Priest Says...

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is probably the most well-known story Jesus ever told and is a staple for primary and secondary schools when looking at the life of Jesus. What I love about the parables of Jesus is there is always another perspective that brings them even more to life. Following a fantastic talk by Chris Curtis from Youthscape at the National Youth Ministry Weekend on this very parable, it has now become the basis for the church visits I have over the next few months.

Last Sunday, I led the Parade Service at St Albans URC (the Homewood Rd site) for the third time (we are already booked in for the next one too, so this is now definitely a regular ministry for Step). About 50 young people from various uniform groups attended, including Brownies, Cubs and Scouts. Many of them know Step from their schools but not all. A couple of the Year 5 Brownies, who are now thoroughly looking forward to their Step Up Day next year at their primary school, spontaneously and enthusiastically performed the actions of our last song (This Little Light of Mine) so they are now signed up for an upfront role in October with the leader keen to prepare them for it.

One of the takeaways from Chris Curtis’ talk at our weekend away was his observation that the Levite could well have seen the Priest walk by first. This is something I’d never even entertained before, but it makes a huge difference to the story if that was the case. It makes sense, given the Levite’s role was to assist the priest, that he would have conformed to what he saw the priest do (which was to seek comfort and convenience ahead of compassion due to the risk of ceremonial repercussions had he touched a dead body). In true Step style, we introduced this section with a whole church adapted game of Simon Says. The inaugural game of ‘Priest Says’ went down a treat and was the perfect illustration ahead of the message of not always conforming to the world around us.

The service also included a couple of prayerful reflective activities. The picture in this article is some of the responses to what people were afraid of, in the shape of a path to represent that life can sometimes feel like the scary road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Jesus’ promise to be with us (as the ultimate Good Samaritan) and give us peace in those scary moments was echoed in the song ‘No Longer Slaves’ in the background. They also had the opportunity to write down those they knew (or those more generally in the world) who were in need on a moon outline, which led to them recognising the choice we have to reflect God’s light into the world like the Good Samaritan did so well.

The feedback from the young people, group leaders and the church congregation was really positive. If your church hosts a parade service and you’d like Step’s involvement, please get in touch.

Geoff