Over the years, I have cherished the hours serving in nursery.  What a privilege to spend time with the little ones.  A time to become acquainted with each child, their siblings, their parents.  As the little ones grow, the connection from nursery remains.  You see how each child develops, matures in their personality and faith, and watch as they attend other ministries at Bethany.  My heart delights when a child I met in nursery recognizes me and waves.  Smiles too—although in these days of masks the smiles are temporarily obscured.  

Serving in Seeds Nursery also provides the opportunity to connect with your fellow volunteers: adults and youth.  Volunteers visit while serving.  I cherish the opportunity to meet others and learn about them.  The shared experience of serving together gives connections and strengthen bonds.  And generates smiles and laughter.  I am reminded of a quote from Ivan Van Duyn’s November 10, 2021, Bethany Blog post about the Fellowship Team: “Time to have some fun working with others.”  

I am ambassador for nursery because serving brings me joy.  Serving in nursery is one small way of honoring and paying tribute to all those who cared for me.  I am a child of this church.   I am grateful for all those dear ones over the years who cared for me in nursery and children ministry.  

As we embark on this new year, I encourage you to be open to God’s prompting on how you can best serve Him and advance His kingdom.  If God has placed on your heart a call to serve at Bethany, to serve his children, I encourage you to volunteer to serve in Seeds Nursery.  The time commitment is minimal:  1-2 hours a month or a quarter.  One Merriam Webster definition of nursery is something that fosters, develops, or promotes.  Be part of nursery to foster, develop, and promote the little ones. 

If you are interested in serving in Seeds Nursery or in Kids Ministry, please contact Rosemary Haskins at [email protected] 360-305-7862 or Andi Shannon, [email protected], 360-424-9399. You will be blessed.  

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 9:14  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.  Psalm 8:2; Matthew 21:16.