'Faith of our grandparents living still'.

My maternal grandfather died three weeks before I was born, and I was given his name as my middle name. My paternal grandfather also died when I was very young. My grandmothers, however, were key figures throughout my formative years. Along with my parents, they gave me a solid foundation in the Christian faith.

What did I learn from them? I learned family is the bedrock of an anchored life. I learned home is a beautiful place where friends gather and are warmly welcomed. I learned friends are second only to family in importance. I learned community work is our response for the privilege of living in a blessed country. My grandmothers taught me a garden gives pleasure and healthy work--shovelling snow and cutting grass are good physical exercise. (Today it is called ecology.) I learned African violets like cold tea. I learned the church is a source of strength and wisdom. I learned death comes to all, and we should cherish the days we are given. I learned the Bible is a tool with which to approach the world, not a club with which to conquer it. I learned there are many disappointments in life, and there are days when sadness should be embraced and worked through, but happier days are sure to follow.

My grandmothers showed me how quiet hobbies build up one's spirit and a game of Chinese checkers unites and provides enjoyable entertainment to those who are older. I learned small tasks done around the house of an older person have a value far beyond accomplishing the obvious. I learned a young person visiting an older person on a quiet snowy evening is cherished in both hearts for years to come. I learned physical setbacks will happen, but quiet dignity is honoured, and both young and old can learn great lessons from such tribulations. My grandmothers showed me things many saints learned only after a lifetime of struggle: "the sacrament of the present moment" prayer pays loving attention to the smallest details, and our simplest acts can have great significance. I learned the village cenotaph should be honoured for it signifies great sacrifice, brings together the memories of many people and remembers people who are still part of our lives although they no longer live among us.

Faith and the foundations for one's spiritual life are generally not gleaned from a course, seminar, textbook or five-point plan. I believe they come primarily from people closest to a child in his or her formative years. Along with nay parents and grandparents was a wonderful array of people in my home church and the wider Killam, Alta., community. Schoolteachers, hospital workers, farmers, ranchers and merchants on main street--each person, a member of one of the six churches in the town, contributed to raising all the children.

One of the most enduring memories of my years with the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria centres on a visit I made to the northern Nigerian and largely Muslim city of Kano. A modern sprawling city has grown up around the old clay-walled city, and at its heart is a huge mosque. Each Friday, the streets leading to the mosque are closed to motorists as thou sands of worshippers head to that area. Few get inside the mosque--only the fortunate, the strong and the privileged. Most line up on the sweets radiating out from the mosque. One very hot Friday, I stood on one such street and watched the faithful gather. Row upon row of men took their positions; each stood with a prayer mat unrolled before him.

I noticed one man, resplendent in a white robe and carrying his mat under his arm, arriving with his young son in equally glimmering robe mad white cap. He took his place beside the other men, unrolling his mat. The son, after gazing all around, stood silently beside his father. The man did not speak. The prayers commenced. Thousands upon thousands of men stood, bowed, knelt and rose again in unison. The young boy remained standing, obviously captivated by the sea of humanity all around him. The father still did not speak to his son. The men repeated their movements--standing, bowing and kneeling. After some time, the young boy unrolled his mat and joined his father--bowing, kneeling, head resting on his mat, rising.

I was reminded of this recently. It was 5:50 a.m. I was driving out of Toronto and stopped at a red light. Crossing the road was a man in Muslim garb, his prayer mat under his arm, heading to morning prayers. Beside him, wearing a Raptors jacket with Muslim garb beneath, was his young son. That was the genesis of this article.

While I would not haul people back to the 1950s and 1960s, I believe a challenge lies before parents and grandparents today. As we set out on summer holidays, I hope there will be many gatherings of grandchildren and grandparents. I also hope parents and children will spend quality time together, sharing their sources of joy and happiness, their aspirations, dreams and frustrations, their special hobbies and stories from school and workplace. Within that sharing, I hope grandparents feel free to express what the church means to them--and how they hope their beliefs and faith are being passed on. If they are expressed in genuine, heartfelt words, a seed will be sown. This should not be a guilt trip or a heavy-duty session but rather a spontaneous, honest sharing of what a person feels is life-giving and strengthening. Pass on your faith in God, life and love. Share what makes you smile, cry and laugh. Share friendship.

One of the many fascinating reports to the 130th General Assembly was Ministry with Children, Youth and Their Families. It stated in part: "Christ, the Prince of Peace, calls his followers to seek peace in the world. Shalom is the biblical model of peace-full living, which was embodied in Christ. Peace is the proper condition in which people are to live with one another. Life is to be non-violent and non-exploitative. Shalom values the harmony or well-being of human life that God intends. To pursue peace is to build one another up (Romans 14:19). It is not to cause harm or injury.

"The condition of Shalom is enjoyed intimately in the family where faith develops (Genesis 13:8, 2 Timothy 1:5-7). Faith is first encountered in the family and then expressed personally. Shalom, whether in blood or spiritual families, depends on instruction, models and relationships. Shalom extends to others through a covenant of peace."

The report noted that "the majority of parents have never discussed racism, sexism or violence in the media with their children." This is part of the challenge before us. Through genuine concern and in "family space" grandparents can share their concerns about these and many other issues. These are issues confronting most youth today, and they want to know how to handle life. They need concrete examples of how real people--like their grandparents--live their lives with honesty, openness, truth and humour.

There is an African saying: "It takes a village to raise a child?' All children need role models. They need kind adults who express values and ideals in their lives. Spiritual life is not divorced from other aspects of life. Life is all interrelated. Happiness in the arena, the mall, the school playground is all part of spiritual well-being. "Church" is not tucked off in a little corner somewhere. If a granddaughter is being bullied in the schoolyard, that is a spiritual matter. If a grandson is having trouble with grades and concentration, that is a spiritual matter. If a grandmother is facing retirement or divorce or illness, that is a spiritual matter. Sharing our feelings and concerns about these issues is part of what the Christian faith is about.

Here is a challenge to grandparents: express your faith. Tell your children and grandchildren you want them to come with you to church on a special Sunday, or on any Sunday. Tell them what the church means to you. Tell your families what you appreciate about your community, music, world events, the church. Proclaim God's word and love. Your faith is a great gift and inheritance--it is what makes you a family and ties you to your children and grandchildren.

Your faith is about eternity. Be bold in sharing it. Pass it on.

Moderator's itinerary

July 8-16 15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand

August 1 75th anniversary Camp Kintail, Goderich, Ont.

August 20-27The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria 50th anniversary of partnership between the PCC and PCN