Minister’s April Message
Dear Friends,
The Apostle Paul wrote, ‘When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways’. [1 Corinthians 13:11]. I don’t know who he was referring to but I happen to know lots of adults who still hold on to childish ways. I am thinking especially of all the people here at Greenbank who are getting ready for our annual holiday club for P1 to P7 children in the second week of April.
The Holiday Club is called, ‘Joe’s Café’, because it is going to be based on the story of Joseph as told in the book of Genesis, chapters 37-50. I know the children who take part in the holiday club have great fun and thoroughly enjoy the experience, but I also know the adult volunteers love it too. It’s a chance for grown-ups to play messy games, build up their repertoire of childish jokes and have lots of interesting conversations with children. It is also an opportunity to tell stories in enjoyable ways that help children to understand the bible is about the lives and experiences of real people just like us.
I heard a rumour that there is a possibility that the adult volunteers are all going to get very wet and covered in foam this year. Don’t ask me where to find an example of this in the bible, but perhaps it is enough that it serves as a reminder of what it is like to be a child again. While we adults are not meant to have any use for childish things like self-centredness and petulance, a childlike spirit of innocence and happiness is perhaps worth adopting and holding on to.
So to all the Holiday Club volunteers this year – stay childish and keep teaching children about what it means to love God and others. Thank you for sharing the joy of the blessings we all enjoy as beloved children of God.
Yours,
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