Sabbath:  Making the Impossible PossibleMaryAnn
An Evening with pastor and author MaryAnn McKibben Dana

November 13th, 6:30 pm
Contemporary Worship Center
Keynote address presented by Christ Church Family Ministry



Work. Home responsibilities. Sunday sports. Mid-week activities. Social media. The demands on today's families seem endless. Is this what "the good life" is all about? Scripture offers an alternative to the endless cycle of activity: an invitation to rest from our work each week. But how is this even possible given the reality of life in the 21st century? Come explore the practice of Sabbath-keeping and how families of all shapes and sizes might make it real in their own lives.

This event is free and open to the public.  Nursery for children age four months to five years old is available with reservation (email nursery director Jennifer DeRycker).  
  
Open Prayer for Parents
Every Monday,  8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Church Sanctuary


Parents and caregivers of children are invited to a session of quiet prayer and reflection in the church each Monday morning. Stop in anytime between 8:30 and 9:00.  At 8:45, a brief passage of scripture will be presented for meditation. Come as you are, as we rest in God's love before the start of a busy week. All are welcome.

Curriculum Highlights

Children's Christian Formation meets every Sunday, 10:15 - 11:00 a.m. 
Children are welcome to join us at any time during the year, as they are able.  Visitors are always welcome. 

 

Godly Play

Primary Godly Play
Age 3 (before 8/26/2018 fully potty trained) through Kindergarten
Learning Cottages 1 and 2 (temporary portable classrooms)

Intermediate Godly Play
1st and 2nd Grades
Learning Cottages 3 and 4




Nov. 4 The Exile and the Return (Primary) -  Wondering together about the discovery of God's people that God was not just in the temple in Jerusalem, but everywhere - even in a foreign and strange land.   

The Story of Ruth (Intermediate) - Wondering together about Ruth, whose story connects the wilderness experience of the people of God with living in the promised land.  Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David.   
Nov. 11
Holy Baptism (Primary) - The children will light candles from the Christ Candle, either "remembering" their baptism or looking forward to their baptism. They will wonder together about this sacrament that draws both past and future into the present.  

The Story of Samuel (Intermediate) - Wondering together about Samuel, whose story connects worship in God's tent (the tabernacle) and worship in God's temple.  Samuel was an early prophet and the last of the judges.  He anointed Saul and then David to rule as kings after him.  
Nov. 18
The Circle of the Holy Eucharist (Primary) - This important story presents the Holy Eucharist and everything we do in church on Sunday -- tying together the liturgy of the word and Holy Communion.

The Story of the Prophet Isaiah (Intermediate) - The story of Isaiah presents prophecies of destruction, of hope, and of a new creation.  The children will wonder together about Isaiah's vision that a child would be born to show the way, a child called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Nov. 25
Advent Wreath making (Children's Formation classes will not meet)


Weaving God's Promises

The Parish Center classrooms are beside the dining room.  Please enter from the exterior doors near the courtyard (across from the church office).  

Parish Center Room 111: 3rd Grade
Parish Center Room 112: 4th Grade
Parish Center Room 113: 5th Grade

This Episcopal curriculum is organized in a three year cycle - Weaving Our Faith, Weaving Together the Family of God, and Weaving God's Beloved Community.   Drawing from the best of both Godly Play and Youth Ministry, these in-between years will be rich with learning, holy conversation, prayer, community, fun, and of course, love.

This year is Weaving Our Faith, for children in all three upper elementary grades.  As we experience stories from the Old and New Testaments, the overarching theme is God's love for us and how God stays with us, no matter what, to bring us back to God's divine love. 

 
Nov. 4
Stories of Elijah
In the New Testament, Jesus is often compared with-or confused with-Elijah. Apart from Moses, Elijah was considered by the Jews to be the greatest of Israel's prophets. He challenged the dominant faithless structure of the society.
We in the Episcopal Church also honor Elijah, who called God's people to be
faithful to God.
Nov. 11
God's People in Exile
The stories of exile in the Bible are really about our separation from God.The theme of repentance and return is pervasive in Anglican thought and worship life. In this lesson, we will remember that these separations are caused by us. God never abandons us. 
Nov. 18
Ezekiel Gives Hope
During the Exile, which lasted for around 50-60 years, Ezekiel shares his visions of hope for the people of Israel, who may have begun to doubt whether they were still God's people.  This lesson presents Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, which is such an image of hope for restoration that it is one of the readings in the Liturgy of the Word at the Great Vigil of Easter.
Nov. 25
Advent Wreath making (Children's Formation classes will not meet)


St. Nicholas CelebrationStNick
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m.
Parish Center Dining Room
St. Nicholas - Print by Susan Seals

Join us for worship at 5:30 p.m. and then come and meet St. Nicholas! This annual favorite for young and old alike takes place alongside our usual Wednesday evening dinner. 

Each year we collect hundreds of toys that are distributed to families in need.  Our partners have included St. Mary's Episcopal Church, St. Augustine Youth Services for Boys, YoungLives, and Operation New Hope.

New toys for donation will be collected from November 26 - December 6 in the church office, and at the celebration on December 5th.  Assistance will be needed with toy sorting and delivering on Frida y morning, December 6th.  For more information about the toy drive, contact Leila Quinlan .


Christmas Eve Opportunities for Children and Youthpageant



On Christmas Eve, there will be worship services at 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 8:00 pm, and 10:00 pm in the main church sanctuary; and at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm in the Contemporary Worship Center.  There are several opportunities for children and youth to participate in worship.  

2:00 Contemporary: Toddler Pageant

4:00 Traditional: Upper elementary / Youth Readers

6:00 Traditional: Christmas Pageant Participants (narrators, non-speaking actors, singing angels)

6:00 Traditional: Youth Choir (middle and high school)

Save the dates!

Free and open to the public

Nov. 25: Advent Wreath making
All are invited to make Advent wreaths in the courtyard, before or after worship (8:30 - 12:30).  Supplies will be provided.  Formation classes for Children and Youth will not meet this day, so that families may experience this activity together. (Courtyard)

1st - 5th grade actors and singers, youth narrators (Church)

Dec. 2: Intergenerational Advent Prayer Stations
On mission in Charlotte, North Carolina, our middle schoolers visited the 24-7 Prayer Room -- spaces covered in interactive prayer stations from floor to ceiling. The students found the experience so moving they have once again brought it to Christ Church as we enter into Advent. On Dec. 2, all are invited to experience these youth-created prayer stations for all ages. Formation classes for Children and Youth will not meet this day, so that families may experience the prayer stations together. (Parish Center rooms 111, 112, 113, Courtyard)

We will begin accepting donations of new toys on November 26th for our partner agencies. (Parish Center Dining Room)

Dec. 15: Nourishing Eats
Parent/child Christmas Cookie baking class

Dec. 18, 4:15 pm: Christmas Caroling at Vicar's Landing 
Families and individuals will meet at Vicar's to spread some Christmas cheer!  Sign up here.

Dec. 22: Santa's Sitters hosted by Christ Church Nursery
Christmas day-camp for kids age 4 months - 7 years.  Drop the kids for Christmas fun while you get your shopping done!
Village Small Groups
Sundays, 10:15 - 11:00
ELC rooms 5 and 6 (beside the Cooper Chapel)
Village

Village Small Groups for parents provide a self-led space for fellowship, support and spiritual growth. Groups choose their own content (bible study, parenting topics, conversation starters, or just a place to connect and talk freely).  Village One includes mostly of parents of babies and preschoolers, and Village Two consists mostly of parents of elementary age children and older (with lots of overlap).   Parents come alone or with partners/spouses, and newcomers are always welcome!  

To learn more about either of these groups, contact  Melissa Johnson (Village One) or  Jennifer Goldman (Village Two), or just show up.  

Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)
Friday mornings, 9:15 - 11:15 a.m.,  Parish Center Rooms 112-113
and  Working MOMS,  one Friday night per month, hosted in homes

Moms

MOMS is a supportive group of moms, but not a support group. No judgment (for real!). No pressure. Come as you are. We have book studies, play dates, retreats, MOMS Night Outs, and lots of fun while exploring our faith, praying and ministering to one another. ALL are welcome.  Childcare for Friday morning meetings is available with reservation. Check out the MOMS Facebook group for information about all activities and events, or contact Rebecca Bergson.

For more information, contact:

Catherine Montgomery
Director of Children's Christian Formation and Family Ministries
(904) 285-7390 ext. 227
STAY CONNECTED - "Like" the CEC Children's Formation Facebook Page
 I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding  and have the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
 
Colossians 2:2-3 (NRSV)