Sunday August 30, 2026

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Quick Links

• An Introduction to Godly Play
• Church School @ Christ Church Needham
• Church School Wish List
• Wiggles & Wonder, Bird's weekly formation Substack

Highlights


• Last Campfire Compline This Sunday August 30
• Volunteer Opportunity at Needham Science Center
• Countdown to Church School! Registration September 13, Church School Starts September 20

Dear Church School Friends,

When I talk to new Godly Play storytellers about "supporting the circle of children" (aka classroom management), I often pull a trick your kids have taught me out of my backpocket: the quiet coyote.

Quiet coyote, if they somehow haven't pulled that one out at home, is one of the ways teachers can silently signal for quiet and attention. I'm not good at remembering the gesture and it's not my initial go to, but they absolutely do it to each other.

Well, as we look to this Sunday's lectionary, I think you could describethe burning bush as God pulling out the quiet coyote on Moses. He's trying to get Moses to stop and pay attention in the midst of everything else he's doing and worrying about. And y'know, if I could do that trick, I probably would too.

As summer comes to a close, I hope you can take some time to notice God's presence in these long, less scheduled days before everything picks back up. Come join me around the fire on Sunday. I'll have to light it myself, but it's still worth noticing as we greet the end of the day.

Maybe God Is Like That Too by Jennifer Grant

What is God like? It's a big question, but sometimes, if we can pay attention – like Moses did before the Burning Bush – we can find ways of knowing God all around us.

In Maybe God Is Like That Too, Jennifer Grant tells the story of a boy and his grandmas as they observe the city around them for examples of love, gentleness, faithfulness – all characteristics of God that we can experience and express ourselves.

I'm a big Jennifer Grant fan... and stay tuned, because if you read Wiggles & Wonder, I'll have an interview with Jennifer about her new book in next week's substack!

This Summer we're reprising Campfire Compline – s'mores making and night prayer – at 7pm on the last Sunday of each month:


• Sunday August 30 - This Sunday! The Last One!

Note: We'll gather for Campfire Compline near the entrance to the Memorial Garden at the front of the church this summer, rather than back by the patio.

Science Center Volunteer Night

I'm sure many of your kids grew up with science kits assembled by volunteers from the Needham Science Center – now you can help make some for the next generation of budding scientists!

Sign up here to join other volunteers on Wednesday September 2 between 5 and 7pm at the Needham Science Center at Newman Elementary School. There will be pizza and drinks and middle & high school students can earn service hours (but must be accompanied by an adult). This is expected to be a monthly opportunity held on the first Wednesday of the month.

Sunday August 30:

• Campfire Compline @ 7pm by the Memorial Garden

Sunday September 13:

• Church School Registration – Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday September 20:

• Church School Begins!

Sunday October 4:

• Feast of Saint Francis: Blessing of the Pets

Christ Episcopal Church

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