Sunday August 9, 2026

The Eleventh 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


• Next Popsicles & Praise is this Sunday August 9
• Community Outreach: Send Kids Back to School Prepared!
• A Prayer for Just How You Are

Dear Church School Friends,

Your kids know that most of my friends – at least the ones I talk to regularly - are Church People. As a result, I'll be scrolling on Facebook and see a post like, "Track 1 People! Put Joseph's dreams back in or the Genesis reading doesn't make any sense!"

That's probably not what most of you are seeing on social media, but to each their own!

Anyway, Joseph's a dreamer. Literally. Not the kind teachers write home about because your kid can't answer any questions when their head is in the cloud, but someone whose dreams are powerful. That being said, because he dreams so much, I had to go looking to figure out where in Joseph's story we were and what was missing. In this case it's the dreams that precede his mock death, when his older brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt.

What do we miss without these dreams? I think we miss not just the logic of the story (Joseph's dreams represented a material threat to his brothers - he dreams that they will one day bow before him), but also what is at the heart of everything from sibling rivalry to the rejection of prophets and activists: a feeling of fear or anxiety about life as it occurs around us. That we or our way of life are being displaced. Joseph's brightly colored coat, the thing left behind when he disappears is like the red flag to the bull. It serves to attract the brother's attention, but it wasn't the source of tension.

I wonder what might be Joseph's colorful coat in your life or your family's life? What feels frightening but might really be the precise thing that needs more tender attention, to be nurtured?

Just As I Am –

Wow, it's social media week over here in the newsletter, but credit where credit is due: a writer and influencer I follow made a post about the ways we sometimes think we fall short. Maybe we can't sit still to pray or have a hard time getting up early for church. And do you know what she said?

Who do you think made you that way?! God did – and God made you that way on purpose!

And so, in response to this, and because I'll be out of town briefly next week speaking at a symposium in Ohio for a project about expanding worship and formation opportunities for neurodivergent kids, I offer us this prayer. Plus, this deep in summer, I imagine some of the things that make your kids uniquely them might be making you a little crazy, so maybe a prayer will help!

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

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.

Additionally, on the second Sunday of each month, we'll offer Popsicles & Praise during Lemonade Hour. This program will use picture books and other resources to learn more about favorite hymns and spirituals. I've been collecting picture book versions of hymns for ages and it's the perfect time to get them out and sing some songs together.

• Sunday August 9 - Service Music! J

Community Connections: School Supplies!

We all know that "Back to School" can come with big costs, even if your kids go to public school. We also know that when we have more than enough to share, we build a longer table – or in this case, buy another backpack.

A few Needham organizations are making sure kids go back to school with everything they need. Here's how you can help!

The Needham Housing Authority (contact Laura Blake) is accepting donations of any new back-to-school supplies, from backpacks and binders to glue sticks and pencils.

Items can be brought to the Needham Housing Authority

5 Highland Circle, Suite 10, between the hours of 7:30 to 4pm Monday thru Thursday and 7:30 to 1:00 on Fridays

The Needham Community Council is also accepting donations to help buy backpacks and supplies for families that use the Needham Food Pantry. You can access their donation form here.

Sunday August 9:

• Popsicles & Praise - Holy Holy Holy

Tuesday August 11-Thursday August 13:

• Bird out of Office

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!

Christ Episcopal Church

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