Gaye Lynn Huddleston When I became a parent, I believed my husband and I had all the tools necessary to raise our children. Sure, I thought I might ask for a bit of advice along the way, from our parents and godparents. I had no idea how often I would be reaching out, in order to bring my children up to know all that is just and true and good. Parenting is demanding on the best days, such as when a child has just taken their first steps or won an award. It is obviously more challenging on days when we fear for their health, safety and stability. Turning to others for guidance and wisdom, as we parent, is natural. The question then becomes, “To whom should we turn?”

Thank God for our Transfiguration community. We meet our daily challenges from a Christian standpoint, not a humanist one. And because of this, we are compelled to reach out to our faith community for advice, support and celebration. The investment made by getting to know and be known by our faith family is priceless. It gives us resources and reassurances when we are joy filled and when we are most in need. I see this happening daily at Transfiguration. I listen to conversations that assure me deep connections are taking place here. Phone calls, emails and Facebook posts, remind me that our shared faith binds us, one to another, in a way that cannot be met in the secular world.

You help me parent wisely. Conversely, as your Children’s minister, this gives my job focus. Each time I create a program, I ask myself these questions: Is this offering something our parish families can only get by being a part of a faith community? Could this program be found in and satisfied by the secular world? If the answer to the second question is “yes,” then I reconsider.

I believe it is our job, as parents, to ask similar questions of our parenting. Are our decisions based on the fact that we are first and foremost Christian? Where do the secular and sacred come together or diverge in our lives? What resources does our community of faith offer us that cannot be found in the world beyond its borders?

We make parental choices every day that have far reaching consequences. These decisions do not need to be made alone. If you find you need guidance, come to us. When you lack courage to make a hard decision, reach for a hand here. If your family has a reason to celebrate, share with us, your larger family. Belonging to a community of believers allows us to both give our gifts and to receive from the wealth of others among us. It requires investment and commitment. This is what it means to be a part of our family.

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP p. 829)

by Gaye Lynn Huddleston