’s something much bigger—and a lot more adventurous.
What is Compassion?
In the original language of the Bible, compassion literally means to feel something deep in your “gut.” Compassion is love in action. It’s seeing a need and deciding that you’re the one who’s going to do something about it.
Here are some service project ideas for children and youth groups focused on spreading compassion and love this February:
- Sunshine Letters for Seniors – Many seniors in nursing homes or those who are housebound feel lonely during the winter months. Have the kids create colorful, handmade cards or write sunshine letters filled with encouraging Bible verses and drawings to remind older members of the community that they are loved and remembered.
- Blessing Bags for the Homeless – February is often one of the coldest months of the year. Gather supplies like thick socks, hand warmers, travel-sized toiletries, granola bars, and bottled water. Let the youth assemble these into gallon-sized Ziploc bags to provide immediate, practical comfort for those living on the streets.
- Appreciation for Community Heroes – Show love to those who serve the community every day. Pick a group (teachers, firefighters, or hospital staff) and put together small appreciation kits – this could be a bag of coffee, some chocolates, or just a large banner signed by all the kids.
- No-Sew Fleece Blankets – This is a great tactile project for all ages. Buy fleece fabric and have the kids cut and tie the edges to make “no-sew” blankets. These can be donated to local foster care agencies, animal shelters, or children’s hospitals to provide physical warmth and a sense of security to someone in a difficult transition.
- Neighborhood Secret Service – Focus on the immediate community surrounding the church. Spend an hour cleaning up a local park or picking up litter on a specific street. Offer to rake for elderly neighbors. This shows love for the environment and the community without asking for anything in return.
- Pet Love: Shelter Support – Many children have a soft spot for animals. Collect old towels/blankets or bake simple 3-ingredient dog treats (pumpkin and oats). Deliver them to a local animal shelter to show compassion to all of God’s creatures.
- “Souper” Bowl Collection – On the Sunday of the big game, have the children and/or youth stand at the church exits with large soup pots to collect canned soup or monetary donations for a local food pantry to fight local hunger in a fun way.
Do y’all remember these videos? They are now streaming for free on Youtube!
Thank you, Deacon Lexanne Graves, for reminding me of these!
UPCOMING!
CYFM
BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) and join fellow CYFM Leaders for our Lunch Bunch session on February 17 at Noon. Please note change in date for this month only
I will share resources from the ELCA Youth Extravaganza. Hope to see you there!
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86907283680?pwd=kzT8at1aWtE84qjr90TWcWZ1doaL0w.1
Phone: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 869 0728 3680
Passcode: 8037650590
MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT
March 13-15
Camp Kinard
What does it mean to live as a faith-full disciple? What are the actions or activities that help shape disciples on the journeys?
Join us for a weekend of learning more about faith practices, fun, and friendship!
Cost is $105
Register Now!
https://forms.gle/JLqQiBLhLRGFwfS59
RESOURCES
Are you doing any fun and/or learning activities with your children and youth?
If so, share your story! Send to deborah@scsynod.com
ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT IDEAS FOR YOUTH MINISTRY FROM FULLER YOUTH INSTITUTE
Youth Ministry and Lent | Fuller Youth Institute
LEADING CHANGE WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND WITH TIGER MCLUEN
February 5 / 11amCT
Leading Change without Losing It
NURTURING FAITH: MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUR COMMUNITY
Join us to learn more about the Nurturing Faith Self-Study Resource.
Nurturing Faith: Meeting the Needs of Your Community – Feb 23, 2026 – Events Calendar – ELCA Schools and Learning Centers
