I was kneeling on the floor chatting and playing with a group of children one Sunday. A child was standing beside me patting my head. “Mairi, why can I ask you a question?” said the young child. “Of course!” “Why is your hair so grey?” Being around kids is a joy, but it also keeps you humble!
As Pastor for Children and Families, my time is spent in a variety of different ways often with lots of different people of different ages.
During termtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the day starts with setting up Pollok ready to welcome the children and adults for Playtime or BabyPlay. The team are a well-oiled machine as we put out toys and activities, prepare snack for the kids and teas and coffees for the adults. Once set up we pray together and get ready for everyone arriving at 10am (sometimes sooner!) The time goes quickly as we chat with the adults and play and talk with the kids. Before you know it, it’s tidy up time, followed by snack time and then songs and a bible story to finish. We love to see how everyone lingers to chat at the end of the session while they get the kids organised. Once the families are away everyone mucks in to tidy away toys, sort dishes, hoover the room and get it tidy, ready for the next group to use the space.
Tuesday afternoon is staff meeting when we gather as a team to reflect on the week that’s gone and plan for the week ahead. Wednesdays and Thursday afternoons are my times to plan and prepare for QPKids groups (and/or Messy Church or even an All-In service), catch up with emails and admin (rotas, ChurchSuite admin, printing, risk assessments, paperwork for the various groups), do some pastoral visits or catch ups, pick up snacks and supplies for various groups/activities, and so on.
On those Sundays when my lovely family are not serving in other areas, they help to set up the toys in the Sanctuary, check the basement toys and set up the tech we use in the large lounge and the hall, while I put all the supplies in the rooms ready for the teams. Once teams start arriving at 10am, I check in on each group to touch base and make sure they have everything they need for that morning. Most Sundays I will serve in a group, especially if we are short on team. If I am not needed to stay, I will check in on each group a couple of times through the service to make sure everything is going okay and nothing else is needed. This is a great chance to say hello to the kids!
When it comes to school holidays the daily routine looks a bit different. No toddler groups means time to get everything ready for the new term, practically and spiritually. Into the usual admin mix goes restocking supplies, researching resources, curriculum and admin preparation for the coming school year and cleaning cupboards (please let me know if you would like to give me a hand with this last one- all offers gratefully received!). If I am not away on holiday then I lead the joint Adventurers and Explorers group on a Sunday with a small team made up of existing team members (giving generously of their time off) and parents/carers.
Just last week (after a morning of sorting cupboards with Helen Williams -thanks for the help, Helen!) I was reminded of these verses in Colossians 3
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.
What a great reminder that whatever task we are putting our hand to, even if it mundane or ordinary (like cleaning cupboards), is serving Jesus, if we do it with the right attitude.
As I reflected on these verses, I was reminded of another verse, Psalm 127: 3,
Children are a gift* from the Lord;
they are a reward from him.
*some versions use the word inheritance
The children in our families, in our church family, that we welcome into QPKids, Messy Church, Playtime, BabyPlay and so many other places in our church life are a gift from God and are to be treasured. I am so grateful to God for the part I get to play in nurturing that precious gift and for all those who play their part in welcoming children and families just as Jesus asked us to.
See you Sunday!
Mairi
A Day in the Life – Mairi Greenshields
