September 10: Kickoff Sunday!

September 10, the Sunday after Labor Day, is Kickoff Sunday when our Sunday School classes for all ages resume. Children's Chapel will also resume at the 10:15 a.m. service that day, and our Parish Choir will return to lead music.

Join us starting September 10 for Sunday School classes for all ages at 9:00 a.m:

Godly Play (preschool-elementary, Room 3): Introduction to Godly Play. In this first week we'll learn about our Godly Play room, where everything is, and what to anticipate for the year, plus a short lesson on the Bible.

What is Godly Play®?

The Godly Play® method is a curriculum of spiritual practice exploring the mystery of God’s presence in our lives. The Godly Play curriculum engages what is most exciting about religious education: God inviting us into—and pursuing us in the midst of—Scripture and spiritual experience. Godly Play practice teaches us to hear what God is saying and then to make authentic and creative responses to God’s call in our lives. The Godly Play method teaches Christian language as a means to know God and to make meaning in our lives. Different from the traditional model in which a teacher tells us what we need to know, Godly Play practice is not just about learning lessons or being entertained. It is about locating each lesson in the whole system of Christian language and involving the Creative Process to discover personal relevance and meaning. It is about understanding how the stories of God’s people connect with our own experience and relationship with God.

Youth Group (middle/high school, in the Library): Welcome to Youth Group! We'll kick off with introductions and talk about where we go from here, discerning the year ahead.

Adult Forum (in Short Hall): Welcome back to Adult Forum! This year we'll be using Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Shobe's book Walk in Love as the basis for most of our regular Sunday sessions, with special topics and guest speakers interspersed throughout. Our first session on Sunday the 10th will include an introduction to the book, which serves as a guide through the liturgical year, the sacraments of the church, habits of daily prayer, and teachings of Anglican Christianity. We'll also have a calendar of special sessions and a chance to suggest topics to tackle over the course of the year.

Children’s Chapel (offered during the 10:15 Service starting Sept. 10):

What is Children’s Chapel?

All elements of the Liturgy of the Word (the first half of the church service) have been incorporated in the Children’s Chapel model, but they are done so in a child-friendly way. Music, songs, prayers, and message are all presented in an age-appropriate way. This format allows children, ages preschool-12, to lead and experience the worship services in a chapel format just for them. Those participating in Children's Chapel follow the children's cross out during the singing of the Gloria, just after the start of the service, and return to the church in time for Holy Communion. Of course, children are also always welcome to stay in "big church."

Daphne Vernon, Director of Spiritual Formation, [email protected]