Last week I officiated at two memorial services - which is highly unusual. At the first one there were several young children in attendance, grandchildren of the man who had passed away. After the service was over and the reception was winding down, I went into the sanctuary to put away all the AV equpment we had used. The little children were running around the sanctuary squealing with laughter, sliding under the pews, running up and down the long aisles. They were having a grand time. One of the adults was appalled at the behavior of the children and swooped them all up and told them to get out of the sanctuary. The sanctuary, in her mind, was not a place to play.
But I thought, after the sadness of a memorial service, God must have loved hearing the laughter and the squealing of the children. Although I understand the need for solemnity in the sanctuary, at times, I also think it is wonderul that children can feel free to be who they are in this space of worship.
University Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
