CHILDREN & YOUTH NEWS

for February, 2008

UPCOMING EVENTS

February 3rd-Blessing of the Animals

February 5th- Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

February 6th- Ash Wednesday

February 16th- Men's Club Picnic

FERUARY 3rd (and Blessing of the Animals) MARCH 2nd

APRIL 6th MAY 4th

CLASS EVENTS

GODLY PLAY

The children of Godly Play have been learning about the birth of Jesus and the visit of the Wise Men in the days following Christmas. We have created paper manger scenes and even made our own glistening stars to hang at home to represent the star that led them all to Jesus.

Please remember that we meet in the Godly Play room at 9:30 for our lessons except on the First Sunday of the month. On the First Sunday, we meet at 9:00 in the Christian Ed building to practice our songs for that service. After we practice, we have been going to the Godly Play classroom to play together (our form of fellowship) until the 10:00 service starts. We look forward to seeing each other every Sunday!

Thank you for your continued support of our program.

Meg Campbell-Hutts and Godly Play teachers

GOOD NEWS BEARERS

2007 was an interesting year for our group. They began to learn more about the significance of our Episcopal hymns and how they coincide with the readings, lessons, and church season. "Choir" practice and singing in the church on First Sunday has become an integral part of the curriculum. Although the students started out quietly, they are coming into their own voice and learning to "project and let God hear how you praise Him" (the music teachers' weekly mantra). We have also watched our group grow in numbers and realize how fortunate we are to have such a diverse, yet cohesive array of students. Frequently toward the end of class time we ask them to "reflect, or think about" a particular subject or idea that ties in with a specific class lesson. They may share their thoughts with the entire group, or they may write them down, along with a prayer and add them to "Reflections" envelopes. The depth of their feeling and understanding of subjects is quite often amazing. We would like to share these with you. They are listed on a separate page in this edition. By the way, did you take our quiz? If so, how did you do? If you'd like the answers, ask a student (or us). Remember, you are always welcome to sit in on class at any time and until we next meet, see you in church!

Faithfully,

Richard Barron, Barbara Hartley,

and the Good News Bearers.

GOOD NEWS BEARERS' THOUGHTS, SONGS, REFLECTIONS, AND PRAYERS

IN 2007

After being shown pictures of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:

"Those pictures make me feel sad. Please help those in need. Amen."

"Take care of those who suffered and be shure to help them through it! Thank you for sparing those

who survived! Everything happings 4 a reson."

"Dear God, Plz bless thoughs who were defistate by hurricane Katrina."

"Dear God, Please Bless the Victoms of Katrena who have suffered hardships and help them to keep

their faith up! Amen."

"Katrina, Katrina. Must you bring such devastation upon the second greatest Nation. Why must you."

"God, I hope you did not do this for a reson please give them another canse if you ment it."

Write your own quotation:

"A Reader isn't always a leader, but a leader is always a Reader."

"Victory teaches 1 thing but defeat teaches 1000 things."

"Hate is a powerful word. I pray that the people don't."

Write a rap song. / Write a rap song about the story of Job:

"Hey yo I hate rap I got one more nerve and its about to snap"

"Yo I rap like a bunny…I hip and I hop and just can't stop."

"Who are you to me? I can see the lands from sea to sea. I'll give you back your money and your family

because you praise me faithfully. Yeah!!!"

"My name is Job, I wear a purple robe. I hate to say it but I have a toad that lives on the road."

What does Psalm 23 say to you?

"Pras the lord of or holy grace. Hear my teaching O my people-incline your ears to the words of my mouth."

"The Lord shall be with you everywhere you go, if you ask him to follow he shall. He will be there

to comfort you and will calm you down and he shall keep you safe all along the way."

What can you do to help at home and at school?

"Help my parents around my house."

School - "If they drop their books, help them pick them up."

How are you feeling right now?

"I feel excited for Night of Joy! I'm going with Youth group. I also feel sleepy. I would like to fall right asleep."

From the youth: "We wish everyone a Safe, Healthy, and Happy New Year... God Bless, EYC"

Coming up next: Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 5th.

Please support our youth, they have tickets for you.

Until next month, God Bless…

Debbie Shearer and Barb McCarthy

♪ CHILDREN/YOUTH MUSIC ♫

Our children's music program is going well thanks to all the hard work on the part of the kids. We feel blessed by their dedication and willingness to step outside of their comfort zones. We hope to expand the size of our junior choir in 2008, and we invite all children to participate in praising God through music. The children will be singing at the 10:00 am service the first Sunday of every month. Choir practice will be for approximately one hour following the 10:00 am service on the Sunday before First Sunday, and they will run through the music again at 9:00 am on First Sunday in the CE Building. Children of all ages are encouraged to participate in whatever way they feel most able. If anyone from the congregation can play the guitar or other musical instrument, and would like to accompany the children some Sunday, please call Jane Lamberson.

Thank You ! Happy New Year!

Jane Lamberson and Alison Sharp

†CHILDREN/YOUTH CHRISTIAN EDUCATION GENERAL INFORMATION†

ALL CLASSES ARE HELD IN THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BUILDING - This building is located to the right of the Church’s front door (if you’re facing South). Children and Youth join the congregation at 10:30a.m. for Holy Communion. During the school year the program for children and youth includes:

CHILDREN AND YOUTH CLASSES ... beginning at 9:30a.m. Godly Play is for children aged 4 years through 7 years, and Good News Bearers for children/youth beginning at age 8 years.

PARENTS’ TIME OUT … Each Sunday morning after you have left the children and youth at Christian Education, you are invited to the Parish Hall Library to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, browse through the newspaper, meet other parents, or just relax quietly before church begins. Your hostess is Kim Toth.

EYC (for youth 8 & up) ... meets the first and third Sundays at 11:30a.m. in the CE building.

FIRST SUNDAYS ... of the month, all children and youth come to the 10a.m. service. They are ushers, readers (lectors), and participants in the sermon.

CHILD CARE (for children under 4 years of age) ... 9:30-11:30a.m. in the CE building. The nursery room is visible from the Church.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ... usually held five evenings during the summer. 2008 dates and program to be announced.