A Chapel Unlike Any Other

Author: Mark Fenstermacher
September 24, 2020

When I think of chapel time, I think of quiet prayers, lighted candles, readings from scripture, light coming through stained glass, a choir loft with choir, antiphonal singing, hymns and a sermon. When I was asked if I would lead "chapel time" in our Early Learning Center, I knew I wouldn't be processing down the center aisle of the magnificent Duke Chapel followed by a choir but I had no idea it was going to be like this!

Chapel time used to be a rather intentional Christian story and prayer time with the children here at Auburn First, but the pandemic has meant our classes are isolated and each does it's "own thing" in terms of chapel. (Each class staying as a self-contained unit helps protect the children and staff from the spreading of the virus.)

So I would be leading "chapel time" with 3-year olds! Any plans I had for the chapel times I would lead immediately went out the window: no story book, no reading from Ephesians, no fancy prayers, no 3-point sermon on the monastic life of the desert fathers.

“What am I supposed to do?" I asked. "Well, why don't you just go down there and hang out with the children?" I was told.

So that is what I do for chapel time: I put on my facemask, go downstairs to the wonderful Early Learning Center, walk into the 3-year old room and join the children as they play. It has become one of the highlights of my week! When I realized I would be scheduled to do this each week, I thought about "renegotiating" my contract. Lead Pastors have important things to do, of course, and crawling around on the floor, building blocks, reading stories, and holding baby dolls may not strike some people - I understand - as important as meeting with the Bishop, the Mayor, filling out a foundation grant application or writing a sermon.

I won't be renegotiating my contract: I will keep going downstairs hanging out with the 3 - year olds not just because it seems to delight them when I walk through the door but because I need this. Their joy, their energy, their very presence, blesses me. And since the pandemic has kept me away from some of my own grandchildren, my soul sings a little when I am stretched out on the floor building blocks or talking about dinosaurs.

The disciples tried to keep the children away from Jesus. The Teacher, after all, had crowds to heal, sermons to preach and a world to save. Jesus wouldn't hear of it: Jesus welcomed the children! In Matthew 19 (The Message), Jesus says, "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these."

Never thought of going to chapel as wearing blue jeans, hanging out with 3-year olds, and reading story books or building blocks or holding baby dolls while juggling little dinosaurs - but I like it!

I always want to be a part of a congregation where children are welcomed, loved, and experience God's grace.

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See you this Sunday at either 8:30 or 11.

We'll be talking about RESISTANCE STORIES this weekend. The Bible is full of stories about God's people resisting evil empires and oppressive powers.

Join one of our INSPIRED groups.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Mark
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