Church of Our Saviour » Children & Youth

Circles of Ministry: Sunday School

sara — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:44 +0000

On the first Friday of February an enthusiastic Circle formed around the ministry of the Sunday School at COS. Our new Sunday School Coordinator, Alyssa Trometter, was on hand to lead the discussion of hopes and concerns for the program. The desire to retain the Godly Play story telling was brought up, as well as finding programming for older children as they outgrow Godly Play. There was also discussion about engaging children in a variety of learning activities such as conversation, art, puzzles, and play-acting.

As a result of this meeting, future First Friday “Circles of Ministry” will be devoted to Sunday School. This will provide the opportunity for those who will be teaching in the coming month to see lesson plans in advance. We will talk about the scripture or Bible story that will be part of the lessons. Lily will be there to help us reflect theologically on the experience of working with children. The Circle will always be forming and reforming as various members in turn, take their part in the religious education of our children. Chances are we’ll learn a lot about our own faith in the process! And there is always the pizza…

Advent Light

katherine — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 22:10:06 +0000

One of our cherished rituals at COS in December is the lighting of the Advent wreath. Poised beautifully beside the central altar, this wreath is a weekly reminder of the coming the Light.

This year, as part of our efforts to involve young people in our liturgies, the new candle was lit each week by a member of the Sunday School group.

Ably assisted by the Rector, whose steady hand never left the solid little step-ladder whisked into place by our seminarian, the candle lighters carefully brought flame to wick to begin each Advent service. The delight in their eyes was matched only by the assembled community’s quiet pleasure. Perhaps we were reminded again of the power of a Child to bring light to our hearts.

Resources for the Spirituality of Children

katherine — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:58:08 +0000

The following resources are suggested by Mary Ann Christie Burnside, Ed.D.

www.withheartsandminds.com

David Wolpe. Teaching Your Child About God.

Episcopal Diocese of Alabama . Scope and Sequence.

Jean Grasso Fitzpatrick. Something More: Nurturing Your Child’s Spiritual Growth.

Ronald Rohlheiser. Against an Infinite Horizon

Sofia Cavalletti. The Religious Potential of the Child 3-6 Years Old

Sofia Cavalletti. The Religious Potential of the Child 6-12 Years Old.

Sofia Cavalletti Patricia Coulter, Gianna Gobbi, & Silvania Q. Montanaro, M.D. The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey.

David Robinson. The Christian Family Toolbox: 52 Benedictine Practices for the Home.

Mimi Doe & Marsha Walch. Ten Principles of Spiritual Parenting: Nurturing Your Child’s Soul.

Spirituality of Children

katherine — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 21:51:12 +0000

The Spirituality of Children was the focus of December’s Circles of Ministry gathering. Mary Ann Christie Burnside, Ed.D. of Hearts and Minds, LLC spoke about the changing spiritual needs and capacities of children as they grow through early and later childhood and pass through adolescence.

She suggested three dimensions to spiritually nurturing children and adolescents: provide experiences that deepen the child’s loving relationship with God; support a child’s participation in the community of the church; and help the child cultivate a practice of prayer.

Dr. Burnside’s particular interest is in helping children nourish their spirituality by the practice of mindfulness. She defines spirituality as something that gives meaning and purpose to life. Mindfulness is a practice of intentionally paying attention to the current moment, without judgment or censure. Mindfulness contributes to prayer, which she understands to be the conscious recognition of the sacred, inside and outside ourselves. Teaching children about the practices of mindfulness and prayer give them ways to cultivate meaning and purpose in life.

A theme underlying the evening was that adults can be richly nourished through their involvement in the spiritual development of children. Participants were invited to reflect on the beginnings of their own relationship with God. They talked about how they view children, in general and in COS specifically. Each person identified key values they wanted to shape their efforts to help the young members of COS deepen their relationship with God. It was a nourishing evening for all involved-and there was pizza, too!