Matthew 19:14
New International Version
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Greenbelt Community Church UCC has an opportunity to make space for the little children to be in Jesus’ presence. The Board of Worship and Christian Education has created a safe space downstairs off the social hall for our youngest children to be together in a fitting environment during the worship service. There are books. There are toys. There is much joy for our youngest children to be together.
What we need is you. There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex for you to say you will give one Sunday to be an adult presence with the children. This is not a structured Sunday School Lesson for which you must make preparations. This is you, as a part of the church, being present with the children, reading them a story (or, it is reported, listening as one of the group likes to read the story to the teacher and identify the pictures he sees), talking to them and listening to them. In short – creating a caring environment by your presence.
Jesus also said, where two or three are gathered in my name – there I am with them. I promise you that you are not “giving up worship”. Rather you are meeting Jesus in these children. You are also making memories for the children that will connect them to Greenbelt Community Church as they grow and mature. You are also making it possible for their parents to be in worship with the wider community.
There is often much talk about “church growth” in times of transition. Church growth does not happen automatically. There is no magic wand. However, a church that responds to the needs of those who come is more likely to be a church that will continue a steady ongoing pattern of new generations finding a place to grow in their faith and hear the teachings of Jesus. This is an important ministry that needs an all-out support.
As one of your positive actions to growing Greenbelt Community Church I encourage you to sign up for a Sunday during the worship hour to be with our youngest congregants.
Feel free to talk to Carla Crompton about any questions.
Rev. Clara
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