This week school is back. How do I know? The summer breeze of driving to the office on open roads is over! Now it’s back to the crawl past schools as mothers in four-wheel-drives devolve their children onto hapless teachers for the day. When I was a boy we used to walk a (whole) kilometre to school. It seemed further at the time, but often was the most interesting time of the day as we explored new building sites on the estate, dropped in to Mrs King’s for a biscuit, threw stones at the rats down at the waterfall, explored Mr Pedder’s farm or stole apples from Painey’s orchard. Somehow the class room did not have the same attraction…
I was delighted to see the comments of some young people returning to school: “Year 11. Bring it on!” and “Year 12 will be grand!” Maybe it’s the computers that brighten their day or so many study options from which to choose. Or maybe it’s just getting back together with good friends. Whatever the reason, life goes on and we look forward to seeing our young people growing through life this year.
It is exciting to see so many young children running around our church complex and to think of the potential within our Youth Group. It must gladden the heart of every adult in our church to see this wonderful legacy of faith. We do well to encourage our younger ones, to pray for them and do everything we can to see them grow into maturity in Jesus Christ. Let’s also remember in prayer our children and youth leaders as they commence another year of service within the church. Together this will be a great year! Bring it on! Pastor Bob