Two Families Reflect

The Fryling Family 

by Brent and Jodi Fryling

“They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.” (Ps. 1:3)

The first time our family came to Christ the Redeemer Church was just over a year ago. I distinctly remember the four of us walking into the sanctuary and Daniel our oldest son pulling me down to his height and whispering in my ear, “Dad this is a real church.” As we were enjoying the service that day it struck me that although our entire family had been going to church together for the last decade, this might have been the first time that we were worshipping in an actual traditional church building.

Our sons Daniel and Isaac (now ages 10 and 11) had been born during a chapter of international work for our family and to them “church” meant a hotel conference room, a friend’s living room, or a school gym. They had never seen an actual altar, stained glass, or a preacher wearing anything but a sports coat and tie, or a polo shirt and jeans depending on which evangelical fellowship we were attending.

Having recently moved back to the North Shore from work overseas, we felt we were beginning to put down roots but had an ongoing worry about how the boys would adjust, where they would find their place in this new life in America. I still remember Jodi sending me a picture of Daniel on his first day at school in North Beverly – he stood alone against a gym wall – watching friends greet one another after a summer away; he looked petrified. My heart went out to him. I wanted him to belong, I wanted us to belong somewhere in this new life we found ourselves in.

I also have an even more vivid memory of seeing Daniel and Isaac on the altar at Christ the Redeemer being baptized, publicly recognizing their new life in Jesus Christ, publicly becoming members of the family of Christ.

When we first came to Christ the Redeemer, we did not know what liturgy was. The boys were used to spending 10 minutes in a service and then scurrying off to children’s church. We were worried that the boys would find CTR too different, too formal or too boring. Very quickly, both boys chose to worship with us instead of leaving mid-service for “class.”

Jodi and I found the prayers prayed by saints for hundreds of years and the incorporation of Scripture into the services refreshing and grounding. Father Tim’s sermon series on DNA, the very meaning of life, drew us in so much so that if we were traveling we would hunt for the recording of the sermon online before the week ended, but we did not know how our sons would adapt to our new church home.

After over a year of our family being at Christ the Redeemer one word I might use to describe our experience as a family here is: rooted. This is especially true of Daniel and Isaac. From catechesis, to meals shared after the Eucharist, to time spent with families in our home group, to youth group, the boys have been happily discovering a community of people who love Christ and therefore care and love them, people who love their neighbors and care about truth, people who see beauty in art and music, people who take joy in a meal shared together, people who are thrilled to encounter God in His creation or in history, people who are young, people who are old, people who are rich, people who are poor, and people who belong to the family of God!  Under the leadership of Father Brian and older members of the youth program, our sons are talking about the Bible with someone besides Mom or Dad. As I write this, Daniel is at youth group which he is excited to go to every Sunday even when there is a Patriots game happening.

I have realized that for our family, Christ the Redeemer is an answer to a prayer that I did not even know I should have been praying, but have now begun to pray: Holy God and Father allow our family to belong to, to be rooted in, Your family, for the Glory of your Name and service to the North Shore and the world, Amen.

 

The Keifer Family by Jennifer Keifer

As a child, then a teacher, then a parent, I always knew the children’s ministries at the various churches I attended were lacking something, but I couldn’t identify what it was. When I researched the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd online as we were contemplating joining CTR last spring, I knew I had finally found what I’d always been yearning for in a children’s ministry.

I want my children to learn how to “Be still and know that I am God.” I want them to learn to love and trust Jesus as their Good Shepherd, and to treasure His Word as a priceless gift.  I want them to understand that this priceless gift of God’s Word is saturated with gospel grace, and it is certainly not a library of easily simplified morality tales. I want them to learn that there is nothing this world can offer that is better than an intimate relationship with our extravagant God of abundance.

At CTR, extensively trained catechists teach my children with respect and dignity as God’s image-bearers, not as inconveniences to be kept busy while the adults worship. They gently guide them with careful and precise language as the children are led to ponder, meditate, observe, and engage with the Scriptures. The content has resonated with my children. On All Saint’s Day, I thought my heart might burst with joy as all eight of my children, ages six to sixteen, publicly declared their faith in Christ and eagerly chose to be baptized. The Holy Spirit is actively drawing them to Christ. They are owning their faith and growing in grace, praise God! I am so very thankful that God led us to this community of Spirit-led believers with its beautiful vision for my children’s formation.

 

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