Children’s birthday parties
In light of a busy 1st year old’s party yesterday, I’ve been asking myself as a parent, why we put ourselves through the mill of organising children’s birthday parties?
There are the inevitable tantrums, fights (kiddies, not usually parents), over-consumption of junk food and cake smeared everywhere around the house.
So why do we do it? For me, it is because I want my children to be part of a community, to learn about friendship and sharing. Mess can be cleared up, laughter is precious.
And I think there is a similarity in why we want children in our churches - so that they feel welcome as part of the church family and recognise it as a place that they can grow and learn and be forgiven for the odd tantrum or biscuit stamped on the carpet!
Idealistic Advent
It seemed a great idea when I bought an Advent candle. We would light it each day and for the few minutes it burned would sit round the table as a family and sing some carols and play some music together.
We lasted 2 days.
Last night the candle was lit while we were glued to the latest edition of “The Farmer wants a Wife” on German TV. Still no marriage proposals but lots of strange potential mother-in-laws and rotund farmers eating sausage!
We’ll try again tonight with the candle and no TV!
On my travels
I had a lovely trip to Christ Church, Duns yesterday. I feel priviledged to be able to visit other churches, recieve a great welcome and hospitality and it is all part of my work.
I did learn yesterday not to make big presumptions. For example, presuming that people in the Borders towns want to, or often nip up to, Edinburgh for things. I think the Diocese will have to come to the Borders or I’ll have to arrange a really, really exciting event to tempt them up.
Here’s hoping the really, really exciting event that we started planning at the Ecumenical Forum last Friday will fit the bill!
