Promotion and Prize-giving

Along with many other churches across Scotland this Sunday, my congregation will celebrate in worship the attendance of children at Sunday School with prizes and promote those of appropriate age to the next group. It is always an interesting Sunday, as it would appear that only the diehards will be in attendance for this welcoming of young people into the church.

It is a Sunday I find difficult to understand, as I have come from a background where children were encouraged to be part of the main diet of worship, and only the very young were offered an alternative. Yet my own children fit into the pattern of what happens here, and often based on behaviour I thank God for that.

However I know before I prepare prayers that attendance will be down this Sunday and not just amongst the adults who seem to struggle with an annual award ceremony, but also amongst children who by this stage in late June want to be outdoors making the best of the weather. So who or what is this Sunday for?

A more popular combining of adults and children happens at a service later in the year, where the whole church family shares in a worship service that also includes Sunday School type activities. The group gathers for a uniting act of worship and then, in what would be the sermon slot, the congregation splits to take part in art, music, dance, prayer and for those who can't live without a sermon there is a corner of the church dedicated to a sermon. It has only happened on a few occasions but I've been surprised by those who have been willing to embrace an alternative way of worship that includes children as equal participants in the story of God.

There are of course good reasons for some of our folk to be missing this year. A good number will be taking part in a variety of sponsored events this weekend, and I know that as a congregation we offer them all our encouragement in taking part.

However, the storms of the waters felt by the disciples will be lived out for me as once again:

• I feel the frustration that we as God's people claim to welcome children and yet do not support them being there;
• I recognise that what we do as Sunday School is not communicating the thrill and vigour of what it means to be a follower of Christ;
• we turn love of God into a sit down lesson rather than an active movement;
• those calling out the children refuse to use microphones because of course everyone will hear their whisper.

In the midst of all that happens there is the assurance of Jesus's voice calling "Peace, be still!" In that stillness may we be challenged to trust that God will steer the course in seeking new ways of communicating His message with all people.