Happy Advent!
This past Sunday we lit the candle of Hope on our Advent wreath in Children’s Church. We talked about how hope makes us feel. How it gets us motivated and called into action. Gives us a reason to keep going.
It has been hard to find hope at times in these last two years of our pandemic roller coaster. Wave after wave of bad news kept knocking us back down. When we slide down the valley of despair, it can seem unmanageable to find a way to climb back up. It has made me think of when the prophet Jeremiah was telling the people of Israel that destruction and death were coming and were in fact, just outside of the city. There seemed to be no hope, even Jeremiah was pretty gloomy! But then God spoke to him and asked him to write down these words:
“Look, the days are coming when I will fulfill the promises I have spoken. In those days and at that time I will grow a new branch upon the tree of King David’s family, and he will bring justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem too.”
I can picture Jeremiah jumping for joy, weeping and laughing when he heard those words from God. Words that showed this doom and destruction was not the end. There was a new promise, a new hope for a better future. Just like Jeremiah, we wait with hope for the day of Jesus’ birth and the day of Jesus’ return. Just like Jeremiah, we can step out of this moment, looking forward, to speak a word of hope and promise in a world often filled with fear and uncertainty. In all of the darkness, light is about to break in. Hope is coming! Jesus is coming!
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Saint Nicholas is celebrated on December the 6!
Here is a story and some crafts you can share with your kids at home:
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Children's Church
Sundays at 9:00 a.m. on the 2nd Floor of Pritchett Children's Center
We gather in Kenan Commons at 8:45 a.m. to say hello, make a craft or color, and sign up for jobs to do during our service. Then we process into the chapel at 9:00 a.m. for our service.
We join the parents in “big church” during the Peace and announcements (unless we have Holy Eucharist). Please stay standing so that we can find you. The next Eucharist will be in the new year. Parents are welcome to attend anytime with your kids.
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K-5th Grade Formation: ***We're Going to Zack's Farewell Party This Week***
This Sunday (December 5), we will celebrate Zack's ministry with us in Ellis Hall, so please meet there between services.
*If you haven't already, please make sure that your children are registered for the 2021-22 program year.* Register here >>
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"Meant to Be Mothers of God": An Advent Women's Retreat
Sunday, December 5 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the church
Join women of all ages (ages 18 and older) for an Advent evening of reflection, renewal, and rest as we contemplate God’s Incarnation. This retreat is hosted by members of our St. Cecilia’s young women’s group and All Saints’ Labyrinth Ministry, inspired by Meister Eckhart’s observation, “We are all meant to be mothers of God, for God is always wanting to be born.”
Please plan to invite a friend and register online by Sunday, December 5!
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The Christmas Pageant!
Sunday, December 19 at the 9:00 a.m. service in the church
We are so excited to have our traditional, non-rehearsed, low-stress Christmas Pageant in the church! All children of any age are invited to become part of the story of Jesus’ birth and celebrate the hope and everlasting love of God.
We have tons of costumes that kids can choose from or you can create your own. Meet up on the 2nd floor of the Pritchett Center to get a costume between 8:15-8:45 a.m. Then follow the story in the bulletin for when your child should come up to join the story.
A milestone moment of leadership for 4th and 5th graders is to be one of the main characters whose role is to model and shepherd all the younger kids joining in the story. They will meet at 8:15 a.m. on the 2nd floor of Pritchett to dress and run through where and when they will enter. Then they will come with me over to the church to get ready.
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Caroling with the Saints at the MARTA Station
Wednesday, December 22 at 5:00 p.m. at the North Ave MARTA Station and Kennedy Courtyard
Deck the halls with boughs on MARTA! Singers of all ages and abilities are invited to attend our annual Caroling with the Saints event!
We'll meet in the courtyard at 5:00 p.m. and then cross the street to serenade the lucky commuters at the North Ave MARTA Station. After we're finished caroling, we'll celebrate the season with cookies and a hot cocoa bar in the courtyard.
Festive Christmas attire is welcome and ugly sweaters are encouraged!
(Please note: We do not have Wednesday Night Supper or Children's Choir Rehearsals on Wednesday, December 22.)
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Many thanks to Maria Ceballos, Wendy and Nate Little, Amy, Nora, and Darcy Gaynor, and Joann Nagy for leading the crafts during the Advent Event! |
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Teachers
K-1st Leaders: Sarah Bryant, Kathy Compton, Laura Gandy, Anne Elzemeyer, Elinor Hitt, and Beth Frilingos
Curriculum: The Fruits of the Spirit
2nd-3rd Leaders: Danny Johnson, Sue Bess, Sintra Constant, Meg Fogel, Ashley Thompson
Curriculum: The Fruits of the Spirit
Club 45 Leaders: Jack Norton, Tim Frilingos, Julia Wilson, Steve Davis, Emily Pheil, Emi and Michael Gragnani (subs)
Curriculum: Connect
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K-1st and 2nd-3rd
12/5 Zack's Farewell Party in Ellis
12/12 Gentleness: Love your Enemies
12/19 Christmas Pageant (no class)
12/26 Sabbath Sunday (no class)
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Club 45
12/5 Zack's Farewell Party in Ellis
12/12 Jacob & Esau/Jacob to Israel
12/19 Christmas Pageant (no class)
12/26 Sabbath Sunday (no class)
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***Please Note Our Sabbath Sundays (No Children’s Formation)***
December 19 and December 26
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Here are a few things that help make formation run smoothly for teachers:
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Know that your children will get a snack at the end of class and there are some traditions embedded here. Club 45 gets glazed doughnuts (so please tell your child NOT to get one before class). K-1st and 2nd-3rd will begin getting their favorite popcorn again (up to you about a donut before class, but they should finish it before coming to class). There will be water available in the courtyard and on the playground.
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Have your child go to the bathroom before joining class. Since bathrooms are a good bit away from their site, an adult has to go with the K-3rd graders.
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Please walk your child to their site for the next couple of weeks, so that we make sure they get to the right spot. A few were wondering around last week. By the end of October, only K-1st will need to be walked directly to tent and signed in by parents. The rest of the children can be watched from courtyard as they go to their site by then.
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Pick-up happens promptly at 11:05 a.m. as teachers need to clean up and leave. K-1st and 2nd-3rd parents should pick up kids from the site. Teachers may have something to share with you about the class and we want to make sure all kids have gotten back to their parents. Club 45 may meet parents in the courtyard.
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Please Register for the 2021-22 Program Year
If you haven't already, please don't forget to register on Realm for Little Saints, Children's Ministries, and Children's Choirs.
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Kathy Roberts
Director of Children's Ministries
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For more information contact Kathy Roberts
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