“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 11:19

Dear Friends:

We’re blessing backpacks on Sunday in 10:00 a.m. worship. All are invited to bring along whatever they carry to receive God’s blessing. School is starting for everyone! Adults are invited to participate in small group teachings at various times and topical Table Talks on Sunday mornings as announced. Beginning October 1, immediately following 10:00 a.m. worship, adults are also welcome to grow and learn in the faith with Episcopal 101. Should you wish to be confirmed, received, reaffirmed, baptized or simply learn more about the faith, plan to be a part of this ten week class, let Hillary know via email at clergy@coee.org.

Parents of Youth Confirmands, Episcopal 101 runs parallel to your kid’s Confirmation class. Share in what they are learning and GROW deeper in the faith!

Minister of Children, Youth and Family Ministries, Dana Hale, along with the ministry team is ready for another outstanding year of learning:

We are so excited to be gearing up for another year of Sunday School! The Children, Youth, and Family Ministry team has spent many months in preparation for this new season. We will offer three classes each Sunday, taught by a team of teachers who rotate months. Classes begin on September 10th at 9:45am.

Preschool & Kindergarten (Lower Division) will be led by Rebecca Carroll and Dana Hale. We have spent more than a year in thought, research, and training, and this class will transition to Godly Play. At the heart of Godly Play is biblical storytelling that encourages children to develop language and meaning for their spiritual lives. It reminds us that we are all together on a search. We are so excited for what we believe this will add to our children’s spiritual lives as well as ours as teachers and parents. To learn more about Godly Play, visit http://www.godlyplay.org.

First and second grade (Middle Division) will be led by Melissa Woodhead and Elaine Inn. Middle Division classes are designed to engage the senses and the curious minds of this age group through interactive storytelling. Enduring friendships are formed around our class circle as we offer up our joys and our worries together in prayer. Whether through Legos, play-doh, crafts, skits, or games, kids are deepening their understanding of the scriptures read each Sunday in a loving environment where all questions are welcome.

Third through fifth grade (Upper Division) will be led by Emma Matos-Irby and Tracy Parkerton. Emma and Tracy complement each other really well with their gifts in leading science experiments, crafts, and thoughtful discussions. As this older group hears new Bible stories and revisits familiar ones, they will use their ever-growing life experiences to go deeper into the stories and continue to discover how God works in our lives.

On the second Sunday of each month, youth in 6th-12th grade are invited to stay after worship from 11:30 – 12:30 for lunch, games, and a Bible lesson. This age group forms our EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) and is led by Kathleen Bellis, John Schroeder, and Caitlyn Smith. They will be using an Episcopal-based curriculum for youth with lessons focusing on discipleship, prayer, and using spiritual gifts in community with one another. Confirmation class for youth grades six and higher begins September 22 with a lock in and classes following 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship October 1st.

We would love to have you volunteer in any of these classes with us! Each week we need a helper in each class to assist the kids with their activities and be a guiding presence for our children as we live out our faith together. Please see Dana Hale (education@coee.org) or Elaine Inn (elaine.inn@gmail.com), our ministry team’s leader, if you are interested in helping with Sunday School or EYC. We will have a sign-up chart available after 10am worship this Sunday and September 3rd. We hope you will join us!

See everyone on Sunday for the baptism of baby Luca and the blessing of backpacks!

Faithfully,

Dana