As I come to the end of my time as Children’s Minister at All Saints, Paul’s letter for the Philippians comes to mind: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you…"
I am so grateful for the love, friendship, encouragement and support I have received from so many of you over the last 10 years and for the opportunity to work for a church with Jesus at the heart of it. Thank you to the many of you who have prayed for our children’s ministry and to those who have served alongside me in our school’s work, Messy Church, Holiday Club, Light Party, Christian Unions, Open the Book, Toddlers, Uniformed Organisations, Christingle, Christmas Eve nativities, crèche, Sunday morning groups, 11am services and not forgetting Palm Sundays with the donkeys! Thank you too for those of you who helped me deliver youth work when we didn’t have a youth minister and Houseparty.
Much of what happens in our children’s ministry is unseen by most people, unless you are part of the team delivering it, but it has been known, seen and appreciated by me and most importantly by God and you have made an invaluable difference for His Kingdom.
Jesus is clear that we are to welcome children and to help them come to Him so for each and every one of you who has done that, I give thanks. Children are not simply part of the future church, they are the church now. If I could leave All Saints with one encouragement it is to get involved in some way with our brilliant children and their families. They are such a blessing to work with and have given me enormous joy. If you aren’t sure about working with children directly then why not help serve refreshments to the parents and carers at Toddlers, join the band, sound or visuals team for our 11am services, help prepare resources or speak words of encouragement to our overtired parents and carers who are doing their best to bring their children up in faith. There are so many ways that we can help children come to Jesus and know Him and I honestly believe you will be blessed if you do.
My final words of thanks must of course go to our loving Lord. The one who loves us so much that He died for us, the one for whom we do all these things and who so graciously uses us in the advancement of His Kingdom. “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Amen! (Revelation 5:13).
Rosie Blackett