Me? Start a Neighborhood Children’s Class?!!

I was so inspired by this story from the Waukesha, WI (B) cluster! It spoke to me because of the ’struggles’ that this grandmother used to begin her service for the benefit of the children in her neighborhood. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

I’m a grandmother. Surely the Universal House of Justice wasn’t talking to me when the it asked us to begin neighborhood children’s classes! After prayerfully reflecting on the messages from the Supreme Body, I decided to take a leap of faith and quiet the inner voice telling me I was “too old.”

First I struggled with the question of how to attract young mothers and children to my home. Again the Universal House of Justice came to my rescue! I constructed a flier with the following quotation from the Ridván 157 Message: “Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future.” I sent invitations to my neighbors inviting them to classes that would “help our children gain a sense of community” and help them understand that “they are most honored and cherished.” I told the neighbors that their children would engage in activities that would include storytelling, nature discovery, arts, music, and movement and that all the activities would cultivate virtues. It worked! Parents and children came! We have gradually transformed our home and yard into a child-centered environment. My daughter-in-law takes invitations to the local library story hour and, through this and by word of mouth, our small beginnings have blossomed.

There is now an average of 16 children along with their parents attending the classes. We live in a rural neighborhood where parents and children rarely come together, so it is a treat to witness the deep connections that have resulted. Tears came to one parent’s eyes after attending her first class. She said she had felt alone for many years and never imagined she would connect with anyone in this community.