This past Sunday I had the opportunity to share at the newcomer luncheon what steps a person who is relatively new to ORUCC can take to become more integrated into the ORUCC community and church life. I shared that in the ministry that I help lead, I sometimes hear that what brings families and parents to ORUCC is their concern for their children. They want a strong program that will care for their children’s Spiritual Formation and Christian Education needs. I certainly can appreciate this concern as a parent of an 8 and 6 year old myself. It matters that a church thinks seriously about the programs, experiences and activities it provides for children and youth. It matters that a church takes seriously the spiritual and Christian formation of its young people. And it has been wonderful to watch our children learn and grow by providing life-giving experiences. But I also am enjoying watching what is happening with parents. Parents are making connections with other parents. They are sharing stories and developing trusting relationships with one another. They are finding ways to support one another and grow in faith with one another. They are spending time with one another outside of Sunday mornings. They are finding ways for their own faith to be nurtured and are taking time to do this.
Perhaps for some parents the original idea for becoming a part of ORUCC was their children. But with the passage of time, their reasons have broadened and now include a mention of their own needs as well. And as children see their parents and caregivers growing in their faith and in their relationships with one another, the Christian journey and belonging to a church are experienced as gifts that are life-giving and life-changing.
It fills me with great joy to know that parents are finding ways to have their spiritual needs met. I am grateful for the Spirit of God who is inviting us and prompting us to build trusting relationships with one another. No matter our first initial reason for coming to ORUCC, I hope the reasons for staying and growing in faith and in our relationships with one another continue to multiply and deepen.
