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Last Sunday, the younger Faith Formation students continued their Lenten journey by reflecting on how much Jesus loves us and seeks to be close to us. We explored a new parable that helps us understand who Jesus is by listening to Luke 15:4–6 in which Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost. Using the Good Shepherd materials, the children helped set up the sheepfold and acted out the parable. They watched as the shepherd gently searched for the lost sheep, carried it on his shoulders, and celebrated its return. The children responded thoughtfully to wondering questions such as how the sheep might have felt when it was found and what this story tells us about Jesus’ love for each of us. The students also enjoyed making Easter cards to send to people who are in the hospital this Easter season. This hands-on activity allowed them to express the joy and love of the Good Shepherd by reaching out to others who may need comfort and encouragement. The older Faith Formation students explored the Parable of the Leaven by making pretzels from scratch. The class learned about the biology of yeast and its power to change flour and water into rising dough, connecting this process to the hidden but powerful work of God’s Kingdom in our lives. They also learned about the Lenten tradition of pretzel-making, a practice begun by monks as a prayerful, simple food during a time of fasting. As they shaped their pretzels into the form of praying arms, students reflected on how Lent invites us to slow down, pray, and prepare our hearts. Once the pretzels were baked, the kids shared them with the younger children during Children’s Liturgy of the Word. It was a great reminder that God’s Kingdom is something we’re meant to grow and share with others 
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Last week, the younger Faith Formation students explored The Parable of the Leaven as part of their ongoing lessons about the Kingdom of Heaven. To bring the lesson to life, the children observed a hands-on demonstration, comparing two cups—one with yeast and one without—to see how yeast transforms flour. They then helped mix and knead dough, watching as it began to rise, reinforcing the idea that something small and unseen can create a powerful transformation, just as God works within us. After observing and discussing the effects of yeast, they enjoyed freshly baked bread, noticing its warmth, texture, and smell. The lesson ended with a prayer of gratitude, reminding them that even when we cannot see it, God's work is always present and active in our lives. The older students spent time preparing a demonstration of the History of the Kingdom of God ribbon for the Pandemic Remembrance during the 11 AM service. This was a wonderful opportunity for them to actively participate in this special liturgy while also showcasing some of the meaningful work they have been doing during Faith Formation. Well done, everyone! Last week, the younger Faith Formation students explored Lent by thinking about what it means to "make space" in their hearts and lives. They talked about how clearing out distractions can help them focus on kindness, prayer, and growing closer to God. As an activity, the group painted rocks with words or pictures representing things they wanted more of this Lent, like love, peace, and friendship. Some decided to keep their painted rocks as reminders, while others planned to share them as small acts of kindness to spread joy. They also enjoyed designing buttons that reflected Lent’s important ideas—prayer, preparation, and starting fresh. The class wrapped up by sharing what they hoped to make space for during Lent and closed with a short prayer and quiet reflection, asking God to help them along the way. The older students continued their exploration of the History of the Kingdom of God through the lesson "The Gifts." They gathered in the refectory around the History of the Gifts timeline and explored various tangible examples of God's abundant gifts appreciating the opportunity to see, touch, and examine real objects closely, including rocks, minerals, fossils, plants, flowers, animals, seashells, and photos of planets and stars. Students reflected thoughtfully, sharing which gifts they felt most connected to and discussing what it means to receive the gift of each other and how the gift of Jesus shapes their lives. Being able to engage directly with these physical examples deepened their understanding and appreciation of God's generosity and the interconnectedness of all creation, as they continued their exploration of the Kingdom of God. What a wonderful time we had at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner! Thank you to everyone who helped prepare this special gathering before we enter the season of Lent. It was a night filled with laughter, community, and festive fun. Kids enjoyed a pancake decorating contest where creativity ran wild with toppings. We also had a great time decorating crowns and masks in the spirit of Mardi Gras. The duck pond game brought smiles and excitement to the little ones, making it a memorable evening for everyone. This event is a wonderful way to bring families together and start a meaningful annual tradition of sharing joy and fellowship before the reflective season of Lent. We look forward to celebrating with you again next year! Learn more about Shrove Tuesday and why we eat pancakes here: Thanks to the generous support of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), Calvary’s Cooking for a Cause ministry is able to continue providing consistent, high-quality meals to the residents of the East End Cooperative Ministry (EECM) Shelter. A $3,000 grant from the ECW is being used to cover the cost of food for one year, removing the burden of fluctuating in-kind donations and allowing our team to focus fully on the heart of this ministry—serving others with love and dignity. This grant is already making a powerful impact. Most recently, Calvary’s Confirmation Class put their faith into action by preparing and serving a meal for the EECM Shelter. The class began by learning about the mission of EECM and then reflected on the call to serve through donations, volunteering, and advocacy. Their experience was a powerful expression of Christian love and a meaningful reminder that ministry nourishes both body and spirit. We are deeply grateful to the ECW for enabling us to continue this essential work. Their support reflects a shared commitment to hands-on ministries that meet the physical and spiritual needs of our neighbors, and we thank them for investing in the mission of Cooking for a Cause. Last week, the younger students continued exploring Jesus' parables about the Kingdom of God, building on the previous week's lesson on the Precious Pearl. We reflected on the Parable of the Mustard Seed, listening to Mark 4:30-32. After examining the type of mustard seeds found in Israel, which are impressively small, we pondered the deeper reality that God’s great strength and power are at work in even the smallest things, bringing forth life and transformation. As an activity, the class explored different types of seeds, examined photos of the plants they grow into, and planted seeds to observe in the coming weeks. We also had fun creating seed-inspired art. The older students discussed the significance of Lent, its traditions, and practices, focusing on Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and the three pillars of Lent: prayer, giving, and fasting. The class reflected on how they could personally engage with these Lenten practices and created themed buttons as a tangible reminder of their Lenten commitments. To wrap up, they shared insights on what they had learned and how they planned to observe Lent this year. |
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