Church School News for Sunday, July 19, 2026!

Sunday July 19, 2026

The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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Highlights

Next Campfire Compline is Sunday July 26

Dear Church School Friends,

I know we have more than a few gardeners in the parish – but did you know that Fr. Nick and I both have close family connections to plant nurseries?

It's true! It's also true that we're both terrible at keeping plants alive. I may have spent a lot of time wandering vegetable patches and greenhouses as a kid, but I should NOT be trusted with a house plant.

This Sunday, our visiting priest, Fr. Dan Joslyn-Siemiatkoski (who knows a lot about children's Bibles and formation practices!) will share another agricultural parable – the wheat and the tares – and it is certainly a story that might stymie the average gardener. The tares (weeds) having been sown amidst the wheat by an enemy, the gardener says "let them grow together" so that the wheat is not torn up in the process of weeding. I wonder what we might discover in our own lives when we embrace the good and the bad that inevitably grow together?

I Am Not Afraid: Psalm 23 for Bedtime by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

How's your Psalm 23 Summer Challenge going? Among the resources on the materials list (and on the table by the challenge materials), you'll find this sweet book that takes the all-embracing love and guidance God offers us in Psalm 23 and converts it into a story/prayer for bedtime.

Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is one of the greats in the faith-based children's book space and this is a newer addition to her extensive publishing history. Be sure to check it out – maybe we'll grab it to wind down Campfire Compline on July 26.

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

Sunday July 26
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

Psalm 23 Summer Challenge!

How are your Psalm materials, folks! I've stumbled into a new track in these last few days that, while not straight out of Psalm 23, is a great reminder of how pervasive this particular Psalm's message of comfort and presence is in our scriptures.

In Wherever I Go, Ellie Holcomb sings,

You are so kind to remind me

That if I am lost you’ll come find me

Even in the darkest valley

Your goodness and mercy will follow me

The song, shared below, also works in recognizable lines from Psalm 73:23-24, Joshua 1:9, and others – plus it's a total bop (are the kids still saying that?). Take a listen – I think it totally counts for songs based on Psalm 23 for your board!

Sunday July 26:

Bird Preaching!
Campfire Compline @ 7pm by the Memorial Garden

Sunday August 9:

Popsicles & Praise

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!

Peace be with you all this week – and stay cool out there! Until we're together aggain, please don't hesitate to reach out to me by email or (particularly by text) at 347-200-9207.

Faithfully,

Bird

If you or someone in your family is in the hospital or in need of pastoral care, please call the church office so that our clergy or the Pastoral Response Ministry team may be notified and tend to the need. The office number is (781) 444-1469, and you can reach Nick at ext. 113.

Christ Episcopal Church

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