THE RECTOR’S CORNER

Save The Grandchildren

There has been a relatively new societal shift, and this is that more and more grandparents are taking care of their grandchildren during the week as their parents (our children) work full time jobs.
Grandparents have thus, more than ever, become formidable influences in their grandchildren’s lives. I think this is great. I think it is so great that I would like to expand it. Many of the baby boomer
generation’s children do not attend church. For the most part, they are a lost cause. For whatever reasons, church is not something in which they are interested. As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter,
it is foolish for the Episcopal Church to chase after them. Let them go. Instead, let’s focus on their children. As grandparents, we are now wiser and have more patience with our grandchildren than we did with our own children. We have made our mistakes, and we have learned. Besides, we can always return them to their parents when we become weary. Add this to the fact that our children
love it when we take care of our grandchildren giving them respites, we now have a perfect storm.

My proposal is that grandparents bring their grandchildren to church. It is perfect. First of all, we l ove being with our grandchildren. And as mature adults, we recognize the importance of faith in a child’s life. We know how ridiculous it is not to bring a child to church but instead allowing them to make their own choice when they get older. By that time the choice has already been made years prior. Do we do the same with school? Of course not. Secondly, children love church. They are given donuts, juice and youngest of the young can shout out and hear an echo. Thirdly, our children (parents of our grandchildren) would get to sleep in without the kids each and every Sunday. Just think----an entire morning free to drink coffee and read the paper while grandma and grandpa take care of the kids. And finally, a new generation is being brought up in the church. They are the real future! It is a perfect storm.

Thus, here is my suggestion. Have your grandkids sleep over on Saturday night. First of all, this would be fun. In addition, we, grandparents, go to bed the same time the kids do, and we eat dinner at 5PM just like they do. Then, the following morning get them up and bring them along to church. We have an excellent chapel and Sunday School program for them, or they can sit with you in church. We have coloring books and stuffed animals in the narthex for them to play with. If it is too much for them to sleep over each week, then swing by and pick them up. Trust me, your kids (their parents) will love it.
The Rector’s Corner—Rev. Canon Greg Frost

If you are a Baby Boomer (or a child or grandchild of one) who is NOT technologically challenged—then please do visit the St. Andrew and St. Charles Facebook page. It is a very casual place right now, but one where you are invited to post to the Wall or comment on Wall posts. We aren’t accepting photos at this time (unless you contact the admin) You don’t have to be friends with other people who “like” our page in order to enjoy the occasional update to your news feed. Just go ahead and LIKE the page. :-) Type St. Andrew & St. Charles Episcopal Church into your Facebook search.