“Don’t leave home without Him” is the theme of St. Stephen’s newest children’s project. Designed to remind kids that Jesus travels with them wherever they go, Flat Jesus is a simple and fun way to engage young people more fully in their faith.

For many years, “Flat Stanley” has been a mainstay in children’s literacy/social studies programs in early elementary schools across the country.  Created by Jeff Brown, the “Flat Stanley” book series told of “Stanley Lambchop,” a boy accidentally flattened when a bulletin board fell on him one night, Flat Stanley was fine in every other way and fortunately able to go on adventures in unusual places. Moreover, children wrote letters with Flat Stanley enclosed, sending him to other cities/states and requesting that their faraway friends send back pictures of Flat Stanley doing unusual and fun things for everyone to share. It was a concrete, hands-on learning experience for tactile learners.

St. James Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Michigan, recently adapted this concept by creating “Flat Jesus,” a Godly-play activity for their vacation Bible school youngsters. Flat Jesus is a fun-filled, hands-on approach reminding children to keep Jesus with them in their hearts and minds no matter where they go or what they do, especially in summer when they are traveling away from their home churches on vacation.

Our St. Stephen’s theme for the “Flat Stanley” project is “Don’t leave home without Him.” We want our kids to take pictures with their Flat Jesus (which they color and personalize using a template supplied in Sunday School class) when they go on outings, wherever these may be. And then, we ask them to pass along photos of their families with Flat Jesus enjoying this wonderful world God has given us.

Those interested in obtaining the Flat Jesus template may contact St. Stephen’s church office by email (office@st-stephens.org) and we will be glad to email the template to the requester.

St. Stephen’s is located at 24901 Orchard Village Road in Santa Clarita. Additional information on church activities may be found on our website at www.st-stephens.org.