Hello Families!
Pivot! Change! Turn! Love!
Here we go again! No, this is not the latest TikTok dance, but maybe it should be. This is how we do Children’s Ministry in Covid-time, as the children say.
It was cold this last Sunday morning and a lot of us were caught off guard as witnessed by the sandals and short sleeves on children and adults. We had Children’s Church with Holy Eucharist and Exercise, running in place singing “I have to decided to follow Jesus” and doing jumping jacks saying “I. Will. Serve. God!” We shared adult coats like bread and fish and made it through. Although mostly fun and novel, we won’t get away with that too much more.
So, here we flex again! Please read all the way down.
Children’s Church: If it is 50 degrees or above, we will have Children’s Church outside for 30 minutes and then join you for Eucharist in church. If it falls below 50 degrees, I will leave a sign at the outdoor tent by the chapel steps saying “we have decided to follow Jesus indoors today!”
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Dress them for the outside: socks and shoes, a hat is great, gloves if their hands tend to be cold, long pants or leggings or joggers, and a good thick coat or jacket.
- Leave time to drop off upstairs if it is too cold.
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We will not be singing indoors.
- And know that in all this, we are trying to stay as safe as possible with kids all coming from different pods and schools.
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And through all this, we are teaching resilience, a flexible mindset, and learning to turn whines into wines (had to go with the pun, no wine being served). 😊
This also means that I will need one or two adult volunteers each week as we used to have to do before Covid. Safeguarding God’s Children requires at least two adults with children at all times. When Mrs. Kimmel is with us, we need another adult to be able to run kids to the bathroom and help while we are leading worship. As we move inside and don’t sing, Mrs. Kimmel will not always be with us and I will need two folks to help. Right now, those dates are October 31 and November 21. Here is a Sign-Up Genius to sign up to help each Sunday >>
Children’s Formation: We're taking a break this Sunday, but moving forward, we can be a little more flexible with whether we will be indoors or outdoors since it may warm up some by 10:20 a.m. Our 2nd -5th graders especially seem to like being outdoors. And there are always adventures to be had outdoors, so please make sure they still dress for the weather and being outside.
When indoors, they will be spaced as close to three feet apart as possible and masked. If you walk into most elementary schools right now, you will notice that (a) not much distancing is happening, and (b) even when you try, kids will be kids. So we start off distanced, remind them of the Hula Hoop personal space (imagine everyone is wearing a Hula Hoop and don’t touch theirs!), and no eating or singing indoors (this may be why Club 45 wants to be outside – for their doughnuts!). Help us by reminding your kids to keep their distance. Masks on, and correctly on, doesn’t seem to be a problem for kids! Again, the children will teach us if we let them.
Peace to you,
Kathy
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Children's Church
- 8:40 a.m. Gathering time
- 9:00 a.m. Worship service
- Masked and distanced
We meet outside under the tent (cold/rain location: Chapel on the 2nd Floor of Pritchett Children's Center), all masked and distanced. Sometimes we go on adventures around the campus (the magnolia tree, the fountain, the lawn, etc.), just as Jesus and his disciples traveled around to spread God's Word.
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LET'S SING
This Sunday morning, the PreK-6th grade singers (Cherub, Primary & Junior Choirs) will perform in Kennedy Courtyard immediately after the 9:00 a.m. service. Join us outside at 10:05 a.m. We will share songs we’ve learned this fall. Singers, wear your new RED All Saints’ Choir T-shirt (dress warmly underneath)! Join us at worship in Children’s Church or inside the church at 9:00 a.m., then meet Mrs. Kimmell outside after communion.
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Sabbath Sunday for K-5th Grade Formation
Children's Formation takes a break this Sunday, October 24. We'll be back next Sunday, October 31! Scroll down to view our schedule for the rest of 2021.
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MAC Race for Midtown 5K Walk/Run |
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The MAC Race for Midtown is Back!
Saturday, October 30 at 8:30 a.m. in Piedmont Park
Join us for a 5K through Piedmont Park to benefit Midtown Assistance Center (MAC), one of our four core service ministries. MAC provides emergency assistance to help prevent homelessness and hunger.
The race course this year is once again inside the park; parking is available in the lot next to Park Tavern.
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Teachers
K-1st Leaders: Sarah Bryant, Kathy Compton, Laura Gandy, Anne Elzemeyer, Elinor Hitt, and Beth Frilingos
Curriculum: The Fruits of the Spirit
2nd-3rd Leaders: Danny Johnson, Sue Bess, Sintra Constant, Meg Fogel, Ashley Thompson
Curriculum: The Fruits of the Spirit
Club 45 Leaders: Jack Norton, Tim Frilingos, Julia Wilson, Steve Davis, Emily Pheil, Emi and Michael Gragnani (subs)
Curriculum: Connect
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K-1st and 2nd-3rd
10/24 Sabbath Sunday (no class)
10/31 Patience: Abraham trusts God
11/7 Kindness: Good Samaritan
11/14 Goodness: Zacchaeus
11/21 Faithfulness:Daniel in Lion’s Den
11/28 Advent Adventure (no class)
12/5 Gentleness: Love your Enemies
12/12 Self-Control: David/Saul in Cave
12/19 Christmas Pageant (no class)
12/26 Sabbath Sunday (no class)
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Club 45
10/24 Sabbath Sunday (no class)
10/31 Flood
11/7 Tower of Babel
11/14 Rewind Core Ministry
11/21 Covenant
11/28 Advent Adventure (no class)
12/5 Jacob & Esau
12/12 Jacob to Israel
12/19 Christmas Pageant (no class)
12/26 Sabbath Sunday (no class)
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***Please Note Our Sabbath Sundays (No Children’s Formation)***
October 24, November 28, December 19, and December 26
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Here are a few things that help make formation run smoothly for teachers:
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Know that your children will get a snack at the end of class and there are some traditions embedded here. Club 45 gets glazed doughnuts (so please tell your child NOT to get one before class). K-1st and 2nd-3rd will begin getting their favorite popcorn again (up to you about a donut before class, but they should finish it before coming to class). There will be water available in the courtyard and on the playground.
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Have your child go to the bathroom before joining class. Since bathrooms are a good bit away from their site, an adult has to go with the K-3rd graders.
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Please walk your child to their site for the next couple of weeks, so that we make sure they get to the right spot. A few were wondering around last week. By the end of October, only K-1st will need to be walked directly to tent and signed in by parents. The rest of the children can be watched from courtyard as they go to their site by then.
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Pick-up happens promptly at 11:05 a.m. as teachers need to clean up and leave. K-1st and 2nd-3rd parents should pick up kids from the site. Teachers may have something to share with you about the class and we want to make sure all kids have gotten back to their parents. Club 45 may meet parents in the courtyard.
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Please Register for the 2021-22 Program Year
If you haven't already, please don't forget to register on Realm for Little Saints, Children's Ministries, and Children's Choirs.
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Kathy Roberts
Director of Children's Ministries
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For more information contact Kathy Roberts
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