As we approach the months in which we celebrate Mother's Day and Father's Day, I'd like to make mention of a unique husband and wife mentioned in the New Testament who are a mother and a father of the faith for all of us.  Priscilla (Prisca) and Aquila were first introduced in Acts as they formed a bond of ministry with Paul.  The Complete Who's Who in the Bible, edited by Paul D. Gardner, states "It is generally held that Aquila was a Jewish slave who became a freedman in Rome and that Priscilla was linked to a Roman family named 'Prisca'."  "They also are mentioned by Paul also in Romans, I Corinthians and 2 Timothy." (p. 551) The writer goes on to say that the fact that Priscilla is mentioned first in almost every reference shows Paul's high regard for her ministry with her husband, lifting her to the status of equality while some theologians see it as a regard for her high social standing.  The latter seems more out of character for Paul than the former, frankly.  But that's just my opinion.
There is no mention of this couple having children, and thus no mention of whether they were good parents, in the physical sense.  However, we find them repeatedly mentioned as faithful followers of Jesus Christ who lovingly took Paul into their home to help support him in his ministry (Acts 18:3); to just as lovingly take Apollos under wing to gently instruct him the fuller knowledge of being a disciple and teacher of Jesus (Acts 18:26).  This encounter, according to the writer, "reveals that Priscilla was in no way inferior to her husband in knowledge or service.  She was an intelligent woman who was a vital part of the church's ministry in the 1st century.  She was faithful, supportive to her husband, hospitable and honourable." (551-2) Paul makes mention of this couple's leadership over a church in Corinth that met in their home (1 Cor. 16:19), certainly considered a type of parenting position.  They were considered "dear friends" of Paul's "throughout his ministry (Rom. 16:3-4)" (552) and he had his own child (so-to-speak) Timothy greet them as indicated in 2 Tim. 4:19.
We often make mention of mothers and fathers having produced children and lift up those who have been godly parents lovingly bringing their children up to know and serve the Lord.  Do not let us forget them, but honor them as is their due.  But let us also not forget the single (like Paul and many others) and married (like Aquila and Priscilla and many others) men and women in our congregations who also lovingly disciple the "children", young and old, of our congregations that they may love and serve the Lord.  God bless all our "mothers" and "fathers".
                                                            Shalom, Pastor Crawford

Food for thought from the Word:  Acts 18:1-3;  24-28"¹After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ²There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, ³and, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together--by trade they were tentmakers….²⁴Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. ²⁵He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. ²⁷And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, ²⁸for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus."