Wonder, Grow, Play, Create - Love
Rev. Mary Beth Morgan, preaching
Mark 10:13-16
It was likely an ordinary February day, in 1969, when a small committee was formed to explore the possibility of starting a Nursery School at St. Mark’s. The following October, St, Mark’s Nursery School began with one class of three-year-olds. Since then, well over 100 teachers, hundreds of children and families from Bloomington and all over the world, have been blessed by this incredible ministry.
As we prepare to celebrate the 50th Birthday of the Nursery School & Kindergarten this Sunday, I imagine that the seed for this may have been someone simply saying “I wonder if we might start a Nursery School?” Nurturing a sense of wonder remains a cornerstone. Mary Jane VanHook, who was the Nursery School Director for decades, had this quote from Rachel Carson posted in her office: “For a child to keep alive her inborn sense of wonder, she needs at least one adult with which to share it, rediscovering with her the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in,” The same is true for our spiritual growth.
This Sunday, we hear from the Gospel of Mark of a time when people were bringing children to Jesus so he might bless them. His disciples try to send them away, but Jesus said “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to those such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” Jesus started with a small group of disciples, and nurtured a sense of wonder with them by his example, and in parables and possibilities. We are called to nurture this, as well.
We begin every Sunday with breakfast anytime between 9:00-10:15 am. Nursery School alumni and friends, of all ages, will be participating in worship leadership. We welcome and celebrate the presence of everyone in worship, from all faith and spiritual traditions or none in particular. Please stay after worship for a great 50th Birthday Party with lunch, birthday cake, singing, Aaron Messer (the amazing balloon guy) and more. (See the expanded article in this newsletter for more information.) There is no cost for breakfast or lunch. Donations are appreciated to support the Mary Jane VanHook Nursery School Scholarship fund. If you are a Nursery School alum, teacher, parent, friend, part of the greater community, or didn’t even know we had a Nursery School, we look forward to worshiping and celebrating together this Sunday!