|
The Children
International China Concern, Hakuna Matata Children’s Choir, and Sunday School
Suffer the Little Children… In Matthew 19:13-15 Children were being brought to Jesus but the disciples, speaking sternly to those who brought them, told them to take them away. Jesus instructs the disciples to let the children come to him so they may be blessed and tells all who are listening that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. Jesus then laid his hands on them and went on his way. Yes, the children are important to the Holy One, to Jesus, to their parents and caregivers and to everyone of faith. Children are important to all of us and so, as we do every year, we relaunch our Children’s ministries.
Welcome Back… This Sunday, September 13th, is a big day for the parish as many of us will now have ended our summertime wanderings and holidays and return to regular timetables and day to day activities. Work, school, clubs and organizations, Monday lunches, Men’s breakfasts, ACW meetings and so many other things that are a part of our collective lives are back on schedule. Then there are the children. They go back to school. Older youth and young adults go to college or university, trades schools, or perhaps will begin careers.
As we have grown up, most of us have been loved, nurtured, guided, and encouraged all along the way. Extended families, education, organizations for children, and faith communities are all a large part of a child’s upbringing and formation. Still, there are many who do not receive the kind of nurture that is really needed to bring out their gifts and grow to the full stature of who they might be.
For the Love of the Children… There are a number of passages in the New Testament when children are brought to Jesus for healing. They are children of both the great and powerful and of the poor and humble.
In Mark 5:21-43, Jesus brings the 12 year old daughter of Jairus, the synagogue leader back to life
In John 4:46-54, Jesus heals the son of a royal official from some distance off. When Jesus tells him the child will live and to go back home to Capernaum, he believes Jesus and heads home. On the way he meets others who tell him his son is indeed alive and well.
In Mark 9:14-29, After coming down from the mount of the Transfiguration, Jesus heals a boy with an unclean spirit who had been suffering seizures. The disciples were unable to heal him.
In Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus heals the daughter of a Canaanite Woman, a Gentile, who was demon-possessed.
In Luke 7:11-17. Jesus raises from the dead the son of a widow as he was entering the town of Nain.
Jesus brought healing to many children who were loved and needed healing just as much as any adult.
The Love of the Children Continues – At the 10am service on September 13th, we will install and bless the Sunday School teachers. We will bless the children. We will bless those who will love and care for the children and youth of the parish as they help them grow into the fulness of their lives, gifts, and faith to be just who the Holy One would have them be. How fortunate are we that we live in a place and society that honours children in our midst.
Hakuna Matata & International China Concern… We were to have welcomed the Hakuna Matata Children’s Choir at our service today but they were unable to travel to Canada to be with us here at St. Cuthbert’s. Most of the choir’s children are from the slums and from very poor backgrounds in Kenya. Their website states that the ‘Children’s Choir is dedicated to spreading love, hope and joy while raising awareness for the desperate plight of orphans and other vulnerable children.’
International China Concern has had a similar ministry, not choir oriented in their context, but dedicated to caring for neglected, disabled children in particular. ICC offers a deep and abiding love that the children they care for may also live in hope and joy. St. Cuthbert’s has been associated with ICC for many years. We welcome Mr. David Gotts to share with us the current work and ministries of ICC during the Children’s Focus.
God’s love for children of all ages is important to us all. We live in a loving community that cares for the children. There are many others around us, visible and invisible, who suffer, who are hungry, who need love and guidance, nurturing and encouragement. As Jesus says, let them come unto him. Let them come to us for the love and care they need. Let us open our eyes. hearts, ears, and arms to welcome them in our midst. Let us support others who are deeply involved with ministries to the young, for such as these does the Kingdom of Heaven belong.’
With grace and peace,
Rev. Stephen Laskey
| 
