What We Teach Our Children
“A wise person truly said, “It ought to be as impossible to forget that there is a Christian in the house as it is to forget that there is a ten-year-old boy in it.” -- Roger J. Squire
One of the fascinating things about the Bible is that even in today’s secular society, there are sayings, phrases that we use but don’t realize when we speak them that we’re quoting Scripture. For instance, how many times have we heard that someone who is leaving a job or who is retiring, is “passing the mantle” to someone assuming the role? In saying someone is “passing the mantle,” that word “mantle” as another word for a person’s cloak. When we receive the “mantle” of responsibility from another, we are invested with the responsibility of that role, and for upholding the values of the person before us.
Church Services on Sunday
Sunday services are presented online via Zoom on Sundays at 10 a.m. To join, open this link.
You may also view our services on our Facebook Channel. The livestream will begin at 10 a.m. Replays will be available immediately following the service. Go to www.FaceBook.com/DanburyChurch/Videos.
This phrase comes directly from this Sunday’s Hebrew Bible reading where the prophet Elijah, realizing that God has come to take him up to heaven, tosses his mantle to the young man who has been like a son to him. And as he picks up the mantle, his spiritual “son” Elisha, acquires the wisdom and knowledge of Elijah, who taught him well.
What We Teach Our Children
My big question today is, in this time where we’re all physically distanced from each other -- and especially from our Church School kids -- what are we doing to continue a sense of Christian values that one day, we hope, they will take to lead their lives and our future? I’ve been pleased to see in Facebook posts so many of our First Church families who have shared the ways that they are using this time away from the Church sanctuary with the family to teach their children -– lessons about gardens, and hiking and growing.
I also have every confidence that our Church parents are spending some time talking about their beliefs, about the way that God manifests in the world around them, and in this sad era of negativity in the world, how our kindness, compassion and actions for others bring light to the world.
Take on Something Simple for Lent
Next week on Wednesday, the period we call Lent begins. For the next 40 days, our purpose should be to become better people, better Christians than we are at the moment. This Lent, instead of giving something up, how about taking on something simple? I’m asking all of us to find a glass jar — like a jelly jar — and put it on our kitchen table. At the end of the day, if we have spare change, no matter how small lying around, let’s add it to our Jelly Jar Generosity. Kids can find innovative ways to add something to the jar.
Support The Bridge to Independence and Career Opportunities
This year, after consulting with our Outreach Chair, Heidi Palmer, I am suggesting that what we collect by the time Easter rolls around will be given to local charity TBICO -The Bridge to Independence and Career Opportunities.
At a time when so many have lost their jobs TBICO reaches out to people when they are at the end of their ropes. As TBICO describes itself: “Our population includes people who are unemployed or underemployed, with a great many being dislocated workers downsized after years of working and in need of retraining. Some are displaced homemakers who suddenly find themselves the family breadwinner as a result of divorce or the death or disablement of a spouse.”
There is never a charge. The program is especially vital to women raising families and suddenly left to put food on the table.
On Easter Sunday we will tally up our Jelly Jar Generosity and share the results with you all as we bring light and a chance for self-sufficiency to so many in the greater Danbury area. And be sure to join us online Ash Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Facebook Live when we will bring you beautiful contemplative music and an ashless blessing to start Lent off right.