I'm just getting a minute after a busy week and even busier weekend to write something ... not that it may be of any interest to anyone else but as a reminder to me of what a great week it's been!
We had a children and young people's workers team training day on Saturday and it was an awesome time - reflecting, sharing, discussing, listening, praying, chatting, and eating together. We looked again at some of the key things the bible says about children ... about being made in the image of God ... about becoming like a child ... about passing the faith on to the next generation. Some wonderful moments of remembering what God has done in us and through us and how it is a huge responsibility and privilege to work with children and young people. We remembered the things that bring us joy and wondered how we might improve what we do and overcome the difficulties we face in this work. For me it was just great to spend time with these folk who give of their time and talents to this ministry and remember why God has led me down this path to care about the way children are understood and valued ... they are (by God's own design) a vibrant example of the Kingdom and what it means to be a disciple, and observing and thinking about them bring me closer to God.
We commissioned all our volunteers who work with children and young people at the service on Sunday - a special service to recognise and honour them, as well as parents and the wider congregation in their joint role to nurture children in the faith as part of the faith community. The volunteers received a small gift from the children as a reminder of how much they are valued and the influence they have in the lives of those they minister to.
