THE VOICE BEHIND
Imagine scrolling through Facebook on a day near the end of August, just as children are returning to school. You have a rhythm going as you slide heart emojis to dozens of first-day-of-school pictures. Suddenly, this pops up. Heart emoji or no?
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My daughter has such a sense of humor. She thought it would be clever to add my last-day-of-work photo into the mix. Shortly after she snapped this photo, I walked into my office for the last time.
It was a bittersweet day. After pouring twenty-one years of my life into my work as Director of Children’s Ministries, new challenges were waiting. I loved what I was doing…. Writing programs for Kids’ clubs, puppet shows, dramas, and Vacation Bible School programs that served hundreds of children in my community and across the world. I loved speaking to parent groups and training new children’s ministry leaders. And I loved the children. Many were children of children who grew up under my ministry during those twenty-one years. But with the same confidence I felt when God called me to accept that position, I knew His gentle nudge was directing me to explore different ways of ministering to children.
My new calling allows me to hang on to my old loves. I write to connect children with Gospel truths and to encourage and equip those who are shepherding them. Contributing stories to Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. has expanded my reach and strengthened my resolve to continue writing with a passion to pass the baton of faith on to the next generation.
Although my writing does not require me to gather with children during the week, my heart does. Every Sunday morning, you will find me at the door of the three-year-old Sunday school class, welcoming my little friends. Some make their way to the block center to create masterful towers and castles. Some prepare pretend meals for the dolls in the home living center.
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Others work on puzzles or coloring pages… but when the call to circle time comes, they leave their towers, their cooking, and their unfinished puzzles to gather around an opened Bible. There is no greater blessing than to sit in a circle of children and share the wonderful stories of Jesus.
This is why I write. For as long as I am able, I will continue my mission to call children away from their distractions, if only just for a moment. In that moment, I’ll gather them around God’s word and turn their eyes toward their Creator. Whether it be through a Bible story in a magazine or an adventure book that reflects Bible truth, I pray God will guide my hand as I write to firm up foundations and open young eyes to the wonders of His love and grace.
Official Bio
Frances McFarland graduated with honors from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. She also completed USC's Post Baccalaurate program with certification in Elementary Education.
Frances had worked as a Case Manager in Child Protective Services, a preschool teacher, and a Director of Children's Ministries, a position she held for twenty-one years. During that time, she developed a 4-year kids club series for preschoolers as well as numerous VBS programs that drew in hundreds of children locally. She adapted several of these to be used in international summer mission programs.
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Over the years, the layers on her desk have included seasonal programs, devotionals, dramas, and puppet scripts. A new season of life now finds Frances writing for children in her writing loft. She is a member of Word Weavers International and enjoys attending conferences to increase her knowledge of how to be an effective writer. Contributing stories to 'Focus on the Family's Clubhouse Jr.' has expanded her reach and strengthened her resolve to continue writing with a passion.
A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME
I am...
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Terrified of roller coasters and two-seater swings. (To my defense, this photo doesn’t fully capture the swing’s twists and turns that hurled Emily and me sideways and threatened to slam us to the ground. Notice Emily’s smile. She happens to love roller coasters and two-seater swings.)
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A happy wife and friend to my husband of 43 years. I met Jim the summer when I worked in a peach orchard to earn money for college tuition. The money was disappointing, but I came away with a real peach. (No eye rolls please)
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A proud mother to a son and a daughter who brought me great joy when their flights from the nest landed them just minutes from our home. No plane tickets required for holiday gatherings or s’mores and chats by the firepit.
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The creator and caretaker of two fairy gardens, four porcelain fairies and one resin gnome… all characters in the fairy stories I write for my five much loved grandchildren.
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An avid traveler. My husband and I have enjoyed visiting 24 countries (so far) but we’re always glad to come back to Lexington, SC, the place I’ve called home all my life.
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A devoted Sunday school teacher to precious preschoolers for over 35 years. Is it true that adult classes don’t serve animal crackers and tiny cups of water? I can’t remember that far back.