When I was growing up, my Greek Orthodox relatives and church family never said Happy Easter. During Easter season we greeted each other, in Greek, with the phrase "Christ is Risen". The response was (also in Greek of course ) "The Lord in risen indeed." Later today, I will call my parents and exchange this ancient greeting for about the 50th year (I'm not counting a few of my early years). For those of you who don't follow the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar, today is Orthodox Easter.
Meanwhile, it's still Easter in our Godly Play classroom and will be for weeks to come. We began our class today with singing, as always, thanks to Mrs. Ann Williams and the lovely organ she arranged to have donated to our Sunday School. The children joyfully sang songs that have fast become favorites. The congregation will be hearing these songs in "big" church on May 17 and again on Youth Sunday in June. Don't miss the next time the Sunday School Children/Parents/Teachers Choir leads the congregation. Palm Sunday was good...and we're only getting better!
With the singing over, the children gathered in a circle for prayer and today's lesson. They were in a hushed silence as I told the empty tomb story. During the discussion that followed the story, children wondered about ways Jesus' body could have disappeared. No one could quite figure out how Jesus could have materialized on that path and been known to Mary (his friend, not mother) when he called her by name.
In the past, some circle sessions, having confronted such mysteries, such BIG questions, have wound down with a child saying that "God can do anything" or "nothing is impossible for God". Not today.
This time, the children, without being asked (as is our routine) began telling ME what they wanted to draw (or make) as an art response. Trusting that the children knew best how they needed to work on their BIG question, we ended the circle and the art response began.
If their art work was any indication, crosses, tombs and the alive-again Christ seemed to be on the children's minds. Each child worked intently creating what was was important to him (all boys today). The single exception was our our oldest student of the morning, though the story was clearly on his mind. This seven year old stayed with the story materials. He busied himself re-telling the story using our clay tomb and the wooden figures that represented Jesus, the women and the angel.
I'm not saying our children figured everything out. I am just suggesting that this morning's boys explored a big question, for a short time, in a way that was meaningful to them.
And for that: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Next week we'll hear about an other resurrection appearance and continue practicing our songs. We look forward to seeing your children--old friends, newcomers and visitors. Parents, you are invited to visit as well!
Watch this space for a picture of today's lesson. As soon as I figure out how to post it I will!
Faithfully,
Chris Yeannakis
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