On this, Nov. 15, we at the First United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple, declare our celebration of The Children’s Sabbath.  As we celebrate the children among us we also raise awareness of the needs of children near and far in the event of the Children’s Sabbath. In the words of Maurice Sendak, from Where the Wild Things Are “And now,” cried Max, “Let the wild rumpus start!’   

The wild rumpus has already begun with the children singing and drumming the stories of Jesus through a song from Zimbabwe. The youth sang about hope, which brings the church into a new vision and broader vision as did the children’s joining with the songs of Zimbabwe.

Our children processing into worship and beginning the service with joy, reminds us that children are at the heart of the life of the church, in al facets of being the church. As children grow, so grows the church. When parents think that their baby is too wiggly for worship it is time for the baby to be hugged in the nursery. It is here that the child first really knows the love of God through all of us – the Body of Christ. Do you remember the words in the Baptismal Covenant that we as the congregation affirm? The congregation says, “We will surround her with a community of love and forgiveness that she may grow in her service to others. We will pray for her, that she may be a true disciple, who walks in the way that leads to life.” Walking towards God – step by step. (Showing a newborn clothing of a boy and a girl.)

At just a bit older, maybe kindergartener or a first grader and now becomes the season of music lessons, sports, computer games – all these start in one way or another. I remember watching a kindergarten soccer game – the whole team moved together wherever the ball was, like a ping pong ball, and we called it bunch ball soccer. At this age the child likes to hear Bible stories, to say prayers at night, and to say a prayer at meals. If a parent is doing all these with the child, what is modeled of the faith of the parent for the child? Deut. 6:5: “You shall love the Lord 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.” Parents sometimes come back to the church being led by the hand of the child because the child is asking questions. (Holding up a soccer tee-shirt.)

At about eight or nine years old the child is now able to read a third grade Bible on his own and now knows more stories. At one step at a time, the child is growing in God’s love. From Deuteronomy, “Recite them to our children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” At this time they need to hear and to see the parent living the faith as they watch the example of the parent going step by step. 

Teen years are a time when I am telling you this is when parents want to say – can you take my teenager for about, oh 10 years! You hear teen statements like: “I don’t believe in God. Why do I have to go to church? I do nice things. I say I’m sorry. I don’t need God. I am a good person just on my own.” Talk about a giant step in asking questions, and looking for meaning somewhere positive or negative. Mr. Steve Hueppchen and I teach Confirmation and we have had to think very hard about some of the students’ questions. The church must have a place for teens because if we do not then the answer is the streets. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (vss12-13) Step into the street or step into the church. What will we decide? (Show a traditional “hoodie” sweatshirt.

Chicago is not the only place where babies are growing up into adults! In the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministry just one project that cares for children is in the Wesley Primary School in Morogoro, in the province of Tanzania. Rev. Umba Llunga Lakangwa has led building a school - one room at a time since 2006. There are now 60 students and four teachers, with land for more rooms to be built when help comes. Only 54% of primary age children attend school at all. Rev. Umba llunga Lakangwa and wife Ngoy Mulanga Kalangwu are from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The names sound strange. The place of Tanzania seems far away. Many, not all, of our children in the United States attend school. The most recent estimated number of homeless children and youth who are homeless in Chicago is 9000. Homeless children and youth are on the move most of the time. Youth who are alone on the streets are the best at being invisible. What steps do they get to take? What steps is the church doing to provide a place for education that reaches out to our most vulnerable population.

The first job. Going to college. Graduate school. Dollar signs of school loan debt!  From baby steps to large mature steps we all grow. (Show the tie and the woman’s business scarf.)

I do not know the steps that the shoe size of Blake Sercye has grown into. Blake read our Gospel this morning. He has given me the go ahead to share about his step into a whole new world last summer. He is now a second year law student at the University of Chicago. After the first year of law school most students work for private firms or the government. He decided to step into a different route.

Blake worked in Johannesburg for the South Africa for the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC). SALC is a public interest organization that handles human rights cases in southern African countries like Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana and Zimbabwe. He choose this work because of his similar compassion for prisoner rights cases taken as pro bono (at no fee) basis.

Of course – Blake wrote a blog! In his last entry he wrote: ”More than anything I’ve been most surprised at how similar Johannesburg is to the Westside of Chicago…There are homeless persons and panhandlers everywhere in Johannesburg and the surrounding suburbs…I sometimes forget whether I’m driving in a foreign country or taking the 290 exit at Central on a trip from Hyde Park to Austin. Being here has served as a reminder that the problems of poverty exist well beyond our own city blocks.”

On a lighter note: “South Africa is crazy about soccer, rugby, and cricket. I wish I could say that I’ve come to understand these sports more during my time here. Honestly, I’m just as clueless about the rules of each games as now when I’m leaving.”

As Blake and I emailed back and forth, he put it all together. “If my experience at (SALC) taught me anything, it is to be cognizant of the problems that face everyone. We’re all God’s children so our compassion shouldn’t end at the borders of our neighborhood, our city or our country.

I believe that this admirable young man, and young adults everywhere who put others before themselves, are living out the Gospel: “You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.” (vs.16-17) 

We begin with tiny feet and hands. We grow into adults who can choose to use feet and hands for good in Jesus’ name. In between, are many steps through which the parents and the church support and love the babies, the children, the teens, and the young adults. May we step in the direction of God through Christ and follow the Spirit of God within us as we love one another as we have been loved. Amen.