Getting ready for Advent

I am used to planning ahead. After all, I have been a teacher for 34 years. Planning is crucial.

All the same, the more I know about children, teaching, real learning, and what makes learning passionate for those involved; the more I know that plans need to be flexible, fluid, and responsive to the needs of the group with whom one works.

So now I find myself in a church, working with children. There are truly interesting expectations regarding the work I do. One is Christmas Eve.

Years ago, when I was the chair of the "Worship Committee" (as it was then called), I was told that there was an expectation that the chair of the committee would work with one of the ministers to lead the early service. Now that I am Coordinator of Children & Youth, I am told that I am expected to work with one of the ministers to lead the early service. I sometimes wonder how much of this is linked to the position and how much is linked to the person.

At any rate, I am excited about the expectation, but I also know deep down that I need to keep this VERY fluid and flexible. Most of the children with whom I work have already told me that they won't be around for Christmas Eve. So planning to meet their needs is out the window. I need to plan for a big crowd of people who most likely don't come to this church very frequently. They will want to hear the traditional carols, but will also want to know that the church is staying current.

I think I'll write a story for the service. I hope that my counterpart will accept that.