Greetings to family and friends of Grace, 

We began our Lenten season with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. This year I have chosen the “Lenten Gospel Reflection through Chinese Characters” by Rev. Elyn MacInnis as a resource for our Wednesday Lenten studies. Rev. MacInnis uses the philosophy of Chinese characters as a way to help us reflect on the season of Lent. Each week we will learn one word in Chinese that will guide us in the meditation, which will be followed by a time of personal prayer. The church will be open from 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for silent prayer. 

The month of February was a very special month for my family as we celebrated the baptism of Colette.  Walter and I are very excited that we can raise Colette in such a loving congregation, which has shown nothing but love and acceptance for our little girl. She has already made a difference in the world by inspiring the Missions Committee to start a Lenten collection in her honor.  Missions is asking for donations of baby goods for the town social services. It is our hope that this will be the beginning of many good works she will do in the world as she grows up. 

In addition to inspiring the Missions Committee, she has already helped me to see things through different eyes. I’ve always thought I had an understanding of what parents go through in order to bring their babies to church. We’ve all seen them endure the task of lugging huge diaper bags, various toys, and don’t forget the child whom all this is for. Now that I am a parent, I am learning that this is just the beginning. As I now bring Colette out into the world, I see how difficult it is to bring babies to public places. One day I was shopping at a clothing store in Hamden with Colette. I needed to use the facilities, and a diaper needed changing, so I went to their restroom with Colette in her stroller. I could not even get through the door for the bathroom was too small, and there was no changing table for me to tend to Colette’s needs. I had to walk out of the store in search of a bigger bathroom. To my delight I was able to find a nice handicapped accessible bathroom with a diaper changing station at a coffee shop near by where I could bring in a stroller!

This made me think, “how prepared is our church in welcoming young families with babies and children?” But before we answer this question, we first need to ask, “whom do we want to invite to be part of our church family?”

We have been talking about church growth since my arrival at Grace. We have asked ourselves what we are doing wrong that we do not have new people joining the church. 

One way a family grows is through the addition of children.  But, is this whom we want to invite to our church? If not, then who are to be the ones to grow into our church family. Once we have that answer, then we can ask: What can we do to be more inviting to these people? 

It was obvious that the clothing store I went to does not wish for their customers to use their restroom since not only is their bathroom small, but you also have to ask for assistance for them to unlock it for you. The coffee shop, on the other hand, wanted their customers to feel comfortable being there. They made sure their place was welcoming and comfortable enough for the customers to stay long and enjoy their food. 

Peace in Christ,
Pastor Christine