The Next Chapter | January 29 Devotion

People were bringing little children to Jesus in order than he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid hands on them, and blessed them. (See Matthew 19:13-15 and Mark 10:13-16)

We can relate to Jesus’ indignation over the treatment of these little ones, but in his day, the rebuff of the disciples was more normative. Children then were no doubt loved and cared for, but they were also at the bottom of the social pecking order and could be considered as property or commodities. It is in that context that Jesus defied the norm and modeled what we can easily accept: children require and deserve a safe, nurturing place in the community of faith. Indeed, their example of simple, fresh, trusting faith is lifted up for the adults to emulate. We have no problem acknowledging our responsibility for our children.

For decades our Child Development Center has been recognized as a safe place for young children to come as they learn and grow. In 2018 a new building was added to our campus to continue this important part of our ministry. But we still owe approximately $1,300,000 on the outstanding loan. Retiring this loan is a critical step toward strengthening our church’s future. By freeing our operating budget from this ongoing obligation, we both honor our support of children and free up funds for other ministries that enrich our church and community.

The Next Chapter capital campaign affirms the importance of a safe place for our youngest ones. Children are not just the future of our church and community, they are welcome participants in the church of the present. We have an opportunity to provide for the care and safety of those to whom the kingdom belongs.

Let’s retire the debt for the Child Development facility and continue our outreach to young children.

We invite you to consider a gift to the Capital Campaign, with this word of devotion:

Most gracious God, you urged your servant Moses to build a place of worship, appointed skilled craftsmen to oversee the work, and sought the many gifts of the community to beautify it. May our hearts, like theirs, be stirred and our spirits be willing to glorify you through the renovation of FUMC Waynesville. Accept our gifts of “silver and bronze,” so that walls, floors, doors, and systems become the means of gathering in the community, just as God’s generosity and hospitality have welcomed us. Transform our freewill offering for walls, floors, doors, and systems into the embrace of God’s love for all. May our light shine, in the name of Christ. Amen.

-Adapted by Reverend Donna Gaither