A New Covenant

Last Sunday (3/7/10), we began the task of writing a new covenant for our J2A group to replace the "group norms" which were still before us on an easel and aging poster pad. These "norms" were self-constructed by our group in the Fall of 2007 to provide rules for the interactions of the 11-12 year old. They are, in many ways, still valid. But, in other ways, the maturity of young adults demands more. Our covenant is no longer just about keeping keeping a youthful chaos to a dull roar; the new covenant must define a web of relationships that extend far outside the classroom. It also contains directional signals that always point the way back to the community of All Saints as a safe and restorative place.

The ideas flowed and they reflect a growing understanding about the way the world works and the things to be protected inside a community of faith. We are still working.