Children Youth and Family Ministry Newsletter

The new prayer table in the Play Group space at St. Mark's.

I don't know about you, but for me this season of the year is one of the most holy! There's something about the way the light is changing, the trees and leaves are turning colors, and the church festivals all seem to shimmer with God's love and presence!

Our prayer practices this month connect all these things together to help us enjoy God's Presence! Below are two short descriptions of what we're up to at church.

On the Feast of St. Francis (October 4th) we celebrate the ways that Francis loved in a big way. He didn't just love at church or in his family, Francis loved and preached and celebrated the whole world ---plants, animals, and especially those that society tends to forget about. So this month we continue the hearts and hands service we started last month and we shift it outside and into creation.

On All Saint's Day we remember all those we've loved and had to say good-bye to when they died. In church we set up pictures of them, light candles, share stories about their lives, and read their names. We do those same things at home in a more personal way. Sometimes we eat the foods that they loved and take more time to remember the way they loved and cared for us when they were with us. These practices all help us remember the important ways that they taught us about God's love and in that we discover that in God's love our loved ones are always nearby.

Here are some prayer practices you can use celebrate this special time of year!

Here is a prayer and a blessing you can share with your pets:

God, our creator, help us follow the example of St. Francis. May we see all creation as our partners and family. May we take care of them, as you take care of us. We thank you for this network of care and creation you've woven us into. May we think of you and thank you when we care for beloved critters and plants. Help us be good pet parents, so that all are healthy and happy. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen

You can make the sign of the cross on near your pet or plant and say this blessing:

May you be blessed in the name of the Creator, + Redeemer, and the Sustainer. May you and your people enjoy life together and find joy with the God who created you. Amen.

Building a prayer table is a really fun and spiritually grounding practice you can do at home!

The first thing to do is to find a quiet place! To find a quiet place, I like to take some deep breaths and find quiet in my body and then I go for a little walk around my house and look for places that amplify that quiet. I usually like spots that have good natural light that I pass by in my regular movement around the house.

The second thing you can do is to add pictures, mementos, crosses, candles, special items, icons, prayer beads, rocks, feathers, flowers, leaves or other kinds of collected items. There's no wrong way to set up a prayer table. Just play and let your heart lead the way.

For All Saint's Day you might use your mantel, part of your dining table, or a buffet and of course decorate it with pictures and items related to your deceased loved ones to set up a special prayer table.

Here is a quick tour of prayer tables and spaces from around the Webb house.

You can pray this hymn that Francis wrote:

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings.

To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun,

Who is the day through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,

Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,

In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,

And fair and stormy, all weather’s moods,

by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,

So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,

through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,

Mother Earth

who sustains and governs us,

producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.

Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,

from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.

No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,

And serve Him with great humility.

Jill Gidlund's Instagram account curate's beautiful at home prayer spaces to inspire your practice

We have two sanctuary nights in which you can come join us in making prayer spaces and celebrate All Saint's Day

October 14th Come for Scarecrow Fest! Dinner starts at 5:30, Games and activities go until 7PM when Sanctuary Nights start we'll practice making prayer tables.

October 28th Come in your costume and bring photos of loved ones for our All Saint's prayer tables. Join us at 7PM we'll sing some fun hymns, light candles, and celebrate God's love.

Registration is open for Wednesday night Faith Formation. Click below to register and to sign up to volunteer. Scholarships are always available!

We are gathering families of 0-5 year old's for faith formation. If you are interested in joining us once a month for stories, snacks, and play on Wednesday from 5-6PM.