Pastor's Ponderings - June

People were bringing little children to [Jesus] that he might touch them; . . . [Jesus said] to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Mark 10:13,14c.

June is the month for children. Graduations from high school and college celebrate our children's educational achievements. In my childhood days we even had a Children's Day as a day to honor children as we would mothers and fathers on their respective Sundays.

The summer pace changes the rhythm of our family and children's activities. Where we might be more lax in schedules involving our children, perhaps we might be more intentional in their faith formation.

The Commission of Christian Education combines the Sunday School classes for children during the summer. Vacation Bible School often occurs in these first weeks after school (June 28-July 2). Church camps begin in June. so do Jr. and Sr. High workcamps (except the National Youth Conference diminishes the offerings of these events this summer).

I wonder if we might plan to get to know our children and youth a little better by inviting them to our homes. Perhaps they could join us in our gardens for weeding, cultivating, harvesting conversations. Or maybe share a glass of lemonade and cookies in the shade, or enjoy a bike ride along the country roads or a hike in the woods. We might even consider taking them out for lunch or welcoming them to our kitchen tables.

In brief vignettes the Gospel stories show Jesus welcoming children and blessing them as valuable members in God's realm. Such hospitality might be the beginnings of mentoring them on the pathways of faith.

When our children and youth (and college students) and we have freer time beginning in June, this may be a rich opportunity to learn to know each other and walk together in faith.

In peace, Paul