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Yes, bring your children to Maundy Thursday worship

I talked with Rev. Diane Faires, Associate Minister at St. Paul's Christian Church, who is planning our joint worship for Maundy Thursday.  She said young children are definitely welcome and will find ways to connect in the worship service. 

Soup and bread dinner at 6:30pm in St. Paul's fellowship hall (dinner with vegetarian options is being provided)
Worship 7pm in St. Paul's sanctuary

What to expect:
The core of the service is a dramatic reading of the stories of Maundy Thursday, including Jesus's washing of his disciples feet and the eating of the meal which we now remember as communion.  While Diane didn't mention them, I believe they usually also include the stories of Judas betraying Jesus, Jesus' prayers in Gethsemane garden, and his arrest.  While the reading won't involve costumes or acting, multiple readers will be doing the reading and the stories are engaging.

After the reading, people will be invited to come forward for communion by intinction (dipping bread in grape juice) and to have their hands washed (instead of feet).  Just as at CUCC, at St. Paul's parents decide when their children are ready for communion.  Your children are welcome.

How to prepare your children:
Diane suggested that the night before (Wednesday night) you use a children's Bible or simply tell the children the stories of Maundy Thursday.  Look at John 13:1-20 for the footwashing story and Mark 14:12 to 52 for everything except the footwashing story.

Diane said there are two parts of the story which children might find confusing.
First, the bread and grape juice aren't really made of someone's body and blood.  These are symbols to help us remember Jesus.
Second, Jesus wasn't arrested because he was bad.  Sometimes people who work for justice get arrested, even though what they are doing is good.

- posted by Jane Smith