The Year of the Child
21st June 2009
‘Come on and Celebrate the Year of the Child!’ was the invitation given to the local primary school and to the congregation of St. George’s, Pontesbury.
Led by the Reverend Sylvia Turner, children from the church’s Under 5s Little Dragons group and Friday Club, along with children from Pontesbury Primary School, joined the usual congregation for a service of Celebration and Hope for all children here and in the wider world.
A party atmosphere with balloons, cake, gifts and joyful singing made this an occasion full of fun and anticipation. Reasons for celebration were considered with the help of a ‘Celebrations Cake’ containing items which indicated celebration; bootees for a new baby, christening robe, birthday present, medals, trophies and certificates for achievement and, most importantly, a cross.
Volunteer(?) grandparents were questioned by pupils from the primary school concerning their own childhood memories and the happiness they celebrated.
A serious note was struck by the example of the plight of some children who have little to celebrate, being employed as cheap labour sewing footballs. However, hope for the future of such children was supported by the decision to collect and donate funds towards Save the Children Charity working in Pakistan.
Little Dragons encouraged everyone to express their own gift of happiness by joining in a lusty rendition of, ‘If You’re Happy and You Know it!’ In particular, the verse which asks for those who are happy to say, ‘We are!’ was hugely popular.
A Prayer for Children - Year of the Child 2009 was movingly read by children from the school, followed by a prayer for dads, it also being Fathers’ Day.
The Service ended by the feeding of the masses with a real celebration cake and drinks, a very competitive Fathers’ Race, followed by the release of three white doves. (The latter being a sign of celebration – not as a peace settlement after the race!).
A celebration day for Pontesbury – indeed, a day of celebration for children everywhere.
