tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post680770107715252307..comments2023-05-28T04:45:28.401-07:00Comments on Chalice Spark: Transformation and the Trans AmUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-56346383225071296222009-04-30T15:10:00.000-07:002009-04-30T15:10:00.000-07:00I hear you as a DRE, but I'm really feelin' ya tod...I hear you as a DRE, but I'm really feelin' ya today as a parent. We've made conscious decisions to keep our involvements to a minimum (and by comparison they mostly are) but we are indeed crushingly busy. And one of us works on Sunday mornings! ;-)<br /><br />This was a well-timed, validating post for me. Not in the "it's okay to stay home from church" way, but in the "my family is normal" way. Thanks for that.<br /><br />Given that in the short time I've known you I've "watched" you go from singing a song about coming to church every week to this, I look forward to seeing where this transformation takes you!Andreanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-62203226819850154952009-04-29T20:29:00.000-07:002009-04-29T20:29:00.000-07:00Thanks, All. Kristina is right. We're growing. In ...Thanks, All. Kristina is right. We're growing. In the summer of 2005 when I first started our program had 23 kids. In '06 it was 41, '07 we were at 59, '08 at 65 and now we're at 75. It's good. I'm just realizing that families simply can't come as often as I want them to! They can't! And it's still good and still enough. <br /><br />And Kelly yep. NO giving up. It is all totally worth it, no matter what! You, too. Our children are not our future, they're our "right now!"Karihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779463691582868798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-3092434540471077562009-04-29T18:56:00.000-07:002009-04-29T18:56:00.000-07:00((((hugs)))) really. Hard squishy ones. I totally ...((((hugs)))) really. Hard squishy ones. I totally GET what you're saying. I've been working in RE for only a year, and know what a difference regular attendance can make in the life of a family. <br /><br />My own daughter is becoming a force of change in our congregation and is forcing us to look at ways to offer spiritual development outside of curriculum. <br /><br />We DO make a difference, so don't give up; just be kind to yourself.<br /><br />Hugs again!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15288925493907687573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-64759200413428664572009-04-29T08:39:00.000-07:002009-04-29T08:39:00.000-07:00Kari, I deeply love your commitment to our congre...Kari, I deeply love your commitment to our congregation and the work that you do. It is important work, and meaningful to our little family.<br />.<br />We try to come every week...and whereas we're there MOST of the time, we're not there all of the time. We have made a commitment not to schedule anything on Sundays, and yet we still can't be tehre every time. I can see how insanely frustrating this must be for someone in your position, and thanks to your blog posts, I've been thinking about it an awful lot, too.<br />.<br />For our family, church is important. And peace and quiet are important. We are working hard at putting more peace and quiet into our lives, and church does fit into that. Still, it is a struggle to make the jigsaw fit together.<br />.<br />In case you are wondering if you are successful in your job (and I think you are!), let me ask you this: how much has our congregation grown in the past two years? I can't believe how much! The "fivefold amen" isn't a circle most days, it's a wiggly amoeba because it's so large. And the children are coming...just not the same ones each week.<br />.<br />This was meant to be a "rah rah" post in response to you....just know that this family immensely appreciates your work. Know that we are grateful for this year's thoughtful programming, and we'll be really glad for your programs next year, too. It's constantly evolving, and I appreciate your williingness to evolve along with it/us!Kristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08069440381654278765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-26105907138257029392009-04-29T07:25:00.000-07:002009-04-29T07:25:00.000-07:00Thanks, Kit. I am so focused on the kids I don't e...Thanks, Kit. I am so focused on the kids I don't even think about what the adults are missing! But as a dear and trusted colleague has said to me "soccer is important, too" so I'm learning to let go! To trust that each Sunday happens just as it needs to with just the people who are meant to be there. It really is all good.Karihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04779463691582868798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8308921546745481048.post-17318171142810328502009-04-29T06:10:00.000-07:002009-04-29T06:10:00.000-07:00Ah, Kari, I just love you. That's such a common t...Ah, Kari, I just love you. That's such a common theme for all of us, not just DRE's and RE. It's not just the kids who are transformed by steady attendance, so are the adults. I"m so glad you put this out there.Lilylouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02328027965155428624noreply@blogger.com