Dear friends,
Looking towards our Gift Day on 11 June, today we hear from Liz Martinez :
Just as we have a nomadic church at La Côte, we have a nomadic Sunday club.
The teachers move from one church to another, armed with crayons and craft supplies. It is quite extraordinary that the parents do the same thing and bring their families to these three rather different and ephemeral environments where their children are taught something about their faith amongst coffee and meeting preparations.
Just as we are very busy people near Geneva, we have very busy children, and although there are about twenty Sunday club attendees between the ages of 3 and 12 they have never been there at the same time. We never know who will turn up and remembering names and ages can be a bit of a challenge. But that’s the joy of it. Every week is different and we Sunday school teachers can assure you that we appreciate every single one of our pupils. It is really a privilege for those of us who no longer have little ones at home to be in contact with the spontaneity and honesty of childhood.  So where is God in all this spontaneity, movement, changing children, teachers, and churches?
In preparing for the lessons for a start. We may think we know the story of Pentecost, having sat through it many times, but sometimes it's when we prepare to teach it that we notice the details and learn more about God's word.
Then there’s the fun. I’m talking about for the teachers, not the children. The children regularly play games and make things and sing and do silly things, but we don’t, and having fun allows us to Rejoice, something we are often told to do in the Bible.
And the thoughtfulness. Sometimes the children will come out with something quite amazing during the discussions.
And the willingness to serve. Its been really great to see how keen the children are to help at bake sales or other events, and that they truly have a desire to do something for those less fortunate than themselves.
And last of all the praying. The children can get very excited during the fun parts of Sunday school but they are always willing at one moment to pray and to listen.
In my opinion, even if they don’t know all the Bible stories, if the children learn to listen to them and to pray they have got something very valuable out of the short time they spend with us. We certainly get a lot out of being with them.
Liz Martinez  | 
