Mon. Feb. 21, 2022
Cherubs of SJC
John Tabor
About 16 years ago at a 10 o'clock service, a four-year-old Peter Lown sauntered back from the communion rail as only four year old boys can. I sat in post-communion reflection when suddenly Peter came up from behind me and, thinking I was his father Brad, jumped into my lap. He turned his eyes up and smiled and then realized to his horror he'd picked the wrong pew, or more precisely the wrong blue blazer.
Now Peter is a senior in college, one foot still at home, one foot across the threshold of adulthood.
Reflecting on this made me think of how many children I have watched grow up in St. John's. Kendall Mood's wonderful singing voice graced our annual musicals. Now she returns to help direct. Abby Siegried returns with her whole family and the two toddler I remember are now taller than me. Of course the corollary is now I am an Old Parishioner, and probably starting to ramble on like one.
In a city who's population is aging, St. John's is, year after year, a beacon for young families. That's been a conscious choice by our Rector and part of the vitality of our community. Perhaps it's because Rob spent several years in his early career doing youth ministry. Or maybe he is just a kid at heart. Certainly that's true on a summer day when surfing is good at Jenness Beach. But our community's ability to nurture kids through great music and drama, Sunday School, and "going to church outside the church", or taking youth trips to Ireland or North Carolina have created bonds among our youth that enrich their lives and ours. I go to St. John's 10 o'clock service because there ARE kids. At this year's Christmas Pageant (once again a rousing morning of cuteness overload), I counted more than 40.
So next time you see a cherub adjusting her slightly tilted angel wings, or you hear the thunder of little feet running to their parents' pews after the Peace, take a moment to be savor it and offer thanks to God (and Ashley Wade). And know that in the blink of an eye, that cherub will return as a college senior, and there will be new shepherds and angels to take her place. May it always be so.