Interview with Mary Hawes, Diocesan Children's Advisor
By Janine C. Hagan
Mary has been involved in children's work since the age of 14. She has worked with children in churches, schools, cathedrals and through publications. Mary is currently the Adviser for Children's Work in the Anglican Diocese of London, England. She and her husband are also non-stipendiary priests, which means that most of their free time is spent in parish work and writing sermons

Janine: Let's talk about Epiphany, your position in the Anglican Church, and your own experiences. How do you feel about this particular season of the church year and what does it mean for you? What are some of the images of Epiphany that you think of as you work in your particular ministry?

Mary: Epiphany always seems to be the forgotten season! With the preparation & rush for Christmas, everyone seems to have run out of energy by 6th January. Instead of a season of revelation, there's a danger that it becomes a season of sales, cost-counting and exhaustion!

For me, Epiphany is the completion of Christmas - Christ revealed to all, not just to the Jews. The gift-bringing of the Magi (as opposed to the gift-getting that tends to accompany Christmas) is a reminder of our need to respond with whole-heartedness to God's Christ-gift. In our house, the Magi wind their way across the room so that they reach the crib on 6th January, not before!

Janine: Tell us about your profession/ministry in the Anglican Church. Would you share with us the work of a "Diocesan Children's Advisor" and what that means to you? Could you explain your ministry and define the terms (like Diocese, etc.) to those of us who do not have a background in the church/parish?

Mary: In England, the Anglican Church is divided into 43 Dioceses. Each of these geographical areas has a Bishop who oversees the churches in that area. He (because we do not have women bishops in England) is assisted by a variety of senior staff - possibly other bishops or archdeacons.

I work in the Diocese of London as the Children's Adviser. We have about 410 parishes, and it is my responsibility to advise and support them in the work they do with children. There's quite a variety of things that I get involved with. I might help a parish choose a curriculum for their Sunday groups; I arrange and run workshops to train children's leaders; I help with issues surrounding the safety and protection of children; I help parishes think about ways of enhancing the work they are already doing with children or consider new ways of involving children within worship. No two days are the same! If a parish has a question or query about children, I'll do my best to help them think it through and work it out. It's the best job I've ever had because it brings together the skills and experience of the past, combines it with my love of God and children, and brings me into contact with all sorts of people!

It's a great privilege to be able to open up conversations and discussions about the place of children within the church, and exciting to see parishes have 'epiphany' experiences when they realize the richness children bring when allowed to take their rightful place in the community of faith.

Janine: Have you ever had a particular "epiphany" experience? This would be a time that you understand to be a showing or manifestation of God's self. This might perhaps be a gradual experiencing or an "aha" moment where you begin to follow (or "go forth") the lead of that epiphany experience. Can you briefly tell us about that and where it has led you.

Mary: I'm not always good at recognizing epiphany experiences! But one sticks in my mind from some years ago. I was working for a Christian publishing group, in a job I loved and with people who were exciting to be with. Out of the blue, I was made redundant. The job which I had enjoyed for 11 years was gone, and with it, my sense of identity. I was left feeling battered, confused about my understanding of God, and very angry with the whole situation. At the time, I couldn't see God at work at all. My faithfulness seemed to have meant nothing. But a very wise friend sent me a card, which I have kept. On it, she wrote, 'Don't feel that you have to hang on to your faith at the moment. Let us do that for you. That's what we're here for. You are not alone.' For the first time, I realized the importance of the community of faith. The sense of others holding my bruised and battered being within the circle of God's love meant that I could stop striving and allowing healing to begin. And in that healing there was another epiphany - the realization that God was calling me to be ordained! Had I continued in my previous job, I would never have heard the persistent whisper to change direction!

Janine: As a Diocesan Children's Advisor in the Anglican Church what do you think are the most important things to teach about Epiphany? (This is for adults who are thinking about being parents as well as parents/grandparents and teachers, Sunday Church School teachers, pastors, committee chairs, etc.)

Mary: We're never going to get completely away from the commercialization of Christmas, so Epiphany offers an ideal opportunity to teach about God's great gift without getting confused with the Santa Claus figure! The gifts brought by the Magi help us to link the Christmas and Easter stories, showing that the babe in the manger grew to adulthood. Gold, the sign of sovereignty, the servant king born in a stable yet ruler of all; myrrh used in Jewish burial rites, signaling the path the Christ child was to take; frankincense used in religious rites linking Christ's humanity and divinity. What gifts can we bring - as children, as teenagers, as adults?

The Magi's journey of faith, following the star, gives an opportunity for us to talk about our faith journeys. What travels have we undertaken in our search for Christ? Recalling our epiphany moments and retelling our 'aha' stories helps to build faith and family. Bringing out photos or mementoes and starting with 'Remember when…' can lead to a great time of sharing and learning.

In some Christian traditions, it is the custom to bless the home for the New Year on 6th January. After a suitably 'kingly' meal, the family journey from room to room in the house, singing " We three kings" as they do so. Each room in the home is sprinkled with water (a twig from the Christmas tree makes a good sprinkler!) as a reminder of our baptism.

Finally, everyone gathers outside the front door, and the traditional initials of the three kings along with the New Year's date are chalked above the door frame:

+20+C+M+B+03+

This is to remind everyone who comes in and goes out that we are called to journey in search of Jesus, as the kings did when they followed the star.

This blessing (from Liturgical Training Publications) could be used as the chalking is done, or as a blessing at the meal:

God of Bethlehem and of Cana, God of Jordan's leaping waters, in baptism you bring us into your family. You wed us, embracing us as your beloved. May we fill this home we have made with kindness to one another, with hospitality to guests, and with abundant care for every stranger. By the gentle light of a star guide home all who seek you on paths of faith, hope and love, where we will join the angels in proclaiming your praise.

The church could give each household a piece of chalk in church on the Sunday prior to Epiphany with the suggestion that it be used it in the way outlined above! Or hold an Epiphany meal at church, and chalk the kings' initials above the church door!!

Epiphany shouldn't be hidden away behind the light of Christmas. It should shine out as brightly as that star of wonder.

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