Today standing in the lovely Autumn sunshine we blew bubbles as part of our Ascension celebrations.
Our church has a deck outside, and after church we all came to be there, standing in the sunshine, watching bubbles rise in the sky.
The kids made Ascension spirals after communion. I had some thin cardboard with the outline of a circle drawn on. The kids cut out the circle, and then cut a spiral out of the paper. It works best of the spiral is thick, only going around twice. Then we poked holes in the centre, threaded some wool through the hole, and tied it onto a stick.
When the kids ran up and down the decking with their ascension spirals, they spun round and round. How lovely to hear the sound of running, laughing children in that peaceful little space between worship and rushing to make lunch, made all the better by a sun warmed face.
If the spiral is made from a foil and hung over a candle, then the air warmed by the candle will rise and cause the spiral to spiral upwards.
We had a new family at church today. Their little 2 year old followed the big kids, sitting where they were sitting, standing when they were standing, holding a candle for the gospel reading. I never cease to be amazed how still a two year old can stand when given the big responsibility of holding a candle next to the priest for the gospel reading. They seem to have such a sense of awe, of ceremony and purpose. And I never cease to be amazed how an 11 year old can have such gentleness, patience and understanding given the big responsibility of having a two year old following his every move.
Now if only I can have the same sense of awe, purpose, gentleness, patience and understanding with three little ones watching my every move as they learn how to live.
Showing posts with label Kids in church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kids in church. Show all posts
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Monastery Visit
Monasteries are pretty normal places. Discussions of monasteries never really came up on the radar for most of my life. Nuns were strange people who wore strange head dresses, flew around on television shows, and prayed all day. Or maybe worked as teachers or nurses. (The name 'monastery' applies to homes for both monks and nuns in the Orthodox church. I like it - there function is the same after all.)
I've heard it told that "Nuns don't do any real work. They just pray all day." Which to me sounds like the hardest work of all.
Yesterday we went to visit a little monastery, it's resident committed to "do what she has to do." It's a normal inner suburban house, the yard full of fruit trees; fig, persimmon, quince, and self sown rocket. Except that the lounge room is a library of books, the hall is lined with little tables covered in brochures about missionaries and theological colleges, there's a men's guest room in the backyard and the garage is a chapel, complete with multiple copies of prayer and service books.
In all the talk of urban monasteries and new monasticism there always seems to be the problem of finding the right building with the most land. Perhaps it's better to start where you are. Although all the more difficult to pray by yourself than with others.
We had the great privilege of sitting around the table in the kitchen to share a meal, while our host buzzed around doing all the things you have to do when you have guests. I felt that it should have been us doing the buzzing, while our host sat down, but this is of course very difficult in someone else's home. We talked about where to find the cheapest supermarkets, and neighbours who help feed the dogs, normal things, except for the brief mention of last night's guest who had required police and ambulance to attend, which reminded me that there was some important God-work going on here.
And then, the great gift for us, we got to go outside and do some gardening. We trimmed vines, pruned bushes and pulled weeds. The kids ran around busy as beavers, enjoying being helpful and useful and part of the 'real work'. They pruned and swept and pulled and discovered, collecting a little bag of flowers and fruit and herbs to bring home.
It was fabulous, and we felt good. Then together we prayed the evening prayers. Although the kids hung upside down off the chairs at the back (what is it with my kids being unable to just sit upright) they did pray and sing along. Perhaps praying together was the most helpful thing for Sister.
I've heard it told that "Nuns don't do any real work. They just pray all day." Which to me sounds like the hardest work of all.
Yesterday we went to visit a little monastery, it's resident committed to "do what she has to do." It's a normal inner suburban house, the yard full of fruit trees; fig, persimmon, quince, and self sown rocket. Except that the lounge room is a library of books, the hall is lined with little tables covered in brochures about missionaries and theological colleges, there's a men's guest room in the backyard and the garage is a chapel, complete with multiple copies of prayer and service books.
In all the talk of urban monasteries and new monasticism there always seems to be the problem of finding the right building with the most land. Perhaps it's better to start where you are. Although all the more difficult to pray by yourself than with others.
We had the great privilege of sitting around the table in the kitchen to share a meal, while our host buzzed around doing all the things you have to do when you have guests. I felt that it should have been us doing the buzzing, while our host sat down, but this is of course very difficult in someone else's home. We talked about where to find the cheapest supermarkets, and neighbours who help feed the dogs, normal things, except for the brief mention of last night's guest who had required police and ambulance to attend, which reminded me that there was some important God-work going on here.
And then, the great gift for us, we got to go outside and do some gardening. We trimmed vines, pruned bushes and pulled weeds. The kids ran around busy as beavers, enjoying being helpful and useful and part of the 'real work'. They pruned and swept and pulled and discovered, collecting a little bag of flowers and fruit and herbs to bring home.
It was fabulous, and we felt good. Then together we prayed the evening prayers. Although the kids hung upside down off the chairs at the back (what is it with my kids being unable to just sit upright) they did pray and sing along. Perhaps praying together was the most helpful thing for Sister.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The youngest one was lying all over the seat and me in church yesterday, when she realised the others were holding candles. So she jumped up and ran across the front of the church to join them just as Fr. John swung the censer towards the congregation. It missed her head by centimetres.
Do you think it's an extra blessing if the censer whacks you in the head?
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