Christian Education
Family Newsletter

JULY 2020

the season of PENTECOST: many weeks of green!
What will Sunday services and Christian Education classes look like, come this fall? Classes are scheduled to resume for the new school year on September 13 - but we don't know, yet, if we will be in the building, or staying at home - or what, exactly.
Know that if we must stay apart, we will be TOGETHER with enhanced online and other experiences. And if we can meet in person. . . what joy! - Linda
GODLY PLAY
Age 3-9
We'll meet again in person as soon as it's safe for us to gather. (Check out Online Sunday School, each week!)
WEAVING GOD'S PROMISES
Grades 5 - 9
NO IN-PERSON CLASSES, BUT WE'RE STAYING CONNECTED & ENGAGED!
 (Courchesnes' Top Ten list: our 5/15 class)
CHERUB CHAPEL
CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE,
BE WELL & CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER!
Anti-racist Baby book
Are you looking for children's and youth resources for conversation and learning about anti-racism ?

Take a look at these children's books .

For challenging reading for youth and older folk, see this list from the New York Times.

Also, check out this article from Book Riot , which offers a free Spotify link to listen to Ibram X. Kendi's powerful book: Stamped From the Beginning . (Or order it from our local independent bookstore, Jabberwocky Bookshop .) See Kendi's board book, too - that's the image above.

What books, movies, and other materials do you recommend? Share with me!

Check our Facebook page for more suggestions, including this one from H. Mark Smith: a collection of articles from "Teaching Tolerance."
During these difficult days, we still celebrate, we still believe, we still wonder.

Take a cue from our awesome youth, and check out our Youth Classes , a new one twice/month. Each email is a mini-retreat. You're invited, too!

Take a look at our online classes:
Grateful for you!
Thank you for being a part of our growing St James family!

We are here for you and your loved ones. Let us look to God and one another during these trying times.

Please share your thoughts and ideas! - click here to email Linda Davis Siess
While in-person activities are cancelled or postponed, due to concerns about the COVID-19 Coronavirus and related health issues, we still meet virtually .

"ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL!" classes are offered every weekend: Bible-based thoughtful activities to ponder all of the week ahead- click on any of these links to take a look!


As a church family, we offer comfort, connections, and support to each other. Keep an eye out for invitations and links for online services, virtual Coffee Hours, and more. Be well!
Help girls in Esperanza Academy in Lawrence, MA experience the power of reading this summer!

Here is their 2020 Summer Reading/Amazon Shopping List, with titles chosen & researched by the students, 5th-8th grade girls:

Books purchased via this Amazon list are sent to Esperanza staff, who bring them to their grateful students.
Send books anonymously, or include a note of encouragement!

THANK YOU!
ALL AGES! Come to SUMMER CAMP!
(it's virtual, and it's free)!

Trinity Church in Boston invites our diocesan community to join its virtual Camp Trinity summer learning and fellowship opportunity for people of all ages, Wednesday, July 29-Saturday, August 1 .

The theme is “ One Body, Many Member s " - exploring connections, gifts, and responsibilities through morning groups (meeting in age cohorts), noonday community worship with music and reflections, and afternoon offline activities or intergenerational electives on Zoom; ending each day with an all-camp activity.

Four counselors from the Barbara C. Harris Camp - Michael Fenn,Tina Seng, Charlie Groves and Avery Nasworthy - are working with Trinity to plan the program. There is no cost to participate, and all ages are welcome; sign up online by July 9 here !
YOUTH, grades 10-12!
JOIN DYC & make a difference!

NEW! - The Diocese of Massachusetts is expanding the Diocesan Youth Council (DYC). Now, there are three (or could be more!) separate DYC groups , each part of a collective group that meets several times a year.

Every young person has different interests & skills: what's your calling? How will you serve?

  • One team represents the interests of young people to the wider church, taking part in Diocesan Convention, the Diocesan Council, and/or deanery assemblies.

  • A team plans & runs retreats for young people at our Barbara C. Harris Camp. 

  • A third team organizes young people around social justice issues - racial reconciliation, creation care, gun violence prevention, much more.

And the Diocese is open to ideas for other teams - tell H. Mark ( tell Linda too!!).

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis starting July 15 , with the 1st meeting (by Zoom or in person) in mid-October. Reach out to Youth Missioner H. Mark Smith with ideas, questions, or suggestions for other leadership roles for our young people.
St James' Christian education mission is to provide rich experiences,
sound teaching, and strong support for the younger generation,
from birth to young adulthood. Let the love of God surround us!