August 2008 Responses
Each month I send out a question regarding the church in the perspective of the kids. They respond either before church or during the services. I place them here on the website.
This month's question:
What do you like most about church? What makes you feel that you belong?
"What I like most about church is how it brings together Armenian families and every time we attend the Badarak we learn something new that strengthens our faith in God. What makes me feel like I belong is when I am here with my family and we are joined with other families who have so much love for the Armenian Apostolic Church. I also enjoy learning about my Armenian heritage and the fun games that we play at church."
- MZ
"What I like most about church is that it is a place of worship. It brings people together, and we celebrate the various occasions. Praying makes you feel closer to God. Another thing that I like about church is that there are many kids around. We can get together once a month, even if we don't see each other often. In church activities, we share ideas about each other and the world around us. What makes me feel that I belong is the cheeriness in the air. I generally regard myself as a happy person, and like being around happy people. I also have several roles such as "clicker" and sometimes singing solos."
- KKD
"In my church we learn a lot. We learn about Christianity and the teachings of Christ. But the thing I like most about our church is that we can trust the people in church. In church I help by holding candles and singing in the kids' chorus. This is what makes me feel that I belong."
- KZ
"I like it when we light the candles and pray. I feel that I belong here because it gives me a chance to be closer with God. What I really like about church is that I finally have a chance to pray for my family so they'll have a better chance in life."
- MD
"I like to pray, sing, and cooperate with the church because I feel like I am helping to keep the Armenian language and Christianity of this church alive. I also like church because I take a break off of boring house work. I feel like I belong because I help a lot at Church. That makes me feel proud of myself."
- AID
"I like to light the candles and be with my family. I feel that I belong here because I come here with my family to pray."
- GD
"I like to pray and play outside. I feel like I belong because I help set up chairs."
- AA
"I like the church because people are Armenian and a feel a part of them. I also like it because we learn about Christ and God. The thing I like most is nobody smokes or drinks."
- HZ
"I like to come and light the candles. I like to keep the floor clean."
- KG
"I like to light candles. I feel like I belong because I encourage others to sing."
- VG
"I like about church is we pray, eat, and sing songs. I like church because Dad blesses us. I belong in church because it is a happy place. I belong in church because there are new things. In church there are a lot of things to lean about. In church we sing the songs and pray and listen."
- HMD