wfn.org | Child's Eye View of United Church of Christ Synod 22 in Providence

[George Conklin <gconklin@wfn.org>]

United Church of Christ
Office of Communication
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
contact: Barbara Powell
phone: 216-736-2222
email: powellb@ucc.org
http://www.ucc.org

by Pam Smith
PROVIDENCE, RI - July 5 1999  - For Mark Daniel of St. Paul’s United Church of
Christ in Fleetwood, Pa., the best part of General Synod so far has been his
tour of the State House, especially the paintings of the governors. A big
Cezanne fan, he also loved the tour of the Rhode Island School of Design
museum. When asked if this is his first General Synod, the 10 year old says,
“Well, it’s the second one I can remember.”
        Mark, along with about 25 other children, is savoring every plenary,
worship service and workshop, because that’s when the Child Care Center under
the direction of Darlene Mixer of Park Place Congregational UCC in Pawtucket is
open. 
        Enter the doors of Room 550B in the Rhode Island Convention Center, and
suddenly resolutions and committee hearings fade from memory. A dozen
childrenmostly elementaryschool ageare making stamps to decorate Tshirts for an
upcoming trip to the zoo.  The children first look through a book for ideas, or
sketch an original design.  Then, they apply glue and string to construct an
original stamp.  At every step of the way, they are cooperative, joyful, even
exuberant. No one, with the exception of one toddler who misses her mom, has a
complaint in the world. When enthusiasm begins to wane, Darlene introduces a
new activity. This isn’t the babysitter’sthis is a quality educational and
recreational program.
        Children ranging from 16 months to 12 years have watched a puppet show,
made souvenirs, and even participated in a service project for the Hispanic
Evangelical Soup Kitchen. While some participants made bologna and cheese
sandwiches for the soup kitchen, others wrote messages to include in the brown
bags. The children have even taken field trips to such places as the roller
skating rink, the local zoo, the Rhode Island State House and two local art
museums. Parents pay $5 per session (there are three daily) and the balance of
costs comes from Synod administrative budget.
        Jean Davis of Four Corners Community Chapel UCC chose to volunteer in
the center because “I have 13 grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren, seven
childrenand I wanted to be here.”
        Amity Royen, a 16 year old from Pennsylvania Southeast is the daughter
of a delegate and the older sister of Ariel, a participant in the program.
Amity assisted with infant care at General Synod 21 in Columbus, Ohio but says
this is the first time there has been a program for older children at a synod.
She has attended the dances and the afterhours events of the youth programs and
found them enjoyable, but speaks for many of the children and youth here when
she says, “I really have fun here!”