United Church Manners

I helped teach Sunday School at our new church today where they do things a little differently than what I'm used to. It was grades 1-3, and everything was so sweet and soft and organized so that the children knew where to sit, when to light the candle or get a certain book, how to take turns in circle prayer, who is serving snack and what to do at journal time. No Veggie Tales or slick, sunglasses wearing Jesuses here. A bit of a time warp, but pretty cute.

Of course kids are kids and there was one who kept flicking over the plastic canvas wise men and saying blah, blah, blah and rolling on his back (wasn't one of mine, so phew). Another boy kept commenting on how nice church smells, why does it smell so good, I love the smell of this place and when the teacher lit the candle "mmmm, that smells great!" Ethan argued with him, saying matches smell horrible and the boy said, dude, what are you talking about? Matches smell awesome.

The teachers must be taught not to get involved or react to interruptions, because through it all she kept on going in her nice, soft voice and when she said "this is the Christ baby with his arms outstretched for a hug", my kids burst out laughing (telling them that a plastic canvas Jesus wants a hug will always end badly...). She ignored it and pulled out a mat to mark the advent and Ethan interrupted (yes, again) and asked if it was 100% polyester. She ignored this as well, so we may never know, but I had a good talk with the kids afterwards about how this class is a little more formal than our old class and what that means manners-wise. I also asked them, as we've asked before, how they like class and they both said they love it, which surprises me a bit. It's definately slower paced, no media, no games, lots of old fashioned Bible stories. I had kind of just assumed it wouldn't be their thing.

So, we're learning the ways of the United Church, the standing and sitting and responding and candle lighting; and so are the kids. I think I really get this idea of being in touch with the older traditions- ways of worship that were followed many generations ago, and when it's paired with an open and modern world view it's a refreshing balance. Now if we can only get those manners in check, we'll be set.


Angie