Places where I saw or felt God -

in my reading and scrolling, my grandparents house where I ate every Sunday after church with my 27 first cousins! A humble gift to a child. Where did you see God?

"You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things, you make beautiful things out of us....

You are making me new". lyric from Gungor

Dear Families,

"We receive the cross of ashes in the same place as the cross of oil we receive at baptism, for the same reason: to remind us that we were created in love, we belong to God, and we will return to God." - Building Faith.org

In the Christian Church, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. During Lent, Christians may fast or give up some of their usual routine to give time to personal examination and to reflect on their relationship with God - to create a new heart as the song says. Or as we say in Children's Church, we clean out the gunk from our heart to make room for God and love. We acknowledge that we have not loved God with our whole hearts, and we prepare our hearts as we remember how we belong to God, and to God we will return. We may also add in a new practice that may draw us closer to God. Or it may be some combination of the three pillars of Lent - Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.

One example of this is below, where as you give/sacrifice food from your sustenance (not your extra) to the hungry, you learn about hunger, you step into the shoes of the hungry and share how it might feel, and then you pray for those who hunger.

Almsgiving: 40 Days of Giving During Lent

Giving to the poor is a key feature of most of the world’s religions. In Christianity, giving is especially important during Lent. Almsgiving is one of the three traditional Lenten “pillars,” along with prayer and fasting. This practice is modified for families to be an offering of food, rather than money. Food is a tangible thing for young minds to grasp and it also offers an opportunity to talk about hunger in your community.

1. Before the 40-day period of food collecting is to begin, tell your kids about Midtown Assistance Program, one of our Core Ministries and their Food Drive during Lent. Be sure to check and bring food items that are useful to the them.
2. On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, explain to the family that one of the pillars of Lent is to give alms. Alms are a monetary sacrifice to help people in need. Tell your family that your alms will be to give one food item per day from your pantry.
3. Decorate a box and label it “The Giving Box.” As you are decorating, talk about the practice and how it will work: each day one family member will select something from the pantry to put in the box and, at the end of the 40 days or the end of each week, the box of food will be delivered to church. 
4. For each of the 40 days, take turns putting an item in the box. Choose a time of day to do this that fits into your family routine (at the beginning or end of dinner, first thing in the morning, last thing at the end of the day, etc.) Talk about hunger during this time. How do you feel when you are hungry? If you were hungry every day, what would you pray for? 

Notes: 

• One focus of almsgiving is to give out of our sustenance, not our excess. For this reason I suggest you challenge family members to choose their favorite foods for the box. Try not to “censor” what goes in to the box. If a child chooses a box of cereal that you were planning to use for the weekly breakfasts, challenge yourselves to eat something different for breakfast. If someone chooses a canned good that was needed for supper, go without and talk about how it feels to make changes or sacrifices for others. 

Peace ,

Kathy

**************************************************************

Prayers to use on Ash Wednesday and during Lent with your family

Almighty God, you created us out of the dust of the earth, and we are your people.  Let these ashes be a sign that we belong to you, and because you 

love us, you have made us forever yours, on earth and in heaven, through 

Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.

God of mercy, you love everything that you have made.  You forgive the 

sins of all who are truly sorry.  Make our hearts clean, that we will tell you what we have done wrong.  We know that you will heal us, forgive us, and bless us; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen

A PRAYER ABOUT ASHES AND LIFE

God, you are the source of all life and energy. We come from God, and we return to God. Life to life. Ashes to ashes. Energy to energy. Dust to dust. Amen.

Faithful Families for Lent, Easter & Resurrection

By Traci Smith

A PRAYER AT SUNRISE

Night turns to day slowly, slowly. The shadows fade away slowly, slowly. God, please help us wait for the sunrise and wait for the resurrection slowly, slowly.

Faithful Families for Lent, Easter & Resurrection

By Traci Smith

A PRAYER ABOUT LOVE AND NEIGHBORS

When we love our neighbors, we love God. When we love God, we love our neighbors. Loving God and loving our neighbors is in the center of our faith. Amen.

Faithful Families for Lent, Easter & Resurrection

By Traci Smith

What is Ash Wednesday (for kids)

Ash Wednesday in 2 minutes

Song - From the Dust

Song - Beautiful Things (we will sing this on Ash Wednesday)

Volunteer QR Code

Scan here to sign up for

Children's Church, Special Events, and Nursery Helpers through LInkTree

Calling All Dads!

If you haven't already registered for the Men's Dinner, it is not too late -register TODAY!

Tons of fun, good food, and a good chance to meet other folks in your church family.

Register here

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner

Burning of the Palms & Burying the Alleluias

Tuesday, Feb. 17, Ellis Hall/Courtyard

5:00pm - 7:30pm dinner

6:00pm service

Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday) is the day before Lent starts with Ash Wednesday. Also known as Pancake Tuesday which comes from an old English Christian tradition of using up rich foods—specifically eggs, milk, and sugar—before the 40-day fasting season of Lent began. People would clean out their larder/pantry and feast before they fasted!

Join us for this wonderful night:

-Creating an Alleluia Banner to bury for the 40 days of Lent only to rise again on Easter Day (Yes, we actually bury our banner!)

-Singing our Alleluias one more time before Lent with our Children's choirs

(Yes, we actually do not say Alleluia during Lent!)

-Burning our palms and the things we need to let go of in order to draw closer to God during this Lent (Yes, we have a big fire!)

Digging in the dirt and putting things in a fire - what more could a kid want!

All proceeds of the dinner will go to help kids go on their Pilgrimage trip in June to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

All Ages Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, Feb. 18,

5:00pm in the Church

" Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return". Genesis 3:19

Join us for this Holy time to mark us and the beginning of Lent as we practice remembering, repenting, and repairing.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the season of Lent, the forty days set aside to prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. We spend forty days getting ready to come close to the mystery of Easter just as Jesus spent forty days in the desert fasting and getting ready for his public ministry.

Sundays in Lent do not count towards the forty days because Sundays are always celebrations of the Resurrection! 

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Parenting with God

Sunday, February 15

10:30, Ross Rm, Ellis Hall

Grab your coffee and meet to talk about this article we haven't discussed yet:

Spirituality Underated . If someone would like to be the lead, email me, otherwise you can all lead and share together.

“No matter what faith tradition we’re raised in, and whether or not we’re raised in a faith tradition,” Lisa Miller writes, “part of our human development involves discerning what we agree and disagree with and finding our own personal seat of spiritual awareness.” According to the data Miller cites, this personal spirituality makes the difference in wellbeing.

What is your biggest take away from this article?

What might it change in your own spiritual journey?

How might you tell your child/ren about this information?

Safeguarding God's Children

Training Days

If you volunteer with children or youth, chaperone a trip, or simply want to know about keeping kids safe, sign up for our diocesan course. It is required of all volunteers and is easy to attend on a Zoom training.

Safeguarding God's Children: Scheduled Zoom Training Dates

• Saturday, February 21, 2026: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Monday, February 23, 2026: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
• Thursday, March 19, 2026: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Register here for a training session



Register

for Formation, Children's Church and Choir

2025-2026 program year

Register here Realm or use the QR code below

This Sunday, February 15, 2026

Nursery  

8:30-12:30 am

Janelle King, Nursery Director

1st floor Pritchett Center

Children's Church

8:45 gathering time; 9:00-9:30 church, we will meet you at the Peace

Children's Formation

10:20-11:05 am

2nd floor Pritchett Center

Parenting with God

10:30-11:10

3rd floor Ellis Hall, Ross Rm.

Spring Dates

CC=Children's Church

CG=Courtyard Gathering, See You at 10:00

CF=Children's Formation

SS=Second Sunday



2/1

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

2/8

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett, Second Sunday

CF, 10:20-11:10, Takes a break. Join us in Ellis Hall for the

Children's Musical

PWG, 10:30-11:10, Takes a breatk. Join us in Ellis Hall

2/15

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

2/17

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and Service

5:00 Dinner, Ellis Hall

6:00 Service with Burying the Alleluias and Burning of the Palms

2/18

Ash Wednesday All Ages Service

5:00 Service in the Church

2/22

1st Lent

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by Kathy

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

3/1 Spring Forward/Pajama Sunday/PJ's for Threads

2nd Lent

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by Kathy

3/8

3rd Lent

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett, Second Sunday

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

3/15

4th Lent

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

3/21 Choirs Concert for Soul

in the church

3/22

5th Lent

NO CC, Children's Service in the Church

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

3/29 Palm Sunday, Donkey here at 8:15 in courtyard

NO CC Go to church or Ellis Hall with your family

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

4/1 A Walk Through Holy Week and Agape Dinner

4/4 Holy Saturday - Walk the Labyrinth in the courtyard

4/4 Easter Vigil in Piedmont Park

4/5 Easter Sunday/Easter Egg Hunt

NO CC, Go to Church or Ellis Hall with your family

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, in courtyard

NO CF, meet outside playground for Easter Egg Hunt

4/6 - 4/11 Church offices will be closed

4/12. Annual Parish Meeting/ Children's Animal Meeting

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett, Second Sunday

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett Animal Meeting (bring your stuffy/lovey)

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

4/18 Nursery/Little Saints' Playdate

3:00, the All Saints' Playground

4/19

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

4/26

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by Kathy

5/3

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

5/10 Mother's Day/Confirmation

CC, 8:45 gathering, 9:00 service, 2nd fl Pritchett,

CG, 10:00-10:25, See You at 10:00, Ellis Hall

CF, 10:20-11:10, 2nd fl Pritchett

PWG, 10:30-11:10, 3rd fl Ellis, Ross Room, led by group

5/17

NO CC, go to Church for Moving Up Celebration

NO CF, End of Year Ice Cream Party in the courtyard

5/24 Pentecost

Summer Schedule begins - Nursery 9:30-12:30

K-3rd grades Club 45

1/4 Queen Esther

1/11 Daniel

1/18 Jonah

1/25 God Calls Samuel

2/1 Isaiah's Words

2/8 No Formation - Musical

2/15 The Annunciation

2/22 Mary Visits Elizabeth

3/1 The Wise Men

3/8. Jesus is Baptized

3/15 Many Follow Jesus

3/22 Jesus Blesses Children

3/29 esus Teaches about Prayer

4/5 Easter Sunday

4/12 Animals and a Movie

4/19 Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

4/26 Jesus Calms the Storm

5/3 The Widow's Offering

5/10 The Transfiguration

5/17 End of Year Ice Cream Party

5/24 Pentecost

1/4 Moses

1/11 Exodus

1/18 TBD

1/25 Wilderness

2/1 Commandments

2/8 No Formation - Musical

2/15 Promised Land

2/22 Judges

3/1 David

3/8 Solomon's Temple

3/15 Kingdoms

3/22 Prophets

3/29 FIA:Walk Food over to MAC

4/5 Easter Sunday

4/12 Babylon

4/19 Diaspora

4/26 Return

5/3 Occupation

5/10 Caesar

5/17 End of Year Ice Cream Party

5/24 Pentecost