Object: A plastic bag containing sunflower seeds.

"Why are you here this morning?" I ask the children who have assembled on the chancel steps -- at my invitation. My question is met with silence and wide-eyed uncertainty as laughter erupts from the congregation. "My goodness!" I exclaim. "Has my question left you speechless? Why did you come up to the steps just now?" I inquire, fully expecting at least one child might say, "Because you asked us to." But whether it's a case of it's-early-on-a-summer-morning-and-I'm-not-awake-yet or simply an unusual shyness for this bunch, the children remain silent.

"Could it be that you came up here to listen to something?" I continue. Finally a few heads nod in agreement. Then I hold up a bag I've brought with me and ask the children what it contains.…