Moment for Mission Archive

Good morning. I’m Cheryl Pyrch, the Associate for Educational Ministries here, and you can see in your program that I’m doing the Moment for Mission with Holly Nedelka. Holly is the director of our Child’s Play program, but she couldn’t be here today because she also directs the Sunday School at West Park Presbyterian Church. So I’m reading a Moment for Mission that she’s written for us.

The Child's Play program began here at Rutgers in 1991 and was the only week-day children's program at the time. The Session responded to the needs of families in the neighborhood, and I especially remember the support of Dr. Vera Roberts for the proposal. Now, years later, it is one of many programs for families here at Rutgers. It has been so wonderful to work with the church staff and the Christian Education Committee; Child’s Play is one way the church lives out Jesus's call to welcome the little children. Many times parents have told me how much they appreciate the support of Rutgers.

Child's Play is a play group for parents with their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. It provides a safe, colorful and educational place for families to be in a group and play together. Most are mothers from the neighborhood who are staying home to raise and care for their children, which can be difficult for many reasons. [Holly doesn’t spell out these reasons, but we can imagine what they are: loneliness, exhaustion!, wondering if you are doing the right thing. It’s wonderful to be able to come and meet other parents and to share the stresses and joys of parenting]. Also, there are many international families here in the city for a short time who need a place to go to meet others in the same situation. Some are families who can't afford the higher priced programs in this area. It's reassuring to many of the parents to have the opportunity to talk about children's development with other parents and to make new friends. Over the years, we've had baby groups, toddlers, 3's and 4's and homeschool age children.

We also started a spiritual support group for mothers on Fridays. [I’d like to add that this is the most popular Christian Education program that we offer! A number of parents come faithfully every Friday to read the Bible, or to discuss a book, or to talk about other spiritual issues. And some participants in this group have joined the church]. Families also appreciate the pastoral care they have known, especially in times of tremendous grief, such as after 9/11. This steadfast care continues to be there.

Thanks again. I hope you will have some time to stop by and see the Child's Play program in action, on the fourth floor.

Holly