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From the Rector

The Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams

Dear Friends,

At Holy Baptism parents and godparents promise that they will be "responsible for seeing that the child [they] present is brought up in the Christian faith and life." The congregation then pledges to "do all in [its] power to support these persons in their life in Christ." All of us, then, play a significant role in the forming and support of our children -- and they all are our children.

At the Chapel of the Cross, we are privileged and blessed by our ministry with young people. Many generations have grown up in this parish and gone on to fruitful lives in the Church, in the local community, and beyond. Those recently joining the Peace Corps, the South American Missionary Society, and the ranks of ordained clergy, are but most obvious examples. In recent decades, we have had an abundance of young people at every age level: from the nursery through preschool through primary and intermediate years through middle and high school ages. Unlike many parishes, our ministry continues with college students, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as numerous young adults, including now our Johnson Interns.

To support these children from their infancy right up into young adulthood is a great privilege and responsibility for us. We have many programs designed to help accomplish this, and many of you take direct roles by teaching classes, shepherding junior choristers, leading youth groups, adopting students, mentoring Johnson Interns, etc. Many others of us fulfill other important roles of encouragement, prayer, and financial support.

This issue of "Cross Roads," focused on Christian education, lays out for us important aspects of this important formational ministry. Christian education offers particular ways in which we can bring our children up in the Christian faith and life and support them in their life in Christ. It also makes available to all children of God of any age the opportunity "to grow into the full stature of Christ." Especially if we want to assist our young people in their journey in faith, we must also attend to our own.

As we begin another school year, let us be grateful for the gift of the children and young people of our parish and for the opportunity of supporting them along their way. Let their dedication and creativity also inspire ours. Let us continue to take seriously the faithfull fulfillment of the responsibilities we promise to them and to God at Holy Baptism.

--Stephen

© 2001: Chapel of the Cross