The Children's Charter for the Church is a grassroots effort – the result of several years’ work by committed and caring people in a dozen dioceses across the nation. In very specific terms, the charter spells out how we as the church are called to nurture our children, minister to our children, and to recognize that our children are also ministers to us. It is my hope that a future issue of The Vineyard might be devoted to fully exploring the principles of this baptismal Children's Charter. The purpose of this article is to give you a brief overview of the conference and a glimpse of what those of us who were fortunate enough to attend brought home to share.

    The conference was based on the principles of the charter. The design team included those who were involved in drafting the original charter as well as others who joined the cause along the way. We were encouraged to attend in diocesan teams. The team from Oregon included five from Christ Church, Lake Oswego; two from St. Paul's Salem; two from St. Bartholomew's, Beaverton; and one from St. Catherine's, Manzanita. In addition, Oregon was well-represented by Stephanie Wight, chair of our Christian Education Department and a member of the conference design team, and The Rev. Jack Hilyard, who presented several of the workshops. Because the conference "sold out" so quickly, several others from our diocese were not able to attend.

    When information about this conference first came out, I knew immediately that I wanted to be there because I am interested in the Children's Charter and because there were so many interesting and timely workshop topics. I also was appreciative of the opportunity to meet our new Presiding Bishop. When my registration was confirmed, I was even more excited. There were additional workshop topics and many well-known and well-respected presenters. Those of you who attend conferences know there is always a risk. Sometimes when we go with high expectations we are disappointed, but that was not the case this time. The conference was outstanding. The presentation of the Children's Charter, the various workshops, and Bishop Griswold were wonderful. However, when I reflect on the unexpected gifts that I received from this conference, four things come immediately to mind:

1. The powerful opening keynote address delivered by The Rev. Dr. Eileen Williams Lindner, former Director of the Children's Advocacy Office for the National Council of Churches The images that she drew on my heart will be with me forever. One of the stories she shared was from her own parenting experience. It was a hot summer day on the East Coast. Her four-year-old son and several of his friends were happily splashing in a small inflatable swimming pool. She was sitting in the shade, drinking Kool-Aid and trying to stay cool. Her hot thirsty son walked over, reached for her cup, looked up, and asked with childlike innocence "If I drink from your cup, will I catch your dreams?" The child, of course, probably meant to say "germs" instead of "dreams", but what a powerful image of Eucharist. I will never again reach for the cup without praying that I, too, might catch His dreams.

2. The beautifully creative and interactive liturgy with which we began our mornings and ended our evenings. We worshiped with great joy and integrity. The lessons and prayers were shared in many creative ways including tableau, echo responses, raps, parallel stories, and key word responses. We practiced using our arms and hands to respond and being comfortable just moving and taking up more space. The liturgy drew in and included people of all ages and circumstances. If this is the liturgy of the 21st century, I want to be around for it!

3. A new model for conducting our business and making decisions was shared by Ernie Medina, Missioner for Christian Formation of the Diocese of Los Angeles. Known as Authority of Generations, this model combines prayer, scripture, and song to give voice to people of all ages. A question is posed to the group and each person is given the opportunity to respond from his or her own personal experience. Following each person's sharing, the day's designated Discerner leads the group in singing a hymn to affirm the experience that was shared. Another person is asked to be the weaver and to listen for the common threads. After everyone has shared, the Weaver draws the threads together. This model works especially well if the group is made up of people of different ages. We used it successfully every day.

4. Last, but not least, I will remember the wonderful hospitality of the Diocese of Texas. We met at Camp Allen, their camp and conference center which is in the midst of a $50 million dollar expansion. We were the first group to use some of the new facilities and they were literally putting on faucets and moving in furniture the day before we arrived. But what made our stay memorable was not only the beautiful new facilities, but the gracious welcome extended by everyone we met. From the Bishop and the Suffragan Bishop to the person who accepted our trays of dirty dishes at the window after every meal, each person we met made each of us feel welcomed, loved, and valued. There is ministry in hospitality. If this is the church of the 21st century, I want to be a part of it!

© 2001, Diocese of Oregon
updated 05/03/2003 16:25
contact: kylew@diocese-oregon.org