We all know the ‘stained glass’ version of the story where Jesus makes the radical

connection between the Kingdom of  God and the value of children in the memorable story recorded in all four Gospels.  Jesus’ revolutionary perspective, however, was (and is) that a Kingdom of Children is a Kingdom of Nobodies.  The sad reality in Jesus’ day, (which still sadly persists today in parts of the world),  valued male children above

female children who could be literally ‘cast out’, into the gutter to die, or to be raised for slavery.  A child meant nothing in the

Mediterranean world where paternal power was absolute in the acceptance or rejection of the newly born infant.  The story in Mark 10:13-16 is quite revealing as we hear the words of Jesus overriding the objections of the disciples who were resisting the presence and welcome of children.  Some historians hold that there were those who felt it was the work of the early church to ‘adopt’ these children cast out by a paternalistic society and that the surviving disciples were

resistant, thus Mark’s Gospel story.  The words that Mark uses to describe Jesus

 positive and accepting conduct toward

children is powerfully revealing.  They

reflect the official bodily actions used by a father to accept and welcome the newborn child into the family and NOT to be ‘cast off’ to abandonment or death.  Notice those

framing words: touch, took them in his arms, blessed, laid hands on.       

 

 The care of infants and children is still a challenge for work of the church and we are feeling the call to this ministry in our own faith community.  In short, efforts are

underway to establish an infant care center (2 years of age and under) at Faith Lutheran’s De Soto campus.  The need for safe and competent infant care is sadly lacking for

young working families in our

neighborhood.  To this end, we  are quite blessed in many ways, some listed below: 

·          We have appropriate space to provide this service for as many as 24 infants.

·           Many of the improvements necessary for compliance and licensing have       already been completed.  (Many thanks to Cruz, Ulysses and Bob) and all of the workday volunteers. 

·          Two of our current Council members, Ellen  Harrison and Laurie Delgado, are both credentialed and experienced in the field of Childcare and willing to help manage this program. 

·          This church-owned and operated infant care can provide both educational and employment opportunities for those seeking such.

·           Financial assistance from the State can help subsidize the costs for those       low-income households.

·          The business plan indicates that this

·          program will be sufficiently financially sound so as to allow Faith Lutheran to hire a fulltime Spanish speaking pastor for ministry with our Spanish language members.  (It is my personal hope that we would be able to bring Pastor Cesar Arroyo on board ASAP, notwithstanding the Call process.)

 

 This will be a new phase for Faith Lutheran in the stewardship of our resources and one that will require far more than cashing lease checks.  Granted we will need some ‘start up’ funds, but above all, I ask that each of us lift in prayer all of the children that will be entrusted to our care, their families and for all of the compassionate and professional care-givers.  May God bless our efforts on behalf of these little ones!   (Hey Jesus, we can still hear you…)   

Fallen from the Desk of Pastor Wayne . . .