By Kay

As I settle into the role of Director of Children's Ministry here at Transfiguration, I can't help but think back to my own experience in Children's Ministry at a rural church in Pennsylvania. It was a small, tight-knit community where a typical Sunday School attendance was around five children, me included. Two ladies from the church held all the Children Ministry titles: Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher, VBS Director, Pageant Leader etc. One of them was even the church organist, so she provided the music every Sunday morning.  Volunteers were few and far between. Somehow, despite holding all these roles, they still attended our sporting events, theatre productions, and supported every school fundraiser. Surprisingly, they even had time for all the questions that I came prepared with week after week.

However, what truly sticks out to me the most about my time in Children's Ministry was how passionate they were about being more than teachers and leaders. Their passion was in forming relationships and truly modeling Christian Life to all who were blessed to know them. Their passion, whether intentional or not, allowed the Sunday School stories and songs to become more than lessons. We could see how these Bible stories played out in the lives of those around us.

The theme of connection and relationship building has continued to shape the way I understand not only my own Christian Formation in adulthood, but it has essentially formed the way I see myself doing ministry today. A deep connection has been formed between formation and community. A sense of belonging and picturing a place for us. I see this connection playing out in a profound way here at Transfiguration, and I am so excited and humbled to be a part of it in the lives of our children and their families. As Bonhoeffer states:

Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this. Whether it be a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ.[1]

Christian community, with this definition in mind, is the framework for my thoughts moving forward as the Director of Children's Ministry. I love seeing the children excited to retell the Bible stories in Children's Chapel, explore with awe and wonder in Godly Play, and come together in joy over donuts on the playground. May we build upon that joy and excitement as we form together in community around our children in formation. May we continue to be the role models and examples of what it means to strive to be more Christlike. May we continue to collaborate in shared life with one another in a way that carries us closer in relationship with God.

My abiding hope is that my leadership over Christian Ministry is seen more as an opportunity for collaboration with the broader parish to love, form, and guide the future of the Church together. I want Sunday mornings to feel like a weight off our shoulders as we come into communion with one another. As we share our stories, joys, and sorrows together, the formation begins to take a more tangible approach. We begin to prioritize our time together in Christian formation.

May we treat each encounter with Children's Ministry, whether a "single encounter" or a "fellowship of years," as an opportunity to build relationships and be a guide of how Christian life is played out in our everyday lives.

Kay

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[1] Bonhoeffer, D. (1954). Life together: The Classic Exploration of Christian community. HarperOne.