Church is a learning environment – spiritually, academically, morally and relationally.  I am purposefully not making note here of the spiritual issues going to Church covers though I firmly believe them to be a part of the child's education.  The children have to learn to participate in both song and teaching situations – in the early years this is a self control issue and later on it covers English outcomes such as listening, taking notes, drawing conclusions.   There are group dynamic issues as they sit as a large group of kids listening to the kid’s story and as they relate to each other after church. 

For many months now Josh has lead the kids of our church in spending time most Sundays after morning tea doing a “Scavenger Hunt” – picking up all the litter around the church grounds.  (This is a local problem with itinerant people coming and going and sometimes sleeping in public areas).  Joshua motivating and leading a band of up to 8 young kids doing this, voluntarily, is a display of leadership on his behalf and citizenship and character for everyone.

Church is also an opportunity for the children to serve.  I actively encourage Jessica to help the mums of younger children by offering to watch them as they play outside on the veranda.  I know when I had young children the older children took them off my hands and I could have a conversation!

Our Sunday afternoons are generally spent sharing a meal with friends or totally unwinding doing nothing but relaxing.  This week we had friends around – unexpected friends for lunch and expected friends for afternoon tea.  This is an opportunity for the kids to see hospitality, to be available themselves and to help the family.  I think on the days we have nothing happening it is good for the children to learn to relax and enjoy their own company.