Dear All Saints' Parents and Families,
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Happy Advent!
Each week in Children’s Church as we light the next candle, I’ve challenged the kids to think about where they find that candle’s name (Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love) in their daily life – at school, at home, in our communities, on the news. I encourage you to join them each week in this search. Maybe even write them on a sheet of paper on the fridge or even just hash marks.
Noticing is becoming a lost art for most of us. Maybe it is the speed at which we live these days. Maybe it is that all our needs are met and many of our wants are satisfied, but we still somehow hunger for more and notice our blessings less. Maybe it is that there is just too much worldly noise and not enough “Be still and know that I am God” happening.
Whatever the reason, to make “noticing” a habit, we have to practice it. Science says it takes 30 days of daily practice to incorporate a new habit of mind into our lives. So maybe we make a Christmas resolution instead of waiting for New Year’s Eve. And maybe, just maybe, by noticing the good in the world, we might just feel differently, which may lead us to act differently and the world may become a kinder, gentler place to live.
Peace Be With You, Now and Always,
Kathy
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P.S. Here's a helpful article for the week: "Keep Your Kids from Going Feral During the Holidays" (from the New York Times).
Click here
to read.
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An example of Love...giving away Blessing Bags and warm clothes at Covenant Community's Thanksgiving Dinner!
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Come As You Are Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 22 at the 9:00 a.m. worship service in the church
Our Christmas Pageant is meant to be a non-stressful telling of the story – for both parents and kids!
The way it works is that all the young kids dress up as whoever they want to be from the story – an angel, a shepherd, a magi, or an animal from the stable. We have plenty of costumes available if your child doesn't have something to wear. We have even had a Tigger and a lobster in the stable!
Parents bring their children to the 2nd floor of the Pritchett Children's Center between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. to put on a costume
and then your children sit with you in church. When it's time to read the story, the bulletin provides cues to let you and your child know when it's time for them to go up to the front of the church with the other same characters (example: the shepherds go up at the same time). It is very easy and non-threatening.
I have 4th and 5th graders that have roles as leaders in each category of character and they will help the younger children see where they need to sit. When the story is finished, the kids come back to sit with you for the rest of the church service.
After the service, there will be a cookie reception in Ellis Hall, where kids can can also drop off their costumes.
If you have any other questions, feel free to call or write.
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St. Nicholas Shoe Collection for
Threads and Midtown Assistance Center (MAC)
Drop Off Donations in Ellis Hall Foyer, 1st Floor, Parish House
Through Wednesday, January 8
As a way of sharing the spirit of St. Nicholas, our children are leading the charge in collecting shoes for Threads and Midtown Assistance Center. Throughout Advent and Christmas, bring in new children’s shoes (all sizes) and/or gently used shoes and work boots for adults.
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Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Worship
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Christmas Eve - Tuesday, December 24
- 1:00 p.m. Lessons & Carols
- 3:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with the Junior and Primary Choirs
- 5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with the Youth Choir
- 7:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with the Adult Choir
- 10:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II with the Adult Choir
Christmas Day - Wednesday, December 25
- 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II
Childcare is available at the 3:00, 5:00, and 7:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve, but not on Christmas Day.
A Note About Parking
On Christmas Eve, like on Sundays, we have 50 additional parking spaces available in the garage of the Bank of America building; the entrance to the garage is on North Avenue, across from the Negril Village Restaurant. (
Click here
to view a map.)
Unlike on Sundays, you will need to take a parking ticket from the machine when you enter the garage. Then, before or after you attend the service, you will also need to pick-up a validation ticket from the basket in the narthex (back of the church). Ask an usher if you have trouble finding the basket.
When you are ready to leave the parking garage, please insert the original ticket you received upon entry, then insert your validation ticket as your form of “payment.” The validation ticket will only work on December 24.
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Vacation Bible School 2020!
As you start filling out those camp registrations, please save
June 8th-12th
for Vacation Bible School. More information to come in February.
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Wednesday Night Supper Takes a Break on
December 25 and January 1
We will resume on Wednesday, January 8!
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Children's Formation Takes a Break on
December 22 and 29
On Sunday, December 22, everyone is invited to join us in Ellis Hall for the cookie reception after the 9:00 a.m. worship service / Come As You Are Christmas Pageant. There is no formation on Sunday, December 29. We will resume on Sunday, January 5, 2020!
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PLEASE VOLUNTEER!
Sign up to help with Little Saints’ and/or Children’s Church!
Please
take a minute to sign up for a Sunday or more if your child/ children attend our children's services. The Little Saints’ service is led by parents (Shawnne will help you!) and Children’s Church is led by me (Kathy) and Karol with parent assistance.
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Registration
If you haven't already, please register your children for Children's Formation and Children's Choirs for the 2019-2020 program year.
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Kathy Roberts
Director of Children's Ministries
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For more information email Kathy Roberts
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