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palm sun paradeOur Children

Some elements of our children’s and youth ministries stay somewhat regular throughout the year, for example Easter brings a play and two services and the flowering of the cross, Summer brings fundraising and Summer Camp, and Christmas brings Advent candles, Christmas pageants, and Christmas eve services. But for most of the year, our children’s and youth ministries are in a constant state of dynamic flux. They grow and shrink and shift and evolve in concert with the ebb and flow of the lives of the people for whom they serve. Programs, events, and activities are scheduled on a calendar and in the bulletin, but the "stuff" of our ministries can be found in the real-time transformation that take place within and around the lives of the children, youth, and adults who are touched by our ministries. It’s often moving so fast or so slow and in so many ways that it’s difficult to quantify.

For example, it’s not always possible to measure the effect that a loving smile from our nursery attendant has on a mom who is looking for a brief respite of spiritual peace. It’s not always possible to know what kinds of multiple and lasting transformations are being put into motion through any one ministry moment, of which there are literally hundreds of thousands each year. It can be mind-boggling to think about just how powerful and far-reaching the end-results of the activities of ministry really are.

sun school picRegarding Sunday School: As I watch the children and youth move about the church on any given Sunday morning, I’m struck by how truly comfortable they are at church. Visiting children and youth are welcomed and included, their apprehension wears off as the morning progresses, and the volunteer teachers do a great job of structuring classes so that visitors and less-frequent attendees fit right in and get a lot out of the Sunday school class. Of course, our regularly attending children and youth know that they "own" the place, and move about freely and confidently in and around "their" church. Thank you, adults, for not stepping on them as they dart in and out and around you on Sunday mornings.

I can’t heap enough praise on our volunteer teachers. They are always prepared, always willing to give, and really make a difference in the live of their students. It is a big sacrifice, and they never complain.

The parents of the children and youth who come to church are my heroes, too. Getting a household of children out the door, fed and dressed and on time, is a major accomplishment. Sunday mornings are a blur for families with kids, and the temptation to "take a day off" is strong. But parents must never underestimate the value of their children watching them going through the trouble of getting up, getting ready, and getting to church on a perfectly fine Sunday morning that could be spent doing so many other things. Regularly attending church teaches them that going to church and living a life of faith must be important, or why else would we do it? Thank you, parents, for bringing your children to church.

 

Thanks be to God for our many blessings,