Commitment to our Children
Dear Members of the Parish,
This past Sunday we honored the Junior Choir and all those who have helped with our Sunday School over the year. Here is part of my homily:
It is fitting on this Sunday when we honor everyone who has volunteered their time and talent with our Children and Youth in the Sunday School program and Junior Choir that we think about the story of the calling of David and the parable of the mustard seed. David grew up in the faith and became a great ruler. The mustard seed, when nurtured grows into a large bush, giving shade.
When I first came to Grace in 1998, one of the things that struck me about this parish was your commitment to Children and Youth. You wanted to strengthen the Christian Education program and you said you wanted a Children's Choir. What I heard from the many conversations I had with the Vestry and with parents is that you wanted your children to be steeped in the Christian faith and to know the great stories of the Bible. You said you wanted them to become familiar with the liturgy and participate more fully in worship.
Well, I think we've worked pretty hard over the years to make all of that happen.
Gradually, Christian Education for our children became stronger and stronger. Many of you stepped up and helped as we introduced Godly Play and Rite 13 Curriculum to our Sunday programs. Most notably, our Christian Ed. program has never been stronger than it has with Ed Pease at the helm. Our programs have grown and we now have over 65 children and youth participating in some way throughout the year.
Linda Clark introduced the Singing School for toddlers a couple of years ago and with the help of volunteers, it has helped children learn the joy of singing and many have moved on to the Junior Choir, led so ably by Frank Pesci.
I hope you know that Ed and Linda, Frank and I cannot do this work alone. It takes the commitment of everyone in this parish to ensure that all our mustard seeds grow into fine, strong shrubs.
In a few minutes we will baptize Robert and Quinn. We will promise, as we do at every Baptism to support them in their life in Christ. That is a serious commitment, and I know that some of you take it very seriously. What it means to me is that when you are asked to help out with Sunday school that you will respond with a joyful, "Yes, I'd be happy to!" It means bringing your children to Sunday school and worship on a regular basis. It means nurturing an attitude of "this is what we do on Sundays," so that your children are rooted and grounded in the faith.
We all know that life in the world right now is full of challenges: climate change, racial intolerance, war, economic instability, disease and poverty. How will your children be equipped to face these challenges as they grow into adults? How will they make a difference in this world? Will they be able to call upon their faith in times of trouble and great stress? My prayer is that they will. My prayer is that we all we re-commit ourselves to participate more fully in their Christian Education. My prayer is that when the Lord calls and asks, "Whom shall I send and who will go before us?" that every child of Grace will be confident in their faith and will respond with confidence and boldness, "Here I am, Lord. Send me."
The tasks before us have never been more crucial and compelling. We have a mandate to nurture and develop the bounty of potential and gifts that God has given us in our children. Let us press on toward the prize, toward the goal of eternal life. Our very souls and those of our children hang in the balance. Amen.
Peace and Blessings,
Miriam
This past Sunday we honored the Junior Choir and all those who have helped with our Sunday School over the year. Here is part of my homily:
It is fitting on this Sunday when we honor everyone who has volunteered their time and talent with our Children and Youth in the Sunday School program and Junior Choir that we think about the story of the calling of David and the parable of the mustard seed. David grew up in the faith and became a great ruler. The mustard seed, when nurtured grows into a large bush, giving shade.
When I first came to Grace in 1998, one of the things that struck me about this parish was your commitment to Children and Youth. You wanted to strengthen the Christian Education program and you said you wanted a Children's Choir. What I heard from the many conversations I had with the Vestry and with parents is that you wanted your children to be steeped in the Christian faith and to know the great stories of the Bible. You said you wanted them to become familiar with the liturgy and participate more fully in worship.
Well, I think we've worked pretty hard over the years to make all of that happen.
Gradually, Christian Education for our children became stronger and stronger. Many of you stepped up and helped as we introduced Godly Play and Rite 13 Curriculum to our Sunday programs. Most notably, our Christian Ed. program has never been stronger than it has with Ed Pease at the helm. Our programs have grown and we now have over 65 children and youth participating in some way throughout the year.
Linda Clark introduced the Singing School for toddlers a couple of years ago and with the help of volunteers, it has helped children learn the joy of singing and many have moved on to the Junior Choir, led so ably by Frank Pesci.
I hope you know that Ed and Linda, Frank and I cannot do this work alone. It takes the commitment of everyone in this parish to ensure that all our mustard seeds grow into fine, strong shrubs.
In a few minutes we will baptize Robert and Quinn. We will promise, as we do at every Baptism to support them in their life in Christ. That is a serious commitment, and I know that some of you take it very seriously. What it means to me is that when you are asked to help out with Sunday school that you will respond with a joyful, "Yes, I'd be happy to!" It means bringing your children to Sunday school and worship on a regular basis. It means nurturing an attitude of "this is what we do on Sundays," so that your children are rooted and grounded in the faith.
We all know that life in the world right now is full of challenges: climate change, racial intolerance, war, economic instability, disease and poverty. How will your children be equipped to face these challenges as they grow into adults? How will they make a difference in this world? Will they be able to call upon their faith in times of trouble and great stress? My prayer is that they will. My prayer is that we all we re-commit ourselves to participate more fully in their Christian Education. My prayer is that when the Lord calls and asks, "Whom shall I send and who will go before us?" that every child of Grace will be confident in their faith and will respond with confidence and boldness, "Here I am, Lord. Send me."
The tasks before us have never been more crucial and compelling. We have a mandate to nurture and develop the bounty of potential and gifts that God has given us in our children. Let us press on toward the prize, toward the goal of eternal life. Our very souls and those of our children hang in the balance. Amen.
Peace and Blessings,
Miriam
posted by Miriam | 8:47 AM
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