Dear People of St. John’s,

     Another school year has begun.  Please join in fervent prayer for all students, teachers, administrators, support personnel, and parents.  We are gearing up for another year of Christian formation at St. John’s, as well.  I do not need to remind you that every one of you is a teacher in this place.  By word and deed you communicate the priorities of your life, what you value, and what you believe to be foundational in developing and living a Christian life.  You are involved in the educational process in this church and in this community.  We have good schools, but the educational endeavor cannot be done solely by what happens inside school walls.  Parents, grandparents, godparents, Christian formation teachers, preachers, parish leaders, and church members serve as the educators of our young people.  It does indeed take all of us.

     Several years ago the United States Chamber of Commerce issued a publication entitled “How to Train Your Child to be a Delinquent.”  It said:

1. When your child is still an infant, give him everything he wants.  This way he’ll think the world owes him a living when he grows up.
2. When he picks up swearing and off-color jokes, laugh at him, encourage him.  As he grows up, he’ll pick up cuter phrases that will floor you.
3. Never give him any spiritual training.  Wait until he is twenty-one and let him decide for himself.
4. Avoid using the word ‘wrong.’  It will give your child a guilt complex.  You can condition him to believe later, when he is arrested for stealing a car, that society is against him and he is being persecuted.
5. Pick up after him; his books, his shoes, and clothes.  Do everything for him so he will be experienced in throwing all responsibility onto others.
6. Let him read all printed matter he can get his hands on…(Never think of monitoring his TV programs).  Sterilize the silverware, but let him feast his mind on garbage.
7. Quarrel frequently in his presence.  Then he won’t be too surprised when his own home is broken up later.
8. Satisfy his every craving for food, drink, and comfort.  Every sensual desire must be gratified; denial may lead to harmful frustrations.
9. Give your child all the spending money he wants.  Don’t make him earn his own.  Why should he have things as tough as you did?
10. Take his side against neighbors, teachers, and policemen.  They’re all against him.
11. When he gets into real trouble, make up excuses for yourself by saying, ‘I never could do anything with him; he’s just a bad seed.’
12. Prepare for a life of grief and misery.

     It really doesn’t have to be that way.  Our children are our most precious and needed resource.  We cannot afford to throw any more of them on the trash heap.  We do not have to do so.  The very best way to counteract the above prescription for disaster is to have parents become parents again, who can count on the support and participation of neighbors, friends, and family in the overall educating and rearing of their child. 

     I hope, and ask you to join me in prayer, that this is the very best year for every one of our children.  God bless each one of them and each one of you, their teachers.

                                                               Peace,                                                                                                                                                                                 Tom

Inquirer’s Classes

     The rector will be holding a series of classes for those who may wish to learn more about the Episcopal Church.  The classes will be held on September 4, 11, 18, and 25, from 7:00-8:00 PM, in his office.  These sessions are open to anyone who may wish to attend, particularly those who may wish to be confirmed when Bishop Powell comes for the Episcopal visitation on September 30^th.