I’m quoting our very own Connor Meyer, one of our elementary aged Sunday School kids. Recently, Connor was the last kid standing in Rainbow Randa’s face painting line at Chill on the Hill, and without hesitation he gave his spot to a disappointed little girl who was being gently turned away as Pastor Andy was trying to close up shop for the night.
Andy shared this story with me and then with many of you in worship the Sunday following that Chill event and it’s stuck with me as a perfect example of the immediate, unconditional love of God we preach and teach and try to put into action as disciples of Jesus Christ. Yaaaaaaay, Connor!!!!!!
As I pray about how this Fall will unfold for the life and ministry of our church, I continue to hear God’s call to use my teaching gifts to guide our children’s ministry. To that end, I have decided, and hope to have SPR’s blessing, to “give my spot” in the pulpit to Pastor Andy more regularly for this programming year so that I can truly focus on growing our ministry with children.
Being a beloved community that honors ALL people begins with our youngest.
As Connor so wonderfully demonstrated, the consistent message of God’s love is important ministry along with support for growing families. Adults have stories of God’s grace and love to share with children and their families and your voices are needed as we move forward.
I’d like to develop a core team of committed youth and adult visionaries and leaders who are willing to work with this ministry area for the next two to three years.
The 2015-16 Sunday School Rally Day/Open House will be Sunday, September 13th, from 9:15am-10:30am. Informational materials and registration forms for families and a commitment sheet for ALL who are willing to attend a general meeting with me regarding children’s ministries will be available.
Connor’s story stays with me because giving up a spot you love is tough! A few weeks later, when I saw Connor, he looked no worse for the experience and was still the happy, generous kid I so appreciate in our church family. Thanks Connor, for giving me courage to let go of the spot I so love, the pulpit, and to trust the Holy Spirit’s leading! I am blessed with a wonderful co-minister who will continue to honor my place as pastor while I integrate my teaching gifts to facilitate ministry expansion. I trust that both of us will thrive through this experience as Connor has!
Friends, we are blessed with a church whose demographic is expanding just a bit to the younger spectrum and our ministries need to meet these individuals, couples and families (of ALL kinds) with programming and ministry opportunities that will inspire their committed participation.
Peace to each of you, Pastor Kelly
P.S. I am also visioning social justice learning and service ministry opportunities for adults that I hope will be attractive both in their timing and topic for our below-retirement-aged demographic. (how’s that for wide open and undefined?!)