Small Group Discussion at Fuk Lam Church

My class of form one students and I spent the day touring the inner city. We started the morning off with a briefing, followed by a long, two-hour walk along Nathan Road, where we stopped intermittently at traditional Chinese food stores - for the 50th anniversary of the school, the students will write reports on traditional Chinese food. The excursion, with all of its stopping, counting, and going, left us quite weary, if not utterly bored. Thankfully, our scrumptious dim sum lunch awaited at a Chinese restaurant nearby.

Refreshed from our repast, we then set off for Fuk Lam church to begin the afternoon program. In the hands of the capable pastors and youth leaders, my co-teacher and I hoped, the students would get plugged into not only the church but also the greater Yau Ma Tei environment, while freeing us - the teachers - from having to participate in the activities so vigilantly as we had in the morning with all of that aforesaid stopping, counting and going. We needed a break!

The program, most capably arranged by Lawrence the youth pastor, started off with a viewing of a film featuring Pastor Sam's history and connection with the district. This was followed by small group discussions which a number of the church's young adults led. They probed our students, breaking the ice and inviting questions regarding the church and the district. Like many ravenous tigers at feeding time, most of our students eagerly chimed in their opinions and thoughts, sharing what the unique, individual relationships that they've established with the district. The fellowship between my students and the church leaders was exemplary, and there were social and spiritual breakthroughs, I pray.

Since the heavy rain outside dashed our plan for a walking tour, and as the students and group leaders were getting along so well, we decided to keep everyone indoors in their groups for the remainder of the time. So, sharing and reflecting - not to mention the exchange of MSN contact information - poured forth like water from the spring, and in an impromptu burst, a group of the church youths went to the stage and performed a collection of songs beginning with a classic Beyond track. Shouts for encores and the hard patter of clapping drowned the room.

Each group must compose one reflective piece on the afternoon's event. Indeed, because the boys and girls also have English homework for which they need to add something to their learning portfolio, it would behoove them all to write a composition on their reading day experience. The discipleship leader at Fuk Lam, Joseph, would also like feedback so I will take the comments and forward it to him so we can all learn from this most blessed experience. My school's relationship with the church can only grow stronger.

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