South Presbyterian Church

Children's and Family Ministry News from South Presbyterian Church

October 2006

Sing to the Lord a New Song — Donna Frischknecht

Anyone who knows me knows I love church music. Traditional hymns, spirituals, chants—even contemporary praise—all have a place in my heart. My love, though, for music doesn’t mean I am musically gifted. That is a gift the Lord has not blessed me with. But it hasn’t stopped me from belting out a hymn that I love at the top of my voice. Because when I am singing I am praying and I can feel the Holy Spirit moving in my heart and soul.

Singing has also been the best way in which I have learned about what the Reformed faith means. The sovereignty of God, the grace of God, the providence of God, God in three persons, the love of God—all were relayed to me early in my childhood through song. And, as I got older, concepts that I didn’t quite grasp as a child began to make complete sense.

Now while I would put myself in that category of “those who can’t sing” (or others who have overheard me sing would put there) it has not squashed my passion for music.

In fact, the older I get the more passionate I become in making sure our children do not miss out on the gift of music that exists in the church. For it is a gift that I believe can truly teach our children the foundational beliefs of what it means to be Presbyterian.

the traditional hymns that teach the faith is just not as strong as it once was. Sure there is some singing, but many Christian educators say that catchy songs being taught to children today do nothing to teach the faith. I have to agree.

There are many songs out there where children will be entertained by cute words and an upbeat tune, but where is the substance?

This is where the church of the present cannot turn its back on the traditions of the past and needs to make more of an effort teaching the next generation the faith through song.

Not convinced? Consider this. Chaplains tending the elderly will tell you that while dementia and Alzheimer’s rob a person of memory, the one thing that never leaves them are the hymns of their childhood. Hymns in which the words are rich with meaning.

Now consider this. According to John Bell, author of A Singing Thing, a child born in the 1970s or later who in the year 2060 or so finds himself or herself in a geriatric ward will probably have this ditty to draw on: If I were a fuzzy wuzzy bear, I’d thank the Lord for my fuzzy wuzzy hair.

Luckily, South Presbyterian Church is a church that has always placed an emphasis on music — especially music for children. And music has been a crucial part of Family Matters since it started in the winter of 2005. Through Family Matters, we have seen our children sing more often in service, sharing with us their gift for music and sharing with us the faith through song. We thank Julie Averill for her leadership and her talent that helped to launch the music portion of Family Matters.

This year though, the Christian Nurture Committee and family members who actively participate in Family Matters have increased its commitment to teaching our children the faith through music. As part of this commitment the Session in September voted to approve the appointment of Cyndi Kumor to oversee music for Family Matters. We are all very excited and thrilled to have Cyndi’s talent shine even more brightly here at South and we praise God for her modeling to our children how singing is really one of the most beautiful ways to pray. We look forward to the coming year hearing the children sing. And I, perhaps, might even learn how to sing on key!

Naming the Animals—Teaching Children to Care for Creation

When Christians talk about stewardship many times they are thinking in terms of dollars and cents. Yet stewardship also applies to caring for God’s creation—being good stewards of the environment. With environmental concerns in the news almost daily, it can be discouraging to think about the condition this generation will be leaving the planet for the next. Yet, as the Reverend Fletcher Harper, executive director of GreenFaith, once said, “the Earth is amazingly resilient.” But we must do our part to restore, preserve and protect. It will take our care. And care begins with awareness.

On November 4, South Presbyterian, working with GreenFaith, will be hosting a screening of “An Inconvenient Truth.” The film, while created by Al Gore, is not a political endorsement by South Church. It is simply a tool with which to raise awareness of the issues. Raising awareness is the first step to talking and talking is the step that leads to doing and doing is the step that leads to a better environment for all.

For families today, it is never too early to start teaching children that being Presbyterian means being aware that “the Earth is the Lord’s and all that belongs to it” (Psalm 24). Caring for the Earth is not a political mandate but a Biblical mandate. A mandate we have been failing at. But there is good news (as there always is with a loving God). The PC-USA’s Brief Statement of Faith clearly tells us that while “we exploit neighbor and nature, and threaten death to the planet entrusted to our care… God acts with just and mercy to redeem creation.”

How do we begin teaching our children that we are co-creators with God and, thus, here to tend to the Earth? I would start by telling the story of how God gave Adam the huge job of naming creation. Can you imagine a child’s awe and wonderment realizing that God left it up to Adam to call a tree and tree and bird a bird and so on. This illustration makes the point that God trusted us enough to name His creation; He must have trusted us enough to care for it. After telling children this story, look for ways as a family to do your part in tending to creation. For example:

If you have more ideas, let me know. I will share them next month.