Recently, several of the St. Ambrose middle school and high school students collaborated to produce their version of “The Prayers of the People.” Their presentation of it during a combined service was a big hit with many members of the congregation. Several people approached me in the days following the service to tell me how moved they were by the experience. Many of them also made sure to express their appreciation to the kids.

As one of their Sunday school teachers, I was extremely pleased, but not surprised by the thoughtfulness and compassion for others expressed in the prayers. During my 10 years of teaching Sunday school I have often witnessed similar selfless acts or heard similar altruistic comments from my students. Many of our young people have done a better job of following in the path of Jesus than some of us older folks. They realize how difficult life can be in a harsh, aggressive and confusing world (we all remember middle school and high school, don’t we?). Instead of quietly accepting this unfairness they seem to embrace the words of the late Senator Robert Kennedy: “There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why… I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”

Many times I have wondered why the adults in the congregation can’t seem to incorporate the many talents and ideas of our children into our service. Perhaps they can act as greeters. When our current greeters welcome new families at the door, our children could inform their kids about Sunday school or other activities. How about having a child read the lessons occasionally, or play a musical instrument or sing during the service periodically? Many of them already do a wonderful job as acolytes or gathering produce from our garden.

If you have additional ideas of ways that we can help our kids become more active contributors to St. Ambrose please let me know. Let’s truly embrace the words of Isaiah 11:6, “… and A little child shall lead them”.

John Taylor