For about 2 years Kate, Abi, and their friends Anna and Abby, have been “Utopia” — this girls-only club they founded at Covenant, our little church community. No boys are allowed, and for this reason I cannot tell you much about it. I think they probably have some bylaws and rules and such. Maybe a secret handshake. This is the kind of club every kid has when they’re young, the kind of club where children try out leadership and rules and systems for the first time. I think most of the members have heard about Utopia by now. The boys seem oblivious, and the grownups think it’s precious. The next-youngest cadre of girls, Isabel, Maddie and Emma, have been allowed in as well. Utopia’s mission, as near as I can tell, is centered around loving God and following Jesus and helping the planet and helping people in need and playing in the woods on the property at the church. Occasionally you’ll see colorful papers — usually written in crayon by Kate and equally prolific Anna (the ringleader), and push-pinned to the bulletin board in the hallway — announcing a kid-created Sunday school lesson for kids, or some other public service, all brought to you by Utopia. Shortly after Haiti’s earthquake, we saw signs pop up for a Utopia Bake Sale. Over the next few weeks the girls (median age is about 8 or 9) organized a sign-up sheet, asking for church members to sign up for various items (cookies, cakes, brownies, etc.). Last Sunday, Kate and Anna stood up in church and announced a Bake Sale reminder. Tomorrow morning the girls will be setting up and running their Utopia Bake Sale (wisely tied in with a potluck the church is having). Our family is bringing cupcakes for individual sale, but I also helped the kids make a cherry pie and an apple pie. I’m figuring we’ll do a silent auction for them. All of this money will go to Haiti (I’m not sure if the girls in Utopia already have a specific organization earmarked just yet). I’ll try and post a followup.
Utopia is absolutely my favorite thing about Covenant right now. Just absolutely my favorite thing. I think to myself, "If I've had anything to do with a church that could make room for and bless such a spontaneous act of love and coolness, then the 20 years would be worth it for that alone!
sigh
Posted by: Gordon Atkinson | Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 11:09 PM