|
Last week, the older students spent time in the kitchen baking dog biscuits to sell at the Calvary Bazaar while the Confirmation class helped set up for Coffee Hour.  Miss Elsa's class prepared for Advent by learning about the geography of where Jesus lived. They began with a quick review of the liturgical calendar and the upcoming color change to purple, symbolizing the Advent season and the anticipation of Jesus’ birth. Miss Elsa emphasized that Jesus was a real person, living on earth just like them. The class examined a globe, learning about its purpose, and located Israel to see where Jesus walked. Using a topographical map, they placed small flags on key locations like Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem, learning about the significance of each place in Jesus' life. As a closing activity, the students worked together on a puzzle map, coloring, and tracing outlines of the land where Jesus lived. They finished by potting Spider plants, which will be sold at the upcoming Calvary Bazaar to support local charities. Through these activities, the students not only deepened their understanding of Jesus’ life and ministry but also strengthened their sense of community and service in preparation for the Advent season.
0 Comments
Last Sunday, the younger students explored the beauty and significance of colors in the Church through the theme of "God Gives Us Color." The lesson focused on the Liturgical Calendar, helping the students understand how the Church marks time just as nature does. They learned about the meanings behind the colors—white for celebrations like Christmas and Easter, purple for preparation during Advent and Lent, green for growth in Ordinary Time, and red for the Holy Spirit. They also had fun making leaf rubbings with the liturgical colors and arranging flowers for the prayer table. They reflected on how both nature and the Church use colors to help us feel God's love and understand His presence in the world around us. The older students gave a brief presentation to the adult Gospel and Breakfast group, explaining the Church’s Liturgical Year and how it helps us "keep sacred time." They talked about how the Liturgical Year is divided into two main cycles: the Christmas Cycle, which starts with Advent and leads to Christmas and Epiphany, and the Easter Cycle, beginning with Lent and culminating in Easter and Pentecost. Through these seasons, the Church remembers key moments in Jesus' life, from His birth to His Resurrection. The students also highlighted that we are currently in Ordinary Time, a "growing season" symbolized by green and that Advent will mark the beginning of a new Liturgical Year. Last Sunday, the Faith Formation classes continued exploring the life of Saint Francis with a follow-up lesson, "All Creatures Great and Small”. After a brief prayer and discussion, the students had the opportunity to meet Beau, a therapy dog from Animal Friends. The volunteer, Joan Lacomis, explained the vital role therapy dogs play in bringing comfort and healing to people in need. A special thank you to Joan and Animal Friends for generously spending time with our students and sharing the inspiring work of therapy animals! Last week, the Faith Formation students celebrated the life of Saint Francis of Assisi with activities that highlighted his compassion for others and his deep love for all of God's creation. The younger students in Miss Elsa's and Miss Wendy's classes read about Saint Francis and crafted simple bird feeders, which they hung in the trees near the Swan Garden. They also enjoyed a nature scavenger hunt, taking advantage of the beautiful fall weather. The older students talked about how they could follow Saint Francis' example and make a positive impact in the community. They also spent time decorating wooden birdhouses and then headed outside to harvest the remaining vegetables in our community garden. In reflecting on the life of Saint Francis, we are reminded that through small acts of kindness, love for others, and care for creation, we too can follow his example and strive to be saints in our everyday lives. Students in Miss Elsa’s and Miss Wendy’s groups joyfully received and reflected on the core message of our faith: God's love, experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd. They learned how Jesus, who died and is risen, calls each of his sheep by name, and how the sheep recognize and follow his voice. The children explored their own special relationship with Jesus by imagining themselves as the beloved sheep in the sheepfold. As a follow-on activity, they decorated wooden sheep cutouts and wrote their names on them, a reminder that they are personally known and loved by the Good Shepherd. The older students explored how science can inspire worship, focusing on the deep connections between awe, wonder, and faith. They began by reflecting on Psalm 8 and sharing personal experiences of awe in nature. They also watched a short video that highlighted how scientific discoveries evoke a sense of wonder. This led to a discussion about how both science and faith can serve as pathways to worship. The class concluded with a walk through the church in celebration of the Feast of St. Michael, during which they learned about Calvary’s patron saint and discovered images of him throughout the church.
It was wonderful to see everyone back at Faith Formation this past Sunday! The younger children spent time exploring their classroom, getting to know one another, and reflecting on God's light, love, and creation. They gathered for circle time, where we introduced the theme, "You are part of something truly amazing," and read Let There Be Light by Desmond Tutu. The children shared their thoughts on God's creation and how it made them feel loved and special. Outdoors, the children enjoyed picking vegetables from the garden, marveling at how much had grown then spent time embracing the first official day of fall on the playground. The older class reflected on their summer experiences and engaged in a discussion about Julian of Norwich’s writings on God’s love. They also arranged flowers and then placed them throughout the church to remind us of the constant presence of love in the world around us. It was a beautiful day of reconnecting with one another and reflecting on God's light and love! Last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost and the last day of Faith Formation and CLW of the school year. We discussed the significant events of Pentecost, focusing on the descent of the Holy Spirit, how it gave the apostles courage, and how it continues to influence our lives today. Later, we headed outdoors and released 1500 bright red ladybugs into our recently planted garden, a reminder of new life and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us spread God’s message of love. As a treat, we enjoyed cake in recognition of the church’s birthday then spent the remainder of the time enjoying the warm spring day--a perfect way to end another great year of Faith Formation! Last Sunday, the Faith Formation classes learned about the Wedding Feast at Cana, where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine. We talked about how Jesus could transform ordinary things into extraordinary ones and how Mary not only noticed the lack of wine but also proactively instructed the servants to do whatever Jesus told them. As an activity, students used fresh flowers to create individual bouquets to give to a special caregiver in their lives. Last week, the younger Faith Formation students discussed creation, specifically highlighting the beauty and intricacy of butterflies as an example of God's handiwork. The students explored the concept of new life in Christ, paralleling the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly with spiritual renewal and rebirth. After observing live caterpillars and discussing their lifecycle from a tiny egg to a butterfly, the class went outside to enjoy the warm, sunny day. The beauty of spring helped inspire their colorful butterfly art. “Is it possible that God made butterflies to teach us lessons about life? We are all a work in progress and we have to go through a caterpillar stage before we can be transformed into a beautiful butterfly. The caterpillar might not look like much now, but when God gets done with it, it will become a creature of amazing beauty.”  The older students explored the Parable of the True Vine and visited the garden to see the grape vines we planted last year which are just beginning to emerge from their winter dormancy. We also spent time cleaning and preparing the beds and garden boxes for spring planting in a few weeks. We noted that the difference between the branch and the vine is difficult to discern. What a joy it is to ponder the beauty of the plant that is made of interconnected branches, filled with the sap that flows through the vine bringing life to every part of each branch. It is by remaining on the vine that the branches bear beautiful fruit, fruit that brings glory to the vine grower, God the Father. It’s such a gift to be a branch on this True Vine!  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. 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. "For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” — John 6:33
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. The celebration of Christ's triumphant Resurrection isn't confined to just one day; the Easter season spans 50 days--rejoice and be glad!
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! Last week, the Faith Formation students prepared for the celebration of the Risen Christ. Miss Elsa's class discussed The Last Supper within the broader theme of the Paschal Mystery. The lesson focused on the pivotal moment when Jesus instituted the Eucharist during his last Passover meal with his disciples, emphasizing the significance of the new covenant. The presentation helped deepen the understanding of the Eucharist as a memorial of Christ's death and resurrection, preparing them for a more profound participation in the Easter celebrations. The lesson also included a taste of bread and grape juice, fostering a continued discussion of what it might have been like to eat this meal with Jesus in the Upper Room. The older students had a busy morning which included baking a large batch of “resurrection rolls” and then sharing them with the younger group along with a beautifully presented overview of Holy Week. It was truly inspiring to see the older students take on the role of mentors, sharing the profound events of the last days of Jesus with such care and reverence. Afterward, the sweet cinnamon resurrection rolls were enjoyed by all. Children’s Liturgy of the Word on Palm Sunday was especially exciting. After hearing the story of Easter read aloud, the group engaged in a reflective discussion about the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Christ. A model of the City of Jerusalem helped reinforce the historical aspects of the Triduum and seeing the recently sprouted seeds planted during last week’s class served inspired a deep sense of awe. Just as a seed must be buried in the ground before it can break through the soil in a burst of growth, Christ's resurrection signifies the triumph of life over death, light over darkness. Alleluia! The Faith Formation classes concluded their work with the Kingdom Parables, focusing on the Mustard Seed. Students were amazed to see tiny mustard seeds from Israel, just like the one Jesus referred to when teaching about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. Some reflections included, God's great strength and power within the seed makes the tiny seed grow and change into something much bigger and so very different - a tree. There are so very many seeds in the world, seeds of all kinds, and each of those seeds has this same great strength of God working within it to cause such growth and change. How much of this strength, this energy, is at work in the world all around us! We are like the mustard seed. We began life so very tiny, and yet we are growing and changing. This strength of the life of God that is in the mustard seeds is also at work within us, causing us to keep growing and changing until and beyond our death. Afterward, the students took a close look at various garden seeds, selecting some to plant and sprout for later use in our summer garden. With the remaining time, we couldn’t forget to mention Saint Patrick and some of the many ways he helped share God’s message of love including his creative use of the shamrock to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity.
Last Sunday, the Faith Formation classes continued their exploration of the Kingdom Parables, focusing on the Pearl of Great Price. Students had the opportunity to look closely at the various shapes and qualities of a small sample of cultured pearls and then reflected on what the Kingdom of God might be like as illustrated by the merchant's actions in the parable.
Stringing beads to make a bracelet and creating a “Pearl in a shell” craft served as a creative and tangible reminder of the lesson's core messages about value, beauty, and the joy of discovery in relation to the Kingdom of God.
"He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” ~Matthew 13:31 Last Sunday, the Faith Formation classes discussed the Parable of the Leaven and observed the effects of yeast on flour. This visual and tactile experiment allowed them to witness firsthand the growth and transformation caused by the leaven. After observing the changes in the mixture, including its increased size, smell, and texture, students discussed the implications of the parable, drawing parallels between the yeast's work and the silent, powerful workings of God's Kingdom. The mystery of the Kingdom of God is one of the greatest mysteries of our faith. It was such an important part of what Jesus wanted to communicate during His time on earth that there are over forty parables about the Kingdom in the Gospels How might we answer the question, “What is the Kingdom of God?” • What brings growth and transformation in our lives? • What is most precious to us? • In what way are we part of the Kingdom of God? • How is the Kingdom part of us? • How might the Holy Bible and the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, help us to ponder the Kingdom of God? The older group baked a batch of small loaves, taking turns measuring, stirring, and kneading. Everyone enjoyed eating the freshly baked bread on the playground, reveling in the warm sunshine. Spring is on its way! 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.  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. |
RSS Feed