CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Children & Youth Ministries Newsletter

February 2020

Thanks to everyone who contributed to CYM's January 19 Undie Sunday drive for the young students at School 30. Calvary parishioners filled our baskets with many packages of underwear. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 20, a small group of us joined with folks from Congregation Shir Shalom to tour the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Hearing stories about brave men and women and learning more about our region's history was a wonderful way to commemorate Dr. King.

Thanks to all the children and youth who participated in last month's Children's Service. Well done! Please remember to sign up for this month's Children's Service on Feb. 23.

At the Annual Parish meeting, Fr. Robert called attention to CYM's report and noted that in 2019 the children donated a total of $2281.02 to outreach projects, raising funds through the Sunday School Children's Offerings, CYM Bottle Drive and UTO Blue Boxes. Many thanks for your generous support! For more details about CYM's accomplishments in 2019 and objectives & goals for the future, here is a link to the 2020 CYM Annual Report

Warm wishes,
Emily Sityar


Upcoming Events at Calvary
 
February 2: Regular Sunday School, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Nursery care available.

February 9: Regular Sunday School, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Nursery care available. CYM Meeting after the service.

February 16Regular Sunday School, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Nursery care available.

February 23: Scout Sunday - wear your uniform! No Sunday School. Children's Service Holy Eucharist. Sign up to participate!

February 25: Mardi Gras! Come to Calvary for a fun family event as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday.

March 6: Family Fun Night


REFLECTION:
Love

As the month of February nears, we are reminded that love is an essential part of life.
God loved us enough to send his son. We are encouraged to "love one another as He loved us." For children, it seems that this concept of love is as pure and genuine as they are; it is as adults that we can corrupt the meaning of love or forget to love each other regardless of how different we are from one another.
 
A child loves their parent(s) wholeheartedly, they look to them with wonder and amazement, with trust and comfort. A child loves their books, toys, friendships, and pets almost equally; there are few negative connotations in a child's understanding of love.  It is the adults that put the pressure on children to love a certain way, or love a certain group of people.  As Episcopalians, we are called to love each and every thing with no exclusions. What a wonderful concept to instill in all of us, especially during this time of hatred/divisiveness in the world!
 
Valentine's day reminds me of the good in people, the love that is possible in life, and that it is okay to show affection and love. This day should remain in our hearts all year long, not just one day.  To show love does not always mean with candy or flowers. Love is what we do in even the small ways for those we love and those that we do not know.
 
So, teach your children to love the flowers, the animals, the joy of learning and exploring. Teach them to help others even if that help is not able to be returned. Teach children to be loving, kind, and accepting. This is the only way that LOVE can conquer HATE.  Live by the Golden Rule "Treat others as you want to be treated."
 
L - Love 
O- Over
V - Violence/Hatred
E - Everyday

Kelly Blackey
 


FROM OUR TEACHERS

Children's Chapel
Carol Mayo, Lora Bunting and Emily Sityar
 
For the month of February, our Children's Chapel prayers will focus on love. The children will be learning the wonderfully energizing hymn, "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy." Its words and bouncy beat will gladden your heart when you hear it. Here are the words that children can practice at home:

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart to stay. And I'm so happy,
So very happy;
I've got the love of Jesus in my heart.
And I'm so happy,
So very happy,
I've got the love of Jesus in my heart.

Nursery (infant - 3 years)
Kelly Blackey
Olivia Fleming, assistant

We are ready to welcome more children! Nursery doors are open at 8:45 a.m. Livi and I will stay after Sunday School for those kiddos that are too restless to go upstairs. Any parental volunteers are more than welcome to come assist on any Sunday.
 
Kelly Blackey - Nursery Supervisor/Coordinator
Olivia (Livi) Fleming - Nursery Assistant

Beginners Class (Pre-K & K)
Natalie Bottomley
Assistant: Andria McCarthy

Hello from the Beginner Class!! 
  
The students are getting used to the routine of having story time and discussions on the carpet, craft time and playtime if time permits. In February, our lessons will consist of: the cross in our church, the altar and candles.
 
Sunday mornings are always a fun time in our class. The children love finding the sheep that we hide before class. Also, attendance has been a great turn out the last few months, keep it up!
 
Children's service will be on February 23rd.
 
-Natalie Bottomley and Andria McCarthy

Primary Class (Grades 1-3)
Cinda Stone, Jency John & Wes Stone 

Hello from the Primary classroom!
 
We have had a pretty good attendance during the month of January. We are so happy to see your smiling faces every Sunday!
 
A big Thank You to Sue Schroeder for filling in while Jency was away in January. We had fun with our stories and crafts.
 
Coming up in February we will continue our stories about Jesus. On the 2nd we will learn about the day when Jesus was presented in the temple to be dedicated to God. This day is also known as the feast of Candlemas. In earlier days it was the last day of the forty-day season of Christmas. Time to take down that tree! It is also the halfway point of winter, in case you are counting the days until spring!
 
February's focus is the theme of Jesus being the Light of the world. On the 19th we will find out that we can also be 'the light'. What do you think that means?
 
Our last class of the month will teach us what to do when we are angry. Jesus wants us to live peacefully. We will explore ways to be more like Jesus.
 
The days are getting longer and soon the early Spring flowers will be poking through the snow. Enjoy these snowy days while you can. 
 
We will see you around the 'campfire' for story time on Sunday.
 
The Primary class team,
Cinda Stone, Jency John and Wes Stone

Intermediate (Grades 4-6)
Patty Rooss & Kelly Mogavero

In January we learned about Jesus' Baptism and He became recognized as the Lamb of God. This month we will learn about the Presentation of Jesus at the temple. We learn to honor Christ within ourselves and each other. We explore the idea that Jesus is the light of the world and we are all called to make significant change in the world. Jesus guides us to have a good relationship with others by getting along with others and making peace with them. We will have plenty of art, craft and music activities to illuminate our discoveries.

-Patty Rooss and Kelly Mogavero



Mardi Gras!

Calvary will  have an intergenerational Shrove Tuesday celebration on Tuesday February 25. Come for some jambalaya and bring a dish to pass around. There will be games and fun, as well as the burning of last year's palms to make ashes for Ash Wednesday.
 

Family Fun Night

Our next CYM Family Night is planned for Friday, March 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars for a fun time for all!  It will include an evening meal and games for all.  Keep tuned for more details to come.
 

Bottle & Can  Redemption Drive 

Redeemable bottles and cans labeled with "NY State 5ยข refund" may be placed in the bins by Calvary's parking lot entrance or returned directly to either of our two redemption centers.  
  • The Integrity Bottle & Can Redemption Center at 2790 Sheridan Drive, or
  • The Millersport Recycling Bottle & Can Redemption Center at 803 Millersport Highway.
Remember to tell them to credit your returns to "Calvary Episcopal Church." If you can, please sign up on the sheet posted on the Sunday School Bulletin Board to empty our bins and bring the bottles and cans to our redemption centers. 

The proceeds we collect from January and February will go the Buffalo Zoo's Victoria Bushfire Emergency Wildlife Fund to aid in Australia's wildlife recovery efforts.

Many thanks for contributing to our drive!

From the Diocese

DIOCESAN INFORMATION

Feast of Lights on February 1
St. Paul's Cathedral in Buffalo will host the annual Feasts of Lights service on February 1 at 4 p.m. All acolytes are invited to come to participate in this service that tells the story of the spread of the Light of Christ. Those participating should arrive at 12:30 p.m. to allow time to rehearse, explore the cathedral, and have a snack before the service. Please confirm participation on the online registration form found on the diocesan website

Winter Family Fun Day on February 9: 
The third annual Winter Family Fun Day will be held February 9, 1-5 p.m. at the Diocesan Ministry Center in Tonawanda. Bring your family and enjoy a day of fellowship with other families. There will be crafts, games, hot chocolate, soup, and lots of fun. Please register online from the diocesan website if you plan to attend.
They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither;
everything they do shall prosper.
[Psalm 1:3]
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