Some of you have had ample time in which to order your books. Others have just joined us on this journey, so you may need a little more time for shipping. Remember, the book is out of print, but used copies are available at amazon.com.
If you want to skip ahead, here's the Foreword, which is written by Marian Wright Edelman. Many of you will know her from the Children's Defense Fund.
Think about Edelman's words - that when she was a child, children were taught, not by sermonizing, but by personal example. Has this been your experience? If so, how? And how do you experience that in the church now? How have we brought this tradition into the future?
Can you imagine taking children to the bedsides of the very ill to tend to their bedsores? It seems that we've worked very hard to shield our children from all that is unsanitary, frightening, unpalatable. Have we done them a disservice?
Edelman says, "I went and learned early just how much the smallest helping hands and kindness can mean to a person in need."
What lessons are now missing in today's society? Today's churches?
How could we teach these valuable lessons while still protecting our children?
What legacies are we leaving the children of today? Madonna sang that we are living in a material world. Is this the legacy we're leaving our children, rather than the lesson of which Edelman speaks, the lessons of "a living faith reflected in daily service, the discipline of hard work and perseverance, and a capacity to struggle in the face of adversity?"
As we begin this study, take a look at your own preconceptions of our society, your personal gifts, the role the church plays in influencing children, and how that all works together to teach children faith and values.
Edelman has set a good goal for us. She writes, "All children should be helped to realize that their compassionate service with and for others is needed. All children should experience the welcome, love, and acceptance of congregation members."
So, put on your working boots, folks. We've a big job ahead of us. But, we've a very capable Spirit to guide us.
Taking a deep breath,
Tamalyn
It's been many months since we've read a book together. Once again, I invite you to join me on a journey. This time, we will focus on the book, Children as Partners in the Church, by D-B and Phyllis Heusser. Even if you only read the forward, which is written by Marian Wright Edelman, you will be thankful you ventured that far. Used copies of the book are available on Amazon. Let me know if you have any difficulties locating it.
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