BY CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON

Sunday Observer reporter

livingstonc@jamaicaobserver.com

The Miracle Tabernacle Free Town Church of God of Prophecy in Clarendon is on a mission to interest more community children in Sunday school.

So, for the past seven years, it has been hosting Christmas treats with a view to enlisting youngsters and their parents. In its most recent staging, held a week ago, it feted more than 180 children, up from the modest 23 with which it started in 2003.

Thanks to the contributions of local and international sponsors, the children — who came from communities such as Sandy Bay, Bodles and as far away as Rosewell and Longville Park in the parish — were treated to food, games and goody bags stuffed with an assortment of toys.

Treat facilitator Marcia Bryan said it was one of the most successful treats to date as the turnout far exceeded expectations.

“Our ultimate goal is for these children to make Sunday School a part of their lifestyle. It’s not just about giving them a good time and receiving gifts,” she explained.

“When we started it used to be just cake and sweets, with me just trying to pick up a few gifts out of my pocket,” she said.

Now, she is giving God thanks for the growth and for the input of members of her team which has seen the church giving children in the community and surrounding environs something to look forward to during the Christmas season.

For a while the organisers feared that they would have had to postpone this year’s event — originally scheduled for December 17 — until into the New Year as donations from overseas sponsors were delayed, but they were able to pull it off on the last day of the year.

“God is a miracle worker and he came through for us and so we were able to host the treat on the last day of December,” she said, adding that she was glad they didn’t disappoint the children.

Host pastor Zebulah Aiken said there is one thing that would make her completely happy: seeing the children coming out more consistently to Sunday school.

“In these times, they need the Word and it’s my wish that parents would send the kids out more often and not just when it’s time for the treat,” she said.

“They can be groomed in no better surrounding. It’s good to have them receive the Word from early than wait until they are set in their ways and resistant,” she cautioned parents.

For parent and church member Andrea Shakespeare, it was a joy watching the little ones enjoying themselves, especially her own daughter Danielle.

“Being a member of the congregation, it really did my heart proud to see the impact the church is having not just on children from the church, but also the wider community,” she said.

Eric Bryan, another church member noted that not only are more youngsters coming out to the treat, but that they are also being accompanied by a parent.

“It’s a good time to minister to them by allowing them to see love in action,” he said.

Still, Pastor Aiken wants the church to do more than fete children during the Christmas season.

“We are about ministry and meeting the needs of people,” she stressed, adding that originally, the church was called Free Town Church of God of Prophecy, but that they later added the ‘Miracle Tabernacle’ “because of the way lives were being touched”.

“There are a lot of hurting people in the world and more particularly in our communities, and if we can’t be flag bearers and have them come in to us, then who are they going to turn to?” she asked.

For 2011, the pastor wants the evangelism team to be more involved in the surrounding communities in a more tangible way.

“We are called to be on the frontline and we will be doing just that. It’s time for the church to be the church once more. People must have a reason again to trust Christians [and] that can only be done by us living exemplary lives and showing them that we are really a set-apart people.”

CAPS

Treat 10

Children enjoying their lunch at the Christmas treat put on by the Miracle Tabernacle Free Town Church of God of Prophecy a week ago.

Pastor + and + bishop

Pastor Zebulah Aiken and her husband Bishop Virgil Aiken.

Cooking

One of the church’s volunteers prepares a meal for the children. (Photos: Cecelia Campbell-Livingston)