The Faith Formation students celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday by listening to the Parable of the Found Sheep, reflecting on the Good Shepherd's determination to find the one lost sheep and the joyous celebration upon its return, reminding  us of Jesus' unconditional and never-ending love. The children were encouraged to think about the names of the sheep, the feelings of the lost sheep, and the Good Shepherd’s joy upon finding it. They also pondered the significance of the sheep being individually known and cared for by the Good Shepherd, like Jesus' relationship with each of us. 

The older students participated in a lesson focusing on Creation Care, as part of the "Season of Creation'' series. The focus was on understanding our role as stewards of the environment, emphasizing the theological and ecological significance of caring for creation. We were delighted to welcome guest speaker, Laura Everhart, a member of the  Calvary Creation Care team, who shared practical stewardship strategies like recycling and composting. Students engaged in a thoughtful discussion about ways they can help care for creation both globally as well as right here in our neighborhood. We also had a chance to take a quick look at the raised bed gardens to assess readiness for planting.

As an additional enrichment activity, students took  a close-up look at various wonders of nature under the microscope, marveling at the intricacies and beauty of God’s creation, even on the smallest scale.  The day concluded with a brainstorming session on ways the youth of Calvary can be part of the Calvary Creation Care initiatives and ideas for future collaboration within our community. Thank you, Laura and the Creation Care team for sharing a hopeful vision of the future and inspiring us all to do our part!

Last week, Miss Elsa’s class discussed prayer as the way we communicate with God. The lesson included a review of formal prayers, such as the Our Father, as well other forms such as art, movement, and music. As a hands-on activity, students enjoyed creating colorful “prayer paintings”, learning that we can talk to God in many different ways!

The older students explored the significance of the Last Supper, discussing how Jesus is viewed as the sacrificial lamb, akin to the lamb in Passover, and the importance of this symbolism in the context of Holy Communion.

The class then visited the Lady Chapel to view the altar and the items used during Holy Communion, discussing the roles of the deacon and priest, and the Episcopal belief in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
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The lesson concluded with an interactive activity where students handled model items used in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, such as the chalice and paten, helping them understand their use and significance in the liturgy. This educational experience helped deepen their understanding of their faith and the communal aspects of participating in Holy Communion.

We continue our celebration of Easter!  Miss Elsa’s class learned about the sacrament of baptism and discussed the significance of water, the Word, and the oils, each with deep spiritual significance.  A visit to the church's baptismal font and a close-up look at the Paschal candle burning brightly further enriched their experience, making the sacrament's symbols more tangible and meaningful. As a special way to end the class, guest author, Sara Woodside, read her recently published children’s book aloud to a captive audience. Thank you, Sara!

The older students reviewed highlights of the Paschal Triduum and watched portions of the video-recorded services of Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil. Witnessing the darkness after the stripping of the altar contrasted with the candlelit procession, and the lighting of the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil was impactful and led to insightful discussions about Christ's resurrection and victory over death and darkness.

The class also took a short walk into the church for a close look at the baptismal font and the Paschal candle, then stopped momentarily in the All Saints’ chapel where students lit individual candles and said a prayer. This was followed by a brief candle-pouring demonstration in the refectory along with a discussion about the use of beeswax and the tradition of candle-making at Calvary.

The morning concluded with an engaging presentation about acolytes, with a special focus on the role of the torch bearer, offering students a hands-on understanding of various opportunities to serve in our church services.

Thank you to everyone who participated in and helped with the annual Calvary Easter Egg Hunt--a joyful and fun-filled way to celebrate the Risen Christ--Alleluia!