When I ask folks at CCUMC, “Who has made a difference in your life of faith?” one of the names that often pops up, especially from our older members, is Mildred Wong. As I understand it, Mrs. Wong cared deeply about the children and youth of CCUMC. She wasn’t just another adult at church but went out of her way to grow and shape the faith of young people. Every week, she got up just that much earlier so that she could make the rounds and pick up children and youth in her van and bring them to church for worship and fellowship. She taught Sunday School and lead youth group. Mrs. Wong was the one who taught Laura, for example, the importance of the practice of tithing (giving 10% of one’s income back to God), something that Laura has committed to and practiced ever since. Mrs. Wong gave many of our current members a strong foundation in faith and taught them the love and grace of God. It is clear that Mrs. Wong impacted the lives of many and, in a very special way, lived out Jesus’ words to his disciples from today’s scripture reading in Mark: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14.)
I wonder what Mrs. Wong might say to us today as we continue to ponder and discern how God is leading us to minister to and with the children and youth in our midst today?
CCUMC is blessed with a small but growing number of children and young people. Some have grown up here, others have connected through the mysterious grace of God. Some come with their parents and families, others are dropped off or come alone, trusting that the church is a good place, a caring place. However, whether they come with families or not, the majority come to 11:00 a.m. worship without the presence of a caring adult to shepherd or accompany them as they worship in the pews. We are also experiencing a great shift in our children and youth Sunday School program. Our leadership is in transition and it is not at all clear what will happen come January. What does it mean for us in real and meaningful ways to “let the children come to Jesus”? How do we do that through our ministries, our worship, and our very lives? How can we do all in our power to remove those things that could be hindering them from coming to know and experience the presence and love of God? Are we willing to extend ourselves in order to teach the children and youth about the beauty, hope and reality of the kingdom of God?
Theses are big questions, maybe even weighty questions. There are no simple answers, and none that will be arrived at without some stretching. But I am convinced that the children and youth amongst us are gifts. They are gifts of grace meant to help us understand, see, and experience the kingdom of God. I am convinced that the children and youth in our midst are also a tremendous invitation, an invitation to make faith real, an invitation to “pass it on”, an invitation to imitate Jesus. The gospel continues, “And Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:16). Will we do the same? Will we invite our children and youth to come to know God’s love through us? Let us continue to be intentional in praying for and about God’s leading.