Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Hosea Chapter 6, verse 6: For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Today ends the first Sunday school year in 7 that I have not been responsible for coordinating two or more Sunday Schools. I’ve been able to focus on one age group this year – the 10:15 Team, originally founded by Terry Godfrey. Letting go and trusting others has been difficult, but rewarding, because I no longer feel that the Sunday Schools depend solely upon me.

Today is also a transition for me personally since my youngest child is moving out of the “Young Children’s” Sunday Schools. She turns 11 in the fall and so will be joining the Journey group from which, as a parent, I am banned from teaching. Thus, she moves further out of my sphere of influence. Also, the large group of children we honor today moving with her into the Rite 13 program is the first to have completed the renewed Sunday School as a group, beginning with pre-school. These kids were all about 18 months old when I joined St. Margaret’s – was that yesterday?

As a parent, this brings home for me the fact that I really have only a short period of time to directly influence my children as a teacher. The role of a parent – providing loving boundaries within which children can feel safe and grow – is very different. Teaching can be part of it, but that is not the focus. I’ve learned that one’s children only really listen unconditionally when they are very young. Very soon, they begin to want to find their own spirituality and their own place in the world outside the safety of their family. Eventually, acting in the role as a teacher/guide for one’s own child becomes impossible – something I’ve had to find out the hard way.....

When I first started working with the Sunday Schools, I thought that parent-teachers would be the most effective Sunday School leaders. However, as my own children grew and challenged me and as I read more about children’s spirituality (NB – I recommend Robert Cole’s book called The Spiritual Life of Children), I came to realize that non-parent teachers and guides are really vital to the success of our youth program. Parents can only successfully teach their own children up to a certain age. Thus, while the role of a parent is essential, something as important as teaching about God cannot be left to parents alone. That’s why I have come to believe that we as a parish are all responsible for all of the children in our parish. Raising a child is much more than simply offering them a place in a family – for example, our youth learn every Sunday from being a part of our community how adults in community behave together. Non-parent teachers can offer guidance and teaching over a broader period and for a much longer time than a parent and are essential for our youth’s growth as Christian people.

As Episcopalians, we are called and agree to do all in our power to support those who are baptized. We make those promises each time there is a baptism. This does not mean that everyone has to teach Sunday School. Everyone has a role to play – some of us are parents, some feel called to directly support our youth through teaching, guiding or serving as chaperones and others provide examples for youth to follow as they grow into their adult selves. Simply developing casual relationships with other adults who practice Christian values can influence decisions made later in life. Instilling knowledge of and trust in God along with modeling its application helps our children move forward with confidence as into adulthood and become productive members of the greater society.

Much has changed in the Episcopal Church since I was a child – and much has stayed the same. The same can be said for my Mother’s generation. And so our children and youth will say when they stand and speak in a few years. The continued growth and transformation of our faith will ultimately be theirs to determine, and so we must provide them with the tools and the knowledge to carry on. As adult Christians, it is our calling to teach our faith so that our faith becomes theirs.

Today’s lessons emphasize the strong faith and trust in God that must be present for true accomplishment. Abraham’s steadfast faith in God and love for his wife founded the people that gave birth to Jesus. Paul in his letter to the Romans further tells us that by faith in Jesus we are saved. The Gospel illustrates Jesus’ power over our greatest uncertainty and fear in life – that of death – and equates faith to healing. Hosea, through what I read at the start makes the essential connection between steadfast love and knowledge of God.

Our youth guides, Sunday School teachers, pageant directors, field-trip chaperones and all who directly serve our youth manifest their steadfast by investing their knowledge, time and sometimes treasure for the benefit of our children and youth. Through their efforts, the transformation of our faith will continue to be grounded in knowledge of God and the example of Christ. And so, as we honor our youth today, we must also honor those among us who have chosen to directly serve our youth. As a parent, I am ever grateful for their efforts in helping my children move to a greater understanding of our faith and how to express it in their lives. As a current teacher and sometimes coordinator, I am also proud to count myself as one of them. And, of course, I am ever hopeful that more parishioners will feel called to join in this vital ministry. Amen