Children's Ministries Update | September 7, 2023

Hello families!

While lots of people were away for Labor Day, those of us still here gathered to labor for others - we made 700 sandwiches in 40 minutes to give to the Sandwich Project. They, in turn, will deliver the sandwiches to assistant centers to hand out to those in need and to The Boys and Girls' Club of Atlanta, Westside, who share them with children in their after-school program. We also keep about 100 here in our freezer for people seeking assistance at our church.

Some of the reasons I love this service project so much are that everyone is able to serve (5 year olds and 89 year olds), everyone is able to lead/follow, teach/learn from each other (kids teaching adults new to the project how to put 2 pieces of meat on a sandwich for more protein, adults teaching kids how to stack bagged sandwiches in a sleeve for easy freezing) and saints of all ages living out their baptismal promises together in a way that rarely happens.

Rarely do a retiree and a 1st grader engage in conversation while they serve together. Rarely do teens fill in an unrelated adult from their faith community on what they are doing at school or talk about the latest movies they both have seen. Rarely do our children and youth get to "catch' faith by serving with their faith family outside of our worship service.

When we truly come together, all Saints, all Ages, all Sorts, to do God's work together, that is when the Kingdom of God is here, right now, in our lives.

As we prepare to build a Habitat House this Winter, let us find ways to engage all ages together, learning from each other, sharing the lead, "catching' our faith from each other, - all of us, the Children of God.

Peace,

Kathy

Briley Brisendine and Elena Parent - Thank you so much for allowing us to bring 50 people to your house for our Club 45 Swim Party. You were gracious hosts and fun and fellowship were had in abundance!

Maria Ceballos and Marina Shepherdson - Gratitude for your cleaning and organizing skills in our classrooms - you are the best!

Todd Fuller - for stepping in to help with Children's Church this week and helping in the nursery when we had an immediate need.

Patty Hunter - Grandmother Extraordinaire, who responded to the call ( on the spot as she was dropping off her grandson!) for help in the nursery.

Children's Church on a low Sunday as we shared the story of The Burning Bush. We had some fun!

This Sunday, September 10

Nursery : 8:30-12:30

1st fl. of the Pritchett Center

Children's Church: Second Sundays

gathering 8:45; church 9:00 and meet parents after Communion

2nd fl. of the Pritchett Center

Children's Formation: Begins this Sunday! 10:20-11:05,

2nd fl. of the Pritchett Center

Second Sundays

This year we are trying something different on the Second Sunday of each month. On Second Sundays, we will have Children's Church as usual, but when we come over to the church, children will not come directly to you. We are going to pass the peace in the chapel and then gather around the altar for the Eucharistic prayer. We will take communion as a group and then come find you in the pew. Be patient with us. This will be a bit of a dance to learn and we may change things up after we try it a time or two.

All children are invited to take communion. If you do not want your child to take the wine, let me know and they can cross their arms across their chest after taking the bread. Otherwise, they will "intinct" the bread (fancy word for dip their wafer in the wine).

We will definitely need Children's Church volunteers each week as usual, but especially on Second Sundays to help at the altar. See sign up here to help. We need all parents to take a Sunday or two to help.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS SECOND SUNDAY THING?

As we continue to strive to be an open and welcoming church that views all people as full members of the body of Christ, that includes our children and youth.

We want them to know that this is THEIR church.

We want them to experience the mystery of the Eucharist (and sometimes that is easier when you are right up there with no other distractions.)

We want them to be seen and remind us adults to "“Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” ...Mark 10:13-16