Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing.
– Psalm 127:3 (GNT)
This week, I am thinking about the children. How can so much happen in such a short time? Two weeks ago I was reflecting on blessing our children in worship and as they excitedly prepared for that first day of school. Since last week’s tragedy at Annunciation Church and School, the verses from Lamentations 3 echo in my mind. Long ago, that writer was reflecting on a terrible circumstance and said, “My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me.” (Lam. 3:20 NRSVUE). We can’t stop thinking of the heartbreak and trauma of parents, students, teachers, staff, pastors, and all who grieve.
Events like this upend all of us: parents, grandparents, teachers, administrators, staff, pastors, church staff, emergency responders, and of course – the children. Our precious children of God should never ever have to worry about being trained and prepared for what to do when there is an active shooter in their school or church. Lord, have mercy, what have we come to?!
This week we must hold a tension of thoughts as we think of our children and young people: excitement and fear, joy and heartbreak, hope and cries for help. The writer of Lamentations knows this reality, too:
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” – Lam. 3:21-24 (NRSVUE)
It is not that our trust in God’s love erases the grief. It is not that God’s faithfulness makes everything rosey. It is that in the midst of whatever difficult or impossible circumstance we are experiencing, God’s long arm of love has the power to reach into that pain and hold us close. In Jesus Christ crucified and risen, we see that it is so.
It is said that among the Masai tribe of Africa, people greet one another saying, “And how are the children?” And the traditional answer is, “All the children are well.” The response means that things are good and that everyone is safe and at peace. What a powerful greeting for our time: How is it with our children and the children of our communities?
As we continue to send off our kiddos with fresh excitement for a new school year AND mourn the heartbreak of last week, please continue to make use of the resource created by the six Minnesota ELCA Bishops here.
As our prayers move us to action, consider creating a time for conversation in your congregation or community. Lutherans know the importance of education; and we know that education can lead to well-informed action. The time is right to open up the ELCA’s Social Message on Gun-Related Violence. A resource like this provides a framework for healthy conversation on a difficult topic. Recognize that we all will not agree with every sentence in our studies, but commit to listening intently to others as a first step toward action.
In last year’s synod-wide listening process, our people indicated that our highest priority for ministry is children, youth, and families. We want to draw in the energy and joy of young people. But we honestly must ask ourselves whether our desire is to “keep the doors open” or to help our young people grow as disciples of Jesus and right now.
Last Sunday I had the joy of seeing how one congregation in a small town lives out the importance of their children right now. The pastor began worship remarking on how different things felt that day because…..there weren’t many children present. I figured that was just a reference to the fact that it was Labor Day weekend and people were gone. What she meant however, was that because it was a holiday weekend and there weren’t as many children present, they were in need of worship leaders. There were no children serving as ushers, so she asked for a grown-up to help out. There were no basket-holders for Communion, so she asked for a grown-up to step up and help. In a beautiful way, the pastor had flipped everyone’s thinking and normalized the fact that in that congregation, children are the leaders right now. Their presence was not relegated to “Youth Sunday” as the time when the grown-ups “let” the young people “take over” worship. In this church, the presence of children and grandchildren is expected, essential, recognized, and a gift that is named and included every day.
Finally, I hope you will make plans now to send a group of people from your congregations to attend Synod Equipping Day, Saturday, November 8, 9am-2:30pm at Peace Lutheran in New London. Rev. Todd Buegler will keynote the day with, Rooted in Belonging: Fresh Paths for Youth and Family Ministry. The Synod Youth Band will lead us in song. So come and bring a carful of friends!
Our goal is for every child to know they are a beloved child of God, a gift of God, a real blessing to all who know them. As this new school year is still beginning, we send our young people out the door with our love. We can also dial-up our family’s God talk and send them out the door with God’s love: the sign of the cross + - the reminder of baptism traced on their forehead, a promise that Jesus loves them and is with them, and the blessing of God’s faithfulness – all of these help form the foundation of a living faith today.
May we use our voices and our feet to ensure that every child is beloved and safe and at peace. May it be well with all the children.