Caroline Noll, Associate Pastor, Pastor for Children and Families
| I love summer ministries with the church. Yes, they are hard work and we are all exhausted at the end of the week. During these weeks, however, we are given the opportunity, the invitation, permission to focus on the work of the spirit in the life of the church and in the lives of children. I love that I have a job that says, “Go! Spend time with children!” It is a blessing! During this past week of K.A.M.P! (Kids for Arts, Music and Praise!), my primary job was to take pictures. (Now to be clear, Jim Bird takes the beautiful photos. They are truly works of art!) I zip from room to room, pop in here and there, crash every class, and try to capture the week, the faces and the moments. I want our church and our families to witness parts of our children’s lives that sometimes escape our notice. Did you know your kid could get lost in painting and shapes and textures? Look at the new friends and community they are surrounded with, all here to encourage and laugh and create! Look at their focus, determination and imagination! With pictures we capture a bit of joy and presence and wonder. Being able to take a week to take pictures reminds me of the Mary and Martha story. “Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’” – Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV) Yes, summer can be busy and full and demand as much energy as it gives. But there’s also a beautiful invitation to be in the moment, to notice what is going on around us, to be a part of the work of the spirit. We can do that when, like our camera, we zoom in, focus, relish the moments and give thanks to God for the people, the ministries, the kingdom of God we witness in part. May such moments be yours this season. Caroline Noll Associate Pastor Pastor for Children and Families |
First Reflections 