The Grandpa Program
by Cara Koch, Director
First Congregational Church (UCC)
Colorado Springs, CO
 

Children’s Worship at First Congregational Church in Colorado Springs has a new twist. We have six to eight Grandpas in red vests join our preschool class the first Sunday of every month. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful—a place where children and Grandpa’s can slow down and connect with each other.

We know that children’s earliest concept of God is based on the early nurturing experience they have when they are young. In today’s fast-paced world there is a special need for children to have a time when they can sit quietly and be heard. Who better than those who have a lifetime of wisdom, and are at a time in their lives when they are ready to slow down and contemplate what is really important, should have this opportunity to share their gifts and insights with the newest generation? And, as to the benefit that Grandpa’s receive, theologian Pamela Couture puts it well: “…connections with children are a means of grace, a vehicle through which God makes God’s self known.”

Framed photos of each child with their parents are on a table near the door. This helps the children feel welcome, and assists the teacher and Grandpa’s with knowing who is who.

The classroom has the feel of a Grandparents’ living room. There are thee child-sized round tables each set with a tablecloth, napkins and a china demitasse set for serving hot chocolate and tiny muffins. A low, round altar is the focal point in the center of the room, complete with a Bible, candle, silver cross, and a small bouquet of flowers. Around the periphery of the room are comfortable wing-backed chairs for the Grandpas. Quilts and floor pillows help create an ambience of warmth and nurture to the room.

With one or two Grandpa’s at each table, the children seat themselves at the table as they come into the classroom. They are encouraged to pour their own hot chocolate from a small pitcher—refilled as needed from the larger pitcher—by a Grandpa. Following grace and conversation time, the children move to a circle around the altar. Grandpa’s either join the circle sitting on the floor or observe from a wingback chair as they choose.

Worship time, lead by the teacher, follows the general format of  the Blessing Center chapel time, and ends with each child receiving a blessing with blessing balm.

Following worship, each child chooses a discovery box, and then finds a Grandpa to sit with and discover what is inside their box. They may find a collection of rocks with a magnifying glass, or a box filled with a collection of seashells, for example. Sometimes Grandpa’s create a box themselves with objects to explore and talk about. There is also a wide selection of carefully chosen books with a spiritual message for Grandpa’s to read, if they and their child for the morning want a story.

Cara Koch continues

I am observing this responsiveness to a quiet, slower pace with my Grandpa program.  One child, a 4 year old boy, I have observed "climbing the walls" during regular church.  He can't sit still, and his mother constantly has to get up and go after him during the service. 

When he is in Children's Worship there is none of that behavior, whatsoever.  When I tell the children to "open your eyes when you are ready" he doesn't--he remains with his eyes closed the whole time we are passing the lamb, till it is his turn. (I wait for him for a long time after the others open their eyes, but finally go ahead with the lamb sharing when I sense the other children ready to move on.) 

He is totally calm the whole time, and engages readily with his Grandpa after prayer time.

I think the work we are doing is the beginning of something that is going to be truly  transformational in how we work with children and their families...”

►Cara Koch is a student in the Blessing Based Spiritual Nurture Doctor of Ministry Program at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.