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Last week, Miss Elsa's class focused on "Making Space" as a way of understanding Lent as a period of growth, change, and preparation for Easter. As an activity, students worked with clay to create Lenten Prayer Pots for placing notes or items that will remind them of things they want to make space for in their lives.  The older students learned about the daily Examen—a prayerful way to review the day to recognize God's presence and movement in our everyday lives. After the discussion, they crafted clay prayer pots, which they filled with glass stones representing different aspects of the Examen to aid in their daily reflection. 
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Last week, our Faith Formation classes reflected on the importance of Lent, inspired by Jesus' forty-day retreat in the wilderness before starting his public work. We explored Lent as a time to make space for self-reflection, readiness, and change. The conversations shifted from seeing Lent as merely a time of giving up things to viewing it as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of God's love, which in turn, fosters personal development and change. As an activity, Miss Elsa’s class decorated small wooden flower shapes to be included in the Calvary Capital Campaign goal-tracking project. The students enjoyed adding color and creative designs to each flower which will be added to the poster as a way to track the number of pledges. The Level III students were delighted to present the final project during Coffee Hour. It was inspiring to see them articulate the design process and the significance of the artwork. Kudos to these students for a job well done! Miss Laura's Level IV class has been progressing through the Bible and is currently studying the epistles. They plan to spend one more Sunday on this subject before proceeding to explore The Revelation of John. Following this, the class will transition into a brief overview of church history, enriching their understanding of the Christian faith's development over time.
Our Faith Formation class at Calvary embarked on a creative mission to visually capture the essence of our church’s Capital Campaign. With a monumental goal of raising $6 million to Preserve, Sustain, and Share, we wanted our chart to be more than just numbers; we wanted it to be a vibrant testament to faith and God’s creation. So, with colorful markers and big sheets of paper spread out, we began brainstorming how to bring this vision to life. The idea blossomed like the very sunflowers we plant each spring in our garden. We decided to draw a tall, flourishing tree with a large, radiant sun at its center, mirroring the sunflowers that reach toward the sky in our garden. These sunflowers are special to us; they start as tiny seeds but grow into something magnificent and bountiful, a miracle we witness year after year. This growth from a small beginning to something grand became the perfect symbol for our campaign's journey. At the heart of our tree, we placed the sun, not just any sun, but one that embodies the warmth and brightness of God’s love. This sun also holds a deeper meaning for us—it reminds us of the Body of Christ that we celebrate during the Eucharist. Just as the sunflowers turn towards the sun, we are drawn to the light of Christ, nurturing our faith and community. Around the tree, we added flowers, bees, and birds, and even a life-giving river winding its way through the landscape. These elements represent the interconnectedness of all life in God’s creation. Each creature, each plant, relies on the others, just as we depend on one another in our faith community. Fluttering among the branches, a butterfly catches the eye. To us, it’s a powerful symbol of Christ’s resurrection and our own hope for renewal. This theme of renewal is echoed in the very structure of our chart. Within the tree, we carefully outlined the shape of Calvary church, signifying the ongoing growth and blossoming of our faith and community under God’s nurturing care. As for tracking our progress towards the $6 million goal, we chose to use lights—each one representing a step closer to our target. These lights are not just markers; they symbolize bringing more of God’s light into our church and community, both literally and figuratively. Creating this chart was more than an art project for us. It was a way to express our faith, our hopes, and our commitment to the campaign. We see it not just as a tracker of funds, but as a living representation of our journey together, growing in God’s love and light, just like the sunflowers in our garden. Through this chart, we hope to inspire our church community to see the beauty and potential in each contribution, no matter how small, toward achieving something truly glorious. Last Sunday, the students in Miss Elsa’s class enjoyed an early celebration of Saint Valentine’s Day. They reflected on God’s love as a gift we can share then created special cards and candy treats to give our neighbors at the East End Cooperative Ministry. The older students learned about the Transfiguration and how Jesus' status as Messiah was confirmed by the divine testimony that he is God's beloved son. The lesson also included a brief discussion about the coming of Lent, including the meaning of Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. As we anticipate the start of Lent, our Faith Formation classes eagerly await a season filled with reflection, spiritual growth, and meaningful connections with each other and our faith. Last week, Miss Elsa’s class focused on Matthew 5:13-2 which calls us all to accept the light we have received and let it shine forth. Children reflected on how, like salt, we each add our own special flavor that makes the world a better place. The class enjoyed a hands-on activity that included crafting colorful votives which, when illuminated by flameless tealight candles, created a scintillating reminder of God’s light in each of us. The older group discussed the Gospel reading, noting Jesus went off to pray as a way of feeding his soul and listening to God. The students reviewed the Lord’s Prayer and examined various versions and translations, including one written in Aramaic. The class reflected on how both formal and informal prayer can be helpful depending on the situation. Coloring and laminating a copy of Our Father gave each student something to keep at home as a reminder of this very special way of connecting to God.
Source: https://cofewinchester.contentfiles.net/media/assets/file/Versions_of_The_Lords_Prayer.pdf Last Sunday, the Faith Formation classes discussed the Presentation in the Temple and learned how Jesus and his family followed the Jewish customs of the time – consecration to God and purification. Students reflected on how Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies and how their openness to God’s plan offers a model for all who desire the fullness of God’s life. The younger students had a great time crafting clay sculptures to commemorate the two turtles that Mary and Joseph offered as a sacrifice. The aquaponics system set up by our Faith Formation classes in the fall has truly flourished! The sight of the vibrant fish swimming gracefully amidst the flourishing greenery brings a unique sense of warmth and hope during these chilly winter days, reminding us of the beauty and resilience of life even in the most challenging of seasons.  |
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