Waterloo Sunday School Class Visited by Member of Parliament

The grade 2 and 3 Sunday school students at Waterloo [Ont.] Christian Reformed Church received a visit in June from their local Member of Parliament (MP) in response to a letter sent to encourage her in her role as a representative in Canada’s government.

The class was learning about God appointing leaders, said Emily Jaarsma, Sunday school teacher and education ministry leader at Waterloo CRC. One of the activities was to write to local and national leaders, thanking them for their leadership and letting them know they are prayed for. “The children wrote in their own handwriting and signed the letters,” Jaarsma said.

The class received four letters of thanks in response to their letters, as well as a visit from Waterloo MP Bardish Chagger on June 18. “This was a new activity for our class,” said Jaarsma. “I thought the students would really appreciate the feedback from the letters, but I had no idea if we would hear anything.” When they heard that they would meet Chagger, Jaarsma said, they were “so excited” and brainstormed questions to ask about leadership and politics.

During Chagger’s visit with the class, the students asked her about her faith, volunteering opportunities, and some challenges of being a woman in politics. She spoke with them about giving back to your community and invited the class to visit her in her Waterloo office or in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, for a tour of Parliament Hill. In a Facebook post the next day, Chagger said, “Great discussion about politics & government with our future leaders from the Waterloo Christian Reformed Church Sunday School—thanks for having me, ladies!”

The boys in the class were away for a Cadet camping trip on the Sunday when Chagger was able to visit, but appreciated the letters, including the stickers sent by the Department of National Defence. “It was encouraging for the students to receive the letters and feel their voices were heard,” said Jaarsma.