Part of our deal when John joined the Catholic church was that the children would only go to my church. This is because I feel that what is taught at my church is both very valuable and a bit hard to grasp, and I don’t want to confuse them until they really get a good grip on it. (Obviously, when they are older, they can make up their own mind.)
I’ve violated this “my church only” rule for Juss by putting him in AWANA at the local Presbyterian church, but I did this for three reasons:
1) I couldn’t watch him at that time — free babysitting
2) It’s just about the Bible, how much harm could it do?
3) and most importantly, the ladies at CPC are among the kindest and most wonderful anywhere. I adore them and Juss has been friends with their children since birth.
This Sunday, however, John called to say that when he went out to the car to go to Mass, the Cherubim* went with him and got in the car. We have no idea where the Cherubim though he was going, but mass is where he went. I did not object to this for three reasons.
1) He was the only boy who sat still on Easter (except for the whole blowing out the candles thing), so I thought he could do it.
2) He wasn’ t going to understand the niceties of it either way, and more prayer certainly would not hurt.
3) and most importantly, John does not get a whole lot of time to spend with the boys…and when he does, its often the clamoring boys who get the time. While an hour sitting in a pew might not be quality time for Orville of Juss, it is quality time with the Cherubim.
So, I have suggested that John take him every week. He’ll love the outing, and they’ll get some time together. If he starts not enjoying it, John can stop taking him.
*For newcomers: True cherub is the singular, but it has a whole different connotations, more flying, chubby boy and less fiery wings with eyes.
Sounds like a plan.
I have given up on having snarling teen daughter sit through formal service. It’s counterproductive. Instead, she happily helps out in the nursery and we talk about God one-on-one when she gets home.
Likewise Ben hangs with the little ones and plays with them.
You would know if it were wrong to let Cherubim hang with the holy fathers…
Ever hear of “the Dumb Ox?”
I can’t think of a better place for the Cherubim, in a perfect world.
That is sooo cute that he went and got in the car by himself. Nothing like watching a kid follow Daddy around. :)
Although I have to say, Cherubim carries just as much flying chubby baby connotations in my mind as Cherub. The only thing that I can think of off the top of my head that carries something close to the fiery wings image is Archangel (as in, St. Michael the Archangel, who always goes around with a sword in his hand), and maybe Seraphim.
What does AWANA stand for?
>What does AWANA stand for?
I don’t know. It’s a Protestant children’s Bible Study club thingy. Many churches have one. They learn Bible quotes and stuff like that.
Cherubim:
http://www.anewbelief.com/Images/cherubimsml.jpg
http://images.elfwood.com/art/c/a/casssita/cherubim.jpg.rZd.67344.jpg
AWANA
It stands for “Approved Workers Are Not Ashamed.” 2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
I’ve taught in AWANA for several years, and my kids are in it now. A wonderful program, with eternal rewards.
–Darren
Re: AWANA
Ah, thanks. Sounds cool.
Sounds like a plan.
I have given up on having snarling teen daughter sit through formal service. It’s counterproductive. Instead, she happily helps out in the nursery and we talk about God one-on-one when she gets home.
Likewise Ben hangs with the little ones and plays with them.
You would know if it were wrong to let Cherubim hang with the holy fathers…
Ever hear of “the Dumb Ox?”
I can’t think of a better place for the Cherubim, in a perfect world.
That is sooo cute that he went and got in the car by himself. Nothing like watching a kid follow Daddy around. :)
Although I have to say, Cherubim carries just as much flying chubby baby connotations in my mind as Cherub. The only thing that I can think of off the top of my head that carries something close to the fiery wings image is Archangel (as in, St. Michael the Archangel, who always goes around with a sword in his hand), and maybe Seraphim.
What does AWANA stand for?
>What does AWANA stand for?
I don’t know. It’s a Protestant children’s Bible Study club thingy. Many churches have one. They learn Bible quotes and stuff like that.
Cherubim:
http://www.anewbelief.com/Images/cherubimsml.jpg
http://images.elfwood.com/art/c/a/casssita/cherubim.jpg.rZd.67344.jpg
AWANA
It stands for “Approved Workers Are Not Ashamed.” 2 Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
I’ve taught in AWANA for several years, and my kids are in it now. A wonderful program, with eternal rewards.
–Darren
Re: AWANA
Ah, thanks. Sounds cool.
So what church is your church? I mean the denomination, not “First Church of Springfield” etc.
I am a member of The Church of Christ, Scientist –commonly known as Christian Scientists.
(This is not to be confused with the similarly named Scientologists, who, while currently popular in Hollywood, are not a Christian denomination.)
So what church is your church? I mean the denomination, not “First Church of Springfield” etc.
I am a member of The Church of Christ, Scientist –commonly known as Christian Scientists.
(This is not to be confused with the similarly named Scientologists, who, while currently popular in Hollywood, are not a Christian denomination.)
Who knows — there could even be future with Orville the CS, Roland the Roman Catholic, and Juss the Presbyterian. All different seats at Christ’s bountiful table. I love the mental image of Ro heading off to Mass, somehow sensing the import and reverence in a way that only he can.
>Who knows — there could even be future with Orville the CS, Roland the Roman Catholic, and Juss the Presbyterian.
Something really cute about that. Maybe our future Chinese daughter could be a Zen Buddhist like her grandfather. ;-)
This last week was even stranger. Ro came and got his shoes and when John wasn’t going to go to mass because he was so tired, Ro made a fuss. We have no idea where he thought they were going, but go to mass the two of them did!
Who knows — there could even be future with Orville the CS, Roland the Roman Catholic, and Juss the Presbyterian. All different seats at Christ’s bountiful table. I love the mental image of Ro heading off to Mass, somehow sensing the import and reverence in a way that only he can.
>Who knows — there could even be future with Orville the CS, Roland the Roman Catholic, and Juss the Presbyterian.
Something really cute about that. Maybe our future Chinese daughter could be a Zen Buddhist like her grandfather. ;-)
This last week was even stranger. Ro came and got his shoes and when John wasn’t going to go to mass because he was so tired, Ro made a fuss. We have no idea where he thought they were going, but go to mass the two of them did!