You may be aware that I became a grandfather just over a week ago. Our first grandchild, a boy, was born in Norwest Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning 29^th April. This is a joyous time. It’s one that brings extended family together as a new generation is established and life goes on.

Parents, grandparents and great grandparents have much to celebrate. So do Aunts and Uncles and all those who enjoy relationships with children. For children are one of the greatest gifts of all. We may not always feel that way. My son and daughter-in-law are already learning that parenting is not easy! However, little matches the absolute delight of holding a new-born and marvelling at this incredible new creation.

Children are valued in every place. I remember in Indonesia where my wife and I raised our first daughter and our son, children had an important place in the community. Here, they were always included in whatever was going on.

In West Epping we are committed to ministry with children and our commitment is to be inclusive of children in worship and in the various activities that take place in this congregation over the week. Children are simply a great blessing. We must never forget this.

Some years ago I remember being at my Dad’s bedside in a regional hospital on the north coast of NSW. The doctor had just explained that Dad, now in a coma, did not have much time left to live. I felt sad and I went for a short walk down the corridor to ease the pain. Here I met a young mum carrying a new born baby. Our eyes met and in the matter of minutes, under the one roof, I had walked from a place of impending death to enter a space where new life had just sprung forth.

We die – but we are also gifted with new life. Here children are our hope.

In West Epping let’s continue our commitment to children. Let’s indeed build upon the good work that is taking place. For children are a wonderful blessing. They are our future. Importantly, they are a most precious gift from God!

John Barr