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Hello households with young people,
Happy New Year! Themes and experiments for 2024:
In 2024, we have more kid parties to build beloved community amongst our elementary age kids. The first Sunday of the month continues to be ‘community Sunday’ where there is no Children’s Chapel or Sunday School; we go to church and coffee hour together no matter our age. There continue to be many different ways for kids and adults to volunteer within the community (see below). Being involved is the best way to get to know people! We’re also experimenting with Youth Group this semester. The term “Youth Group” now refers to every Sunday morning (except the first Sunday of the month) from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Students will have an hour to hang out and chill with each other and an hour of more structured faith formation time. I look forward to worshiping and serving with you and your kids in this new year!
Sunday Morning Schedule:
The nursery (first floor, Parish Center Bldg) is open for ages 0-3 every Sunday from 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
January 7:
- No Children’s Chapel or Sunday School
- All-Parish Coffee Hour, 10:15-11 a.m., Lilly Room
We’ll be having an Epiphany Tea. Come learn about Epiphany, drink tea, and eat little sandwiches and cake together.
January 14, 21, 28: Children's Chapel during the 9 a.m. service
10:15-11 a.m.
Age 3-5th grade students, Montessori-based faith curriculum
- Parent’s Lounge (second floor, Parish Center Bldg)
Parents with children in the home, refresh and connect
- Adult Forum (Parish Hall)
- Small group offerings for adults on some Sundays, see details below:
10 a.m.-12 p.m. (note extended time)
- Youth Group (Youth Lounge)
Students get the chance to hang out, play games and eat together during the first hour.
Discussion-based classes during the second hour
Additional offerings:
January 14
- 4th and 5th grade class will explore Acolyting with Shane Hatchett
- Adult Forum (Parish Hall)
Charity Malone will be introducing herself and talking about Beloved Community. I highly encourage all adults to attend because she is a main leader of our kids and youth.
January 21
- Mindfulness Workshop (second floor, Parish Center Bldg)
Carrie Bernhardt and the Wellness Team are leading their first small group on mindfulness. I highly encourage you to attend!
Family Ministry Events:
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Superhero Kid’s Party + Parent’s Group January 19, 6-8 p.m. at St. Paul’s. With the goal of creating Beloved Community amongst our kids and parents, we invite you to parallel gatherings. Click here for more details.
- Pancake Supper February 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s. You don’t have to cook dinner! We’ll learn about how to make the ashes with a bonfire. Please sign up to help; there are various all day roles and timeslots. It’s nice to get to know a few other parishioners while you work.
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Pick up a magnet in Burrows Commons to get all the events on your calendar now thru August. Click here for a digital copy.
KIDS Getting Involved:
- CHILDREN’S CHAPEL ASSISTANTS Ages 10+ are welcome to serve as assistants during Children’s Chapel. We need two helpers most Sundays. Instead of having a sign up and schedule, Charity or I will have two lanyards on Sunday morning. If you see us wearing the lanyard and you want to serve, please come ask for one. Wearing the “CC Assistant lanyard” will help assign the role and communicate to teachers that you are the helper for the day. The lanyard will also list the duties of the role on the back.
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WORSHIP ROLES: Our worship is not complete without kids participating — acolyte, reader, usher, greeter, worship tools manager, Children’s Chapel assistant. Read more here. Reply to this email if your child would like to be on the list to serve in one of these roles.
Adults: Stay Connected. Get Involved at St. Paul's:
- Does organizing the Children’s Library with peace and quiet by yourself sound fun to you? Or does hanging out with me, listening to music, eating snacks, talking, while also organizing the children’s library sound fun to you? The library needs someone’s love and care. I could work with you on it anytime on T/W/TH from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Please reply and let me know if this is up your alley!
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SUNDAY MORNING SMALL SNACKS: Choose ONE Sunday to bring Sunday morning snacks, please. We need lots of help 2/18 onwards.
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SUNDAY MORNING VOLUNTEERS: Check your schedule here and update the Sundays you are not available for February 18-May 19. Find lesson plans here.
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PARISH TEAMS: Interested in joining a team? Want to feel more connected at St. Paul's? Want to work on a shared project with 5-6 others? Check out all of the different teams available! Which one do you feel drawn to? I have two new teams below!
Formation Team:
Is teaching your child about Holy Week particularly important to you? Would you like to help create an interactive, play based ‘fair’ where families can walk through Holy Week together on Sunday morning March 24? Please consider joining the Formation Team to help create and execute this Family Ministry event. Serving on this team will require
1. Participation in 3 meetings before March 24
2. Giving ideas, researching, stepping up to contribute where your gifts and interests lie
3. Helping with set up, clean up and participating during the Holy Week Fair on March 24 from 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Meeting times and dates will be determined based on team participant availability. Please email Laurie if you are interested in serving on the Family Ministry Formation Team.
Dismantling Racism with Picture Books:
I highly recommend this six-part, six-hour training. I took the training in December. I felt grateful to spend the time continuing the discussion. Miriam is an excellent facilitator; she brings peace, calm and clarity to all the sessions. Six sessions was enough to build community online with the group. You won’t regret making the time for it. Training description: “Picture books offer an excellent way to discover, discuss and share stories about topics that many people did not study in school but that are crucial to the work of repairing, healing and seeing God in each other.”
Please click a month to sign up: February, March, April, May, June, and August.
Pride Parade and Festival Planning Teams:
Are you proud to see the Episcopal Church actively participate in Pride Weekend? Would you like to connect with people from across the Diocese? Please consider joining the Pride Parade Team (led by Laurie Pierce) or the Pride Festival Team (led by Meghan McConnell). Serving on one of these teams will require
1. Participation in 4-5 zoom meetings, about once a month
2. Participating in one in-person “get-it-done” meeting (stuffing bags, decorating a float?!, preparing supplies, etc.)
3. Giving ideas, researching, stepping up to contribute where your gifts and interests lie
4. Participating in the Parade or Festival on June 8
5. Participating in a zoom debrief meeting with your team following the effort. Meeting times and dates will be determined based on team participant availability. Please email Laurie or Megan if you are interested in serving on a Pride Team.
Save the Dates:
- Bingo Night, March 8
- All-Parish Party & Kids PJ Party, April 27
- Summer Festival, August 18
- All-Parish Waycross Retreat, September 20-22
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