What a great joy and privilege it is to have children … most of the time. They bring so much life wherever they are, and they usually have such a marvelous perspective on life. Like the little boy who went to a wedding. After the service his cousin asked him, how many women can a man marry? “Sixteen”, the boy quickly responded. His cousin was amazed and asked, “how did you know that?” “That’s easy,” he said, “just like the pastor said, 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer.” (Of course, the brides may want equal consideration)

Vacation Bible School is one wonderful way each year that we focus upon our children. What a great time it was last week with all that energy x 130! Erin Flowers and all her cohort of volunteers did a fabulous job of giving these kids a High Seas Adventure to remember. Who knows what fruit these seeds will bring. Thanks to all who helped make it such a great time. The music is still playing in many ears … & it makes you want to “Move, Move, Move!” Move in the Spirit, that is, not “move away” or otherwise as the Connections Service observed.

Another way we’ve loved many children was through the ABC 123 Backpack Give-Away this past Saturday. Jane Darden & many volunteers from Forest Lake UMC did a remarkable job of supplying 258 children with school supplies. It was a massive undertaking requiring a great deal of time and money. So again, thanks to all who volunteered & contributed. This is an investment in the future that you all can have great satisfaction in, even if the media didn’t give you much credit. But then I know you did it because you care, not for publicity. This is Kingdom work. Well done!

One more way you can be a part of our church’s effort to love children is by helping staff our church’s new Welcome Center that will become a reality in the coming months. Every day we have many children and their parents coming through our front door. Our Welcome Center will be a way for us to extend warm hospitality to all who enter our church, and it will also be a great way for us to ensure their safety by carefully monitoring who is coming in and out of our building. We want someone in the Welcome Center during our regular operating hours – Monday – Friday (7 AM to 5:30 PM), Wednesdays 5:30 – 7:30 PM, and Sundays (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM). This will take a lot of people, I know, but it is essential that we do this. If hospitals can do it, surely we can. For example, if 28 people would serve 2 hours/week, we would be fully covered. If you could serve more or less, there is a place for you. This will make an important difference in our church. I hope you will be a part of it. Call (758-6667) or come by the church office, & we’ll be happy to have you included. Thanks!

Chris