Christian Education Family Newsletter OCTOBER 2020 still the season of PENTECOST: many weeks of green!

Welcome, October! Autumn has arrived, and St James is here for you. We are playing it safe: weekly Online Sunday School classes continue, for families to click on at your own pace, and we're planning to offer Zoom Godly Play lessons, times tbd. Our youth are meeting on Zoom on 3rd Fridays, with their own emailed lessons 2x/month. We've got some interesting ideas for fun engagement, too. We miss you!

October 4, at our special 10am outdoor service at All Saints' in West Newbury - bring your pet (leashed, caged), photo, or favorite stuffed animal for a special blessing! (All safety protocols are followed; wear a face covering, bring sanitizer & chair/blanket.) GODLY PLAY Ages 3-9 Zoom classes are in the works! And our weekly emails are continuing, too. Check out our "ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL!" classes: Bible-based thoughtful activities to ponder all of the week ahead- click to take a look! September 27: The Lord's Prayer, Sept 20: Jesus is the Bread of Life, Sept 13, God's Top Ten, Sept 6: Where 2 or 3 are Gathered Interested in more? Email Linda for links, going all the way back to March. The LIGHTHOUSE St James Youth: receivers of light & bringers of light! No in-person classes, but we're staying connected with online classes 2x/month & Zoom meetings at 6:30pm on 3rd Fridays. Next meeting: October 16 via Zoom! Check out our Youth (& Up)! Classes. Each email is a mini-retreat. Adults are invited! Click on a class - September 18: Bread of Life, Sept 4: Gathered Together Interested in more? Email Linda for earlier links; lots to ponder! Grateful for you! Thank you for being a part of our growing St James family! We are here for you and your loved ones. Let us look to God and one another during these trying times. Please share your thoughts and ideas! - click here to email Linda Davis Siess. TO DO: you're invited to our online Anti-Racist Book Club featuring "This Book is Anti-Racist" by Montessori teacher Tiffany Jewell. RSVP - click here. (Ages ~10 & up; adults, too.) Zoom link & info to come: our club is beginning this month! Check out this list of "Indigenous Voices for Little Ears: 15 Books about Native American Tradition & History for Children" - recommended! How are you? Here's a helpful podcast with stress-relief strategies for 2020 back-to-school: https://www.janinehalloran.com/podcast/calm-and-connected-episode-72 PLUS: put on your thinking cap and tell me how we can run a food drive for Pettengill House! They've written to St James, hoping we could collect non-perishables. Tell me your good ideas, and let's do it!

As a church family, we offer comfort, connections, challenges, and support for each other. Keep an eye out for invitations and links. Check out our Facebook page and website. And drop me an email anytime: how are you? What do you need? What can we do to serve God's people - together? Peace and joy! - Linda

St James' Christian education mission is to provide rich experiences, sound teaching, and strong support for the younger generation, from birth to young adulthood. Let the love of God surround us!

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