Why do we organise a holiday club for "only" eighteen children (if you read my earlier post, we had a few extras as the week went on)? Each year the sceptics ask me whether it's really worth all this effort for so few children and when (so far) none actually start coming to church. Each year I bite my tongue, acknowledge their concern and wish that rather than questioning they'd commit just an hour or two to get involved in it. Granted, it's not everyone's cup of tea (though seeing the local clergy in shorts and Egyptian wigs/hairdos has got to be worth a laugh) but it really is worthwhile.
This year our children really learned to work together in some of the team tasks, learned to share and take turns, and discovered some of their unique gifts and skills. We thought quite a lot about families - about how brothers and sisters can fall out; about how people can be mean or sneaky; and we also thought about love and forgiveness. We changed the (naff in my view) memory verse for a modern rendering of Psalm 46:1-2a 'God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble, so we will not be afraid' and used it to encourage the children to think about God's presence.
Sure, we prayed about wobbly teeth and injured cats, but these are important to our children. At their request we also prayed for orphans and for people affected by the plane crash in Russia and for a big sister who is in the army. Today, in our last prayer time one little girl said "I wish Jesus was still alive" - what a gift of a comment, opening the way to share something of how he lives in our hearts and is our special friend. No altar calls, no "sinners' prayer," just a week of fun and discovery under the quiet gaze of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph and Jesus... and of each of us.
Why do we do it? Because they're worth it.
Comments
Yes, they are worth it (this from somebody who hasn't taken part in a holiday club for quite a while).
who knows what seeds are planted that might come to fuitition later or elsewhere. If all your hard work was instrumental in bringing just one child to know God, would it be worth it? Yes, of course
I think that 18 is a really good number of children - the media would have us believe that nobody at all is interested - plus it allows a bit of personal attention if needed while still spreading a message across a reasonable audience.
P
ps Black is a shade, not a colour
Hi Peter, thanks for the message.
You are of course right that black is not technically a colour, but then neither is brown (technically a shade of yellow!) or white or grey... perhaps next year we get togther and run a physics holiday club?! God and science - now that really would get people going!!!
Oh Catriona, why did you have to encourage him????? I've been reading your blogs for months now and enjoyed the comments without ever feeling the need to join in. And now this.
You have no idea how many times in the last 12 years I have been treated to the dissertation on why black is not a colour. He has even succeeded in brain washing the children, so that they recently felt the need to inform their teachers of this amusing fact. Aforementioned teachers no longer look me in the eye at the school gates...
Please cease and desist from any further discussions of clolous versus shades forthwith. Otherwise you may find yourself an accessory to a serious domestic!!
Of course I still love you both really....... and wholeheartedly concur with all the sensible comments about why it is always worth it.
Elaine
PS I'm submitting an application in his name to the producers of grumpy old men!
Hi Elaine, sorry! Did not realise this was such a thorny topic. Will certainly desist fifth-with! Sorry for dragging you into commenting too - will try to let you return to being amused by others. :-)