Making a Home for Faith: An Invitation to Parents
Gretchen S. Jordan, Christian Education Director

“Hear, O Israel: God is our God, God alone. You shall love your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4–9

Patrick D. Miller writing his commentary on Deuteronomy notes that this passage forms the centerpiece of the book because these are the most important words for those who would cross the border to live as God’s people in the place and in the way that God has set for them. I think it is an important passage for those of us who are parenting. How do we help to form the faith of our children? How do we call forth the God presence within? How do we continue to grow in our own faith? What is the role of the church? Is it a partnership? What factors and experiences affect our movement along the journey? How do we “make a home for faith”?

Nelle Morton, theologian and educator, once said she had come to realize that “home was not a place. Home is a movement, a quality of relationship, a state where people seek to be their own and increasingly responsible for their world.” The tension present in the metaphor, “making a home for faith” is one of affirming a life lived in the assurance of the presence of God while acknowledging the difficult challenge of living faithfully in the world in response to our baptism. It is not an easy task. Together we can share the awesome responsibility.

In upcoming months—November, January, and February—there will be opportunities for parents of specific-aged children to meet together with our educator, Gretchen Jordan. These discussions will focus on making a home for faith, ministry with children and families, at the Chapel of the Cross. To keep the groups small, parent volunteers will be calling to invite you to attend one of the sessions, or you may sign up if slots are available on the list posted on the Christian Education bulletin board in the dining room.

On November 3, 10, and 24, there will be opportunities for parents of preschool-aged children; on January 5, 12, and 19, parents of younger elementary children will meet (K, 1st & 2nd grade); and on February 2, 9, and 16, older elementary parents (3rd, 4th, & 5th) will convene.

These opportunities will be held during the Church School hour, 10:15 – 11:05, in Room 31 on the second floor of the Battle building.