A Snapshot of Community - January 16, 2012

Yesterday I had the privilege of being invited by a family to come and be a member of the cloud of witnesses that agreed to support both the parents and their child as they raise him in the fear of the Lord. In one of the vows they expressed that with a reliance on the Holy Spirit and with the help of the Christian community, they would do all in their power to instruct these children in the Christian faith and to lead them into the life of Christian discipleship. As the body of Christ we agreed to receive them in love, pray for them, help instruct them in the faith, and encourage and sustain them in the fellowship of believers.  After the service there was a light luncheon. The din of many conversations filled the room as the time of fellowship overtook the space. It was not only a social time; it was also a sacred space. Following the luncheon a celebratory cake was brought out and the family stood behind it for pictures. I happened to be sitting with a few other gentlemen and we jokingly decided that the four of us should get ourselves into the pictures. After many pictures had already been taken, the four of us ended up behind the couple and their children.  We had a bit of a chuckle and so did they. It was while I was there, standing behind them with the three others, that it struck me how appropriate it was. In that picture was a family, supported by two members of their congregation as well as the principals from the Christian grade school and the Christian high school. It shows the commitment of the family to do all in their power to instruct their children in the Christian faith and the commitment from the Christian community to support them. It represented three major influences coming together to support that child: the family, the church, and the school. I wanted to share that moment as it has, once again, a wonderful reminder of how the community of Christ works together. We take our role in instructing the children in the way of the Lord seriously and enjoy our partnerships with families and the churches.  ~ Mr. Bouwers