By Beth Fultz, Director of Christian Education
mu-ta-tion – noun http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mutation
According to the online dictionary resource, Merriam-Webster, the second definition of mu-ta-tion is “a new form of something that has changed”. So perfect a definition for use in my life now as a new mother-in-law, a new grandmother – I am too young (okay, not really!) – and well into my years here at St. Stephen. You have allowed me to gum up the works at St. Stephen now for eight and one/half years and I’m ready for the mutations at work; and I don’t mean something amuk with Mark, Eddie, Fritz, or any volunteers.
My grandchild, Miss Kennedi, aged 8 months, is babbling like a flooded brook. I fully expect her to start singing the hymns with me in church as she warms up her vocal chords quite perceptively each time we praise in song. I’m ready for these mutations in her life and in mine. What a joy, grandchildren! Son-in-law, Steven, is delightfully in love with my eldest daughter, Emily, and I am assured that their life together is solid and needing NOT my intervention and guidance and interference. What a mutation from the normal me!
As for St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, I am ready to mix it up and rattle the cages! The youth chose their location choices for a mission trip! I’m following a rabbit down a hole in Nashville per their choice of towns; and letters are being sent to Atlanta looking for another clue as to where we’re headed this summer. The Youth are now helping with suggestions for Activities on Sunday nights including the Burrito Project and a Ping Pong Tournament. Cathy Corder is anchoring the theme for a new Vacation Bible School curriculum. And with a little help from me, we’ll add some developmentally appropriate activities for all the ages served this summer. Oh, the theme? Jesus healing the handicapped: the blind, the deaf, the lame. We will extend it into the real world and include lots of handicappable activities for all children so that we understand limitations and infinite possibilities when life hands one a mutation.
Saints Alive, what a crew of organizing fiends! Dramatic changes are coming due to the daring board of individuals who met and want MORE opportunities for Fellowship! (see article within the Sentinel) Saints Alive is now planned every month in 2014 including the summer and 2 weeks earlier in November and December; there are also 5 planned day excursions in and around North Texas!
The Christian Education Committee wants to fully hot wire the Parish Hall and Youth Basement so that we can use the wi-fi in the entire Education Building. We also want to invite special guests during the Sunday School hour monthly to different Sunday School Classes on a variety of topics as Dr. Ariel Feldman, professor at Brite, bringing King David to life. Maybe we’ll bring in speakers on financial issues and medical insurance; over-scheduling our lives and how to stop it; theological ideas of import; maybe an author whose books are of great interest. We’ll see …that is being investigated now.
Who knows where this will end. Maybe I will take everything out of my office and just put back 1/10 of what is there. Don’t count on that action, but it is worth mentioning just in case my risk taking goes that far. Change, mutation. What’s there to be scared of? It’s time to experiment and I’m ready. I’m with Kennedi; help me grow with her changes as she succeeds or fails with glee and abandon. I’m Gah Gah for my grandchild and her entry into toddler hood. I’m also agog for St. Stephen Presbyterian Church and the possibilities to come! Join me in this abandon. One mutation with a little sugar, please!