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| A previous year's presentation of a Dr. Seuss tale. |
On Sunday, April 19, Sarah Storvick, Betsy Hickey and Hannah Koehler used rhyme and story to tell of Resurrection's current facility concerns.
With apologies to Dr. Seuss, we present a brief tale:
At one end of town, where new neighborhoods sprout,
sits a wee little church . . . spacious, glorious land all about.
Sundays and Wednesdays, the building is hopping.
But ideas and dreams, our square footage is stopping.
Programs and people clamor for space.
Getting on the calendar? It’s always a race!
And what about the children who need a quiet space?
How lovely it would be for them to have a comfy place.
Students in grades five and six hike across the plain,
an adventure for some, for others a strain.
And a pain. Some complain. Guests may be filled with disdain.
Can anyone spell chilblain? Is this the right way our children to train?
Classes for grown-ups? Many are yearning,
but there isn’t a space for adults to be learning!
Struggles with allergies? This is truly serious stuff.
Keeping a dear child away—something at the farmhouse makes it too rough.
Eighth graders meeting on nursery chairs,
small group space would be an answer to prayers!
Places to rehearse, to practice, to stage . . .
Constant take-down make Barry and Larry age!
Yet, servants and leaders are creative and clever, sharing God’s love through heartfelt endeavor. Forever.
That is the end of our little story, but the great news is that God’s story for Resurrection is still in its early chapters. What we hope you take from that rhyming riff are two things.
One, we have been witness to amazing creativity over the years, and we are so thankful to work with both adults and children – who are flexible and willing to work with whatever resources and spaces and talents they are given.
One Fish, Too Squished . . . or Oh, The Spaces We Will Grow!
At one end of town, where new neighborhoods sprout,
sits a wee little church . . . spacious, glorious land all about.
Sundays and Wednesdays, the building is hopping.
But ideas and dreams, our square footage is stopping.
Programs and people clamor for space.
Getting on the calendar? It’s always a race!
And what about the children who need a quiet space?
How lovely it would be for them to have a comfy place.
Students in grades five and six hike across the plain,
an adventure for some, for others a strain.
And a pain. Some complain. Guests may be filled with disdain.
Can anyone spell chilblain? Is this the right way our children to train?
Classes for grown-ups? Many are yearning,
but there isn’t a space for adults to be learning!
Struggles with allergies? This is truly serious stuff.
Keeping a dear child away—something at the farmhouse makes it too rough.
Eighth graders meeting on nursery chairs,
small group space would be an answer to prayers!
Places to rehearse, to practice, to stage . . .
Constant take-down make Barry and Larry age!
That is the end of our little story, but the great news is that God’s story for Resurrection is still in its early chapters. What we hope you take from that rhyming riff are two things.
One, we have been witness to amazing creativity over the years, and we are so thankful to work with both adults and children – who are flexible and willing to work with whatever resources and spaces and talents they are given.
And two, we see amazing potential. Ideas that have potential. Children with incredible potential. Youth who are realizing their potential. Hopes and dreams and desires that long to be realized. For the sake of the potential God will bring to us in the years to come, we pray that this congregation can work toward expanding our ability to serve the children and youth moving into our community.
And yet, we do face limits – with busy lives, and overly full calendars, many of you like to combine your visits here – and would love to participate in a Bible study while your children learn at confirmation or in Sunday School. But space limits that.
Others might like to have a team meeting while their students are in confirmation small groups, but no meeting space is left over. Sunday School small group leaders wrestle with the distractions of all meeting in one room, which makes focus difficult. Any of us will happily walk to and through the farmhouse with you if you would like to experience for yourself the pros and cons of that unique space.
We invite you to prayerfully consider what the space needs for children and youth ministry are today, what they may be a few years from now, and what they could be when whatever-child-you-may-visit-with this morning is bringing children of his or her own to worship here. If children bring out any good thing in us, we hope it is thought-filled planning and trust-filled living for those who will come after us. May God find us faithful!
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