June always brings the end of the school year accompanied by shouts of joy from children released from classrooms for a summer of fun and adventure. Of course, there are more than a few joyous shouts from teachers, too! But even as children and teachers celebrate the end of the year, there is also a sense of wistfulness as everyone scatters. Classrooms are community with bonds built over the course of the year and June breaks those bonds.
For those who are moving up through graduation, new adventures lie ahead: the move from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, high school to college, college to …where? We have a large group of high school seniors this year and it’s been such a joy for me to learn of their plans for next year. And as reports have trickled back from our new college graduates, I have been so pleased that most have either found jobs or are hopeful. This is wonderful news in an economy that still is sluggish.
Our Early Learning Center ends its year with a lively closing program in our Sanctuary featuring the children performing wonderfully creative songs. I get to participate as the narrator. Then our building grows quiet; too quiet and too empty without their smiles and laughter.
Even as this school year comes to an end, the ELC Board and staff are already looking ahead to next year. Among the changes the ELC is considering is asking all parents to covenant that they will not use cellphones or other electronic devices when they are driving through the parking lot. We have been astounded and disturbed by how many people drive through our lot talking on phones or using other devices, even as other parents and children are walking through the lot. This has become a serious concern for us; the safety of everyone on this campus must always be our top priority.
Session has also discussed whether we should adopt what I call a “Hang-Up-The-Phone” policy. Studies have shown that a person who is talking on a cellphone or using an electronic device is significantly more distracted from their driving and considerably more likely to cause an accident. Everyone who comes onto our campus, whether for ELC, church activities or a meeting of an independent group, becomes a part of the larger MPC community and we should expect every member of the community to abide by our concern for the safety of all.
A church is a community, bonded by the love God has graced us with in Jesus Christ. School communities may change, work communities may change, but the church community is always there, with arms wide open in welcome. This is the place where God calls us all to turn off our phones and Blackberries so we can more readily find “the goodwill of all people” and find the peace which surpasses all understanding.
Grace & peace
Pastor Skip
