Loaves, Fishes, Breakfast Bars & Jesus Bread

Sunday a child had a cereal bar at church. (Okay, let's be honest....it was one of MY children....and no, I didn't manage to sit them down to eat before church....but I usually do and church was an hour early and...well, you don't need to hear all about it...)

The child with the cereal bar, with adult encouragement, offered some to another child.

As the child with cereal bar broke a piece off and gave it to another child the image reminded me of a celebrant breaking a piece of bread and offering it to a person receiving communion.

But that's not even the most cool part.

When I asked if they knew what it reminded me of when they broke off a piece of the bar and gave it to the other child, an 8 year old piped in and said:

Jesus. Jesus giving people what they need.

The Big Change Next Week

Beginning Jan. 20th, children of all ages, and parents who wish to accompany them, are invited to the gathering room during the 10AM service after the Collect of the Day. We will take kid friendly approaches to explore readings of the day or other relevant themes as well as prepare for participation in other parts of the service. We will rejoin the full congregation just before the prayers. Following the service art and craft materials will be available in the front of the church. Everyone is welcome to use them.

When Can We Hear the Story?

I was pleased that when my kids missed a session of the progressive Godly Play Advent/Christmas/Epiphany story, they asked when I would tell it to them! They even brought it up more than once!

I was also pleased to hear that another family liked the stories enough that they became a topic of conversation at their house Sunday evenings.

Something good was going on there.

A Great Book for Next Year

"Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect"

by Richard H Sheneider

Illus by Elizabeth J Miles

Abingdon Press, Nashfield

An evergreen hoping to be chosen as the queen's Christmas tree gives shelter and food to animals in the forest, giving up its aspirations of perfection in the process. Unexpectedly the tree is honored as the queen's choice.

The story itself is much more compelling than my simple summary. It's interesting and rich with multiple points of meaning and metaphor.

It manages this without being either strained with complexity or overly simplistic, at least until the last line when the meaning of the story is stated. As good stories & metaphors often are, the meaning is too rich and the possibilities for application too many to be well served by a single statement.

I became aware of this book too late to use this season, but it's on my list for next year. I also want to check on the video version The Resource Center for Churches has.

Finally, thank you Patty for keeping children's ministry in mind, for lending me your book and for making me aware of such a delightful story.