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After enjoying calming, practical life activities such as silver polishing and flower arranging, the Level I class explored the theme, “God Gives Us Color”. Working with the wooden liturgical calendar puzzle and miniature chasubles, they learned that the Church’s calendar tells the story of Jesus’ life and explored the significance of each of the liturgical colors. The class also enjoyed color-mixing and leaf rubbing while reflecting on color in creation and throughout the Church year. Miss Wendy’s Level II class focused on The Lord’s Prayer. After hearing Matthew 6:9–13, they learned that this prayer is Jesus’ gift and a pattern for talking with God. Using wooden verse pieces, the children translated the prayer into simple meanings, then placed each line on the rug in order and prayed together. They discussed why memorizing can comfort us in fear, sadness, or gratitude, and noted when we say the prayer together in church. To finish, each child created and laminated a Lord’s Prayer card with traditional words on the front and a child-friendly explanation on the back to keep at home in a special place. In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray for the coming of the Kingdom of God and, directly afterwards, for His will to be done. This longing for the fullness of the Kingdom of God and the desire to work with Him in preparing for the moment when God will be “all in all” involves seeking and knowing His will. As we pray today, let us invite Him to open our hearts to all that He has for us both now and for eternity. (Source: The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Inc. 2022) 
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Last week, the Level I class explored “What is Prayer?” Students shared what they knew about prayer then practiced many ways to pray: words, silence (hand on heart), a hum, open-hand movement, helping, and art. As a creative activity, each child pressed a sand–salt-dough hand print to remember, “These hands can pray!” The Level II class explored prayer as our response to God, “by thought and by deeds, with or without words” (BCP, p. 856). They learned about types of prayer including adoration, praise, thanksgiving, penitence, oblation, intercession, and petition, with simple examples. The book, Sparrow’s Prayer, prompted a discussion about wordless ways to pray. They practiced gentle breath-and-stretch prayers, and then rotated through two stations: tying a fleece prayer blanket (“our hands are praying; every knot is love”) which will be given to a special member of our community and creating artwork as a prayer of adoration and praise. Last week, Miss Elsa’s class explored “Creation & God’s Goodness—You are part of something wonderful!” They began with calm Practical Life work, practicing grace and courtesy—carrying trays carefully, rolling rugs, and returning materials “ready for the next friend.” At circle time, they listened to Let There Be Light by Desmond Tutu. Children shared what makes them special and named beautiful things God made. For creative time, they decorated small birdhouses with simple decoupage to remember that every part of creation and each child is unique and good. Miss Wendy’s class explored “The Holy Bible” as one precious book made of many books. They read What Is the Bible? by Rachel Held Evans, and wondered how stories, songs, laws, letters, and visions each tell truth in different ways. Using the wooden Bible cabinet material, they saw how the Old and New Testaments are organized—Torah, History, Wisdom, Prophets; Gospels, Acts, Letters, Revelation. Miss Wendy then introduced the Episcopal “three-legged stool,” explaining how Scripture, Tradition, and Reason help us understand with balance. While creating scratch-off bookmarks, students talked about what “true” can mean (facts, promises, wisdom, and love) and how Tradition and Reason guide us through hard passages. They closed in prayer with the take-home message: “God speaks through the Bible. In our church we listen with Scripture, Tradition, and Reason.” The Level III class reflected on the life of St. Francis of Assisi highlighting his radical choice of poverty and service to the poor, his love for animals and nature, and his joyful praise of God’s creation. Outside, students harvested vegetables before pausing at the St. Francis statue in Swan Garden. Back in class, they learned how St. Francis staged the first Nativity at Greccio and linked that tradition to Calvary’s annual pageant considering details that help people feel God’s love. Our Level I children continued the Parable of the Good Shepherd by hearing Psalm 23 in child-friendly language. After a calm practical-life work time, they gathered to remember that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows each of us by name, leads us to what we need, and stays with us when we feel afraid. The children also made scented comfort warmers to take home as a reminder: “When I feel worried, Jesus is with me. I am not afraid.” Miss Wendy’s class celebrated Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael, Calvary’s patron, by learning who St. Michael is and what angels are: God’s messengers who help, protect, and praise God. Students reflected on how St. Michael models courage and justice, and how God helps people choose what is right. They explored the church on a St. Michael scavenger hunt, spotting images in windows, statues, and symbols throughout the sanctuary. Back in the classroom, they created “Shields of Courage,” adding brief prayers and intentions about where they need bravery this week and how they can act justly at school and home. The Level III group observed Michaelmas by reflecting on the themes of courage, inner strength, and justice. After sharing brief examples of when they needed courage, they discussed how St. Michael represents God’s protection and justice and how the dragon symbolizes evil and chaos, reinforcing the takeaway that evil does not prevail and the church is called to faithful courage. They then enjoyed a fun activity, crafting St. Michael chocolate candy cupcake toppers to contribute to the parish picnic. |
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