Dear Friends in Christ—
One of the delights of getting to know Grace Church is talking to people about their children. Listening to a parent talk about his or her child—accomplishments, foibles, talents, quirks—is getting to see love on display.
Another delight is listening to non-parents talk about their children. Youth leaders, Sunday School teachers, and so many others are connected to the young people with whom they work. One of the values that I have seen here—and a value that I share—is that all of the children in this parish belong to all of us. The child in the next pew is my responsibility and my gift, no matter who brought her to church.
On Father’s Day, it seems appropriate that we celebrate this connection. And it seems right that we think about extending it.
This is the season for supporting the Haiti Micah Project, an initiative that provides food, clean water, health care, and education to children in one of the poorest areas of the world. Grace Church has long-standing relationship with the project. When you support the program, you make a double witness: you show your love and commitment to a child you have never met—and in doing so make a demonstration of God’s love and care, as well.
There are opportunities closer to home, as well. We are in the process of recruiting Sunday School teachers for next year. The church is looking for people to work with youth, too.
God has taught us all to be fathers and mothers and parents—whether we have kids of our own or not.
In Christ,
Anne+