God certainly is a surprise. It began with a dream by an elder long, long ago to one day have a Christian educator work in the congregation. The dream was mentioned now and then, but in a medium-sized rural church of 300 members (100 attending on Sunday), many thought it was unrealistic. Then, in the last six years, this village of 500 outside of Pictou experienced a baby boom. There were more and more babies around, including twins and triplets, with quite a few young families coming to church.
In May 2006, we celebrated at Bethel, Scotsburn, Nova Scotia. Children were singing, people were smiling, stories were told and gifts were shared as we celebrated Christian education. The sanctuary was decorated with balloons, the sacrament of baptism took place, and a university student reflected on her years growing up at Bethel. The youth group, CGIT/Explorers, and Sunday school presented money they had raised. A new children's choir sang God Is A Surprise.
This congregation has always been mission-minded. Whether it is the choir singing at the nursing home on a Sunday afternoon, Atlantic Mission Society groups, a commitment to Presbyterians Sharing, food donations to the local food bank, grants for attending church camps or lay education, or giving to the urgent needs of PWS&D, their generosity challenges and encourages me. We try to pass on that enthusiasm and commitment of mission to our younger families, but fi nd that it is hard to communicate. Many adherents, loosely connected to the church, are visited by elders, receive newsletters, and help in fundraising events. The contribution they make through time and donations keeps them connected to the church family.
We knew that we could not employ someone from our general budget, so the Christian Education Permanent Fund was born in December 2004. Through this fund, we were able to build up resources, invest money and use the interest to employ a Christian educator. We wished to be proactive and have a fund for people to contribute to other than the General Fund.
After a long process in the fall of 2005, the Presbytery of Pictou decided it could no longer fund the presbytery worker, and the position was ended. Instead of gaining resources when we were gaining young children, we were losing them. It was time to act!
During the capital drive for the Christian Education Permanent Fund, we wrote letters to members, adherents and friends of Bethel who lived elsewhere. We asked people to speak during worship for a few minutes about what Christian education meant to them. We heard from children, youth, the elderly, leaders and followers, men and women, parents, grandparents — all who had a passion for education in the church. Of course, the best reason to support the CE fund was found in the little children sitting around us, and they were not to be silenced! This year, we are expanding the program to include the teachers' professional development days when children are not in school.
Sometimes, with big dreams, you put the cart before the horse. We began the journey without knowing the ins and outs of funds, capital drives and investing. The Stewards by Design conference gave our leaders the confidence to pursue this dream and build our strengths. Through the Planned Giving Network, we have been given advice on investing, setting up funds, and how to receive gifts of all kinds. People who are no longer members of the congregation, but still connected, have lent a hand in areas where we needed help.
The “boom babies” are growing up. This year, the three-year-olds and the Primary/Grade Ones are the biggest Sunday school classes at Bethel. By next summer, we hope to have an influx of four-year-olds to Community Bible School, held in the local elementary school. A few new families have begun attending church and the after-school program. Word has spread that there are children here. Our challenge is to keep reaching out to the community and to provide a viable ministry as children grow into their teens.
Our long-term goal for the fund is $250,000 so that interest from the fund can be used year after year. (We currently have approximately $100,000.) Our hope in 2007 is to employ a minister of Christian education for one day a week, with help from a grant. Who knows what dreams of ministry can be accomplished by grace? God is so good as we celebrate and dream!
