Abi (on the right) is one today, Carrick (2nd left) is four. Cousins-in-law sharing the same birthday, and living hundreds of miles away from us. We dont see them often enough, with C enjoying the Costa del Sol, and A enduring a Moscow winter. Too far away for us to celebrate with them. And we miss them and their sisters like crazy, so these pictures adorn both our desktops! Happy Birthday little ones.
“Z and I want to start a Sunday School. Can we? Grownups can come too if they want!” (S & Z are both 9)
We dont have many children in All Saints, or in Holy Cross for that matter. Neither Church has a “Sunday School”, although we do try to include the kids with variable success. Sometimes we get under-10’s visiting with their grandparents, and If I know beforehand, I am able to adapt the service to be more child-friendly. Unfortunately we haven’t catered so well to the teens in the congregation in recent years, Sunday school died out as they grew up, and the beginnings of the Youth fellowship collapsed when the trainee YF leaders moved away before it was bedded in properly.
For a while in All Saints, S was the only child under 12, and he enjoyed asking so many questions about what was going on at the front of the church, so we trained him up as a junior server (and he does a fantastic job!) he loves helping, and runs around constantly being busy: tidying up, helping others with books, with coffee etc.
Since just after Christmas Z and her family have also been with us (big brother M is in the choir) Z is a very artistic girl, and talented with it. To keep her interested, and occupied, the quiet space at the back of the church has been put to good use, with Z embarking on various projects tying in with the church seasons. Her Easter day poster took pride of place at the front of the church, and the Easter Cards she decided to make and sell to the congregation sold like hotcakes. The dove badges she and S made for the congregation for the Pentecost celebrations are still worn (or carried) by many. Since Z arrived in church, S has been less interested in being a server, and more interested in working at the back of the church with her. Understandable really. They’re in the same class at school and know each other well. Without a lot of formal guidance, and with limited supplies, Z & S are often found beavering away at the back of the church. S even coems to the midweek Eucharist, and occasionally to Evensong. And now they want more. They have decided they want to start doing things more formally - gain more input from the adults and learn more about this faith they are absorbing in spurts throughout the year. Its great, its exciting, and gives me a great buzz to think that the children are wanting to learn about Jesus in positive, imaginative ways and are seeking help in doing this. Now all we need are Sunday School leaders…
