what do I do?

I have just come back from taking an assembly at a nearby Primary School for key Stage 1 pupils. They wanted to know what a Minister does. That seemed like a subject I could manage so I agreed. However, trying to explain some of what I do to non-church-going children in reception and years 1 and 2 became a bit of a challenge.

Stew the Rabbit

I decided the best way was to show them some of the things I use and ask them what they think I use them for. I took my laptop in its bag and asked what they thought was in the bag. “Special clothes” was the first answer. Good guess, and it gave me the chance to explain that I don’t have special clothes. We talked about what I do with the laptop (sermons, letters, PowerPoints, email, finding things out…), my car (left in car park but I had the keys), magic tricks (yep!) and Stew the Rabbit.

If you have never met Stew the Rabbit you may consider yourself fortunate. He often comes with me to Primary Schools and helps me explain about God and how he wants us to live (a description from a Primary School pupil). He usually does this by helping me tell stories of when he gets things wrong. He is more popular than me! One school I used to visit would not have had me back if I had gone without Stew. In fact, the Head Teacher used to meet me at the door and the first thing she would say was, “Have you got Stew?” followed by, “Hello Nick”. When I moved away from that area the school kindly gave me a book token to say ‘thank you’ for the assemblies and an enormous gift-wrapped carrot for Stew. (He is OBSESSED with carrots!).

I have often pondered on how I feel about being upstaged by a rabbit puppet. I have decided that I love it, especially if he does what that pupil said (to a School Inspector!). I will happily decrease if awareness of Jesus increases. And being the support act to a rabbit puppet is good for the ego.

Children sometimes say, “He is not real!”

My response invariably silences these junior critics. “He’s a real puppet!”

What do you get if you have 100 rabbits and they take a step backwards?

A receding hareline