In September, the church school year began with a new curriculum. Feasting on the Word is a lectionary based curriculum that provides intentional connections between education and worship. Children’s age levels are enhanced by creative, printed color packs and a variety of activities to stimulate learning. We have 28 dedicated Sunday school teachers using Feasting on the Word for first grade through adults. Ten teachers are working with our Godly Play class, a wondering approach with stories from the bible used for our 3’s through kindergarten. Another Adult offering is Living the Questions. This DVD series is intended more to “stir the pot” and leave participants with more questions than answers.

Intergenerational Sundays are occurring once a month. What a blessing to have so many generations represented in this congregation. We have a strong history and many young families. This will include old favorites like Blessing of the Animals, Thanksgiving Baskets, Greening of the Church, and the Parish Picnic combined with a few new events.

Sunday Mornings at Good Shepherd

8:45AM Breakfast for all ages

9:00AM Nursery: Sundays from 9am through the 10am service. Birth through three years of age. The nursery is located on the first floor at the opposite end of the hallway from Memorial Hall. Our nursery offers children an environment of freedom to move and use their senses to know that God’s creation of the world is great and wonderful. Feel free to go into the nursery and introduce yourself to our caregivers and let them know the special needs of your young child. Nadine West and Ann Bryan are the caregivers.

9:15AM Education for all ages

Children:

Nursery: birth – three years; downstairs

Upstairs:

• Godly Play: 3-5 years old; room 208
• 1st- 3rd grade: Feasting on the Word; room 203
• 4th & 5th Grade: Feasting on the Word; room 204
• Youth: Feasting on the Word with Robert Davenport: Youth room

Adult:

• Downstairs: Feasting on the Word in Memorial Hall
• Upstairs: Living the Questions 2.0 Video Series. Elevator Lounge

Godly Play: 3 years–Kindergarten; Room 208

An age appropriate approach for children ages three through Kindergarten to give them a chance to wonder with the Scripture stories and develop room for their spirit to grow. The children learn how to gather to celebrate God’s Word, how to listen and engage in the stories, how to reflect on the stores through art, building and play, and how to share their thanks. Teaching teams rotate throughout the year with a leader and assistant. Parents escort their child upstairs each week, after Godly Play the children will be lead to Children’s Chapel. Teachers are Safe Church Trained.

Feasting on the Word: 1st-3rd Graders in Room 203; 4th-5th in Room 204

Using the Feasting on the Word curriculum, the children will focus on the lectionary for the week. Each week the children will have a gathering, exploring, responding, and closing time focusing on the lectionary for the day. Children’s age levels are enhanced by creative, printed color packs and a variety of activities to stimulate learning including a media connection.

The children in 1st- 3rd will be lead to children’s chapel at 10:00. Fourth and fifth graders will join their parents for the 10am service. Teaching teams rotate throughout the year, Safe Church trained.

Facilitators for adults and Sunday School teachers will be given assistance both from the Church staff and from the teaching guidelines provided by Feasting on the Word. Further assistance may be found on Wednesday mornings with a lectionary based study group open to all members of the congregation from 9-10am.

Adults: 9:15-9:55am

Feasting on the Word—Memorial Hall

Feasting on the Word is a lectionary-based curriculum that provides intentional connections between education and worship. Resources are included for all age levels divided by grades 1st -3rd, 4th and 5th, Youth, and Adult. Everyone explores the same Bible passage each week; making it easy for families to learn and live out their faith together. Youth and Adults pull in a media connection and all ages include gathering, exploring, responding and closing time. Feasting on the Word follows the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), which provides a collection of worship readings from Scripture to be used in a schedule that follows the seasons of the church year.

Living the Questions 2.0—2nd floor elevator lobby

Living the Questions is a popular video small group exploration of progressive Christianity featuring premier religion voices of our day. LtQ2 strives to create an environment where participants can interact with one another in exploring what’s next for Christianity. Featuring thirty acclaimed scholars, theologians and other experts, LtQ2 consists of 21 sessions broken into three main topics: “Invitation to Journey,” “Reclaiming the World” and “Call to Covenant.” Sample themes include taking the Bible seriously, thinking theologically; the Prophetic Jesus; Evil, suffering and a God of Love; Compassion and Prayer; and A Kingdom without Walls. LtQ2 includes downloadable and printable leader and participant guides with weekly readings and discussion questions. The 20-minute video segments include conversations with leading voices of faith, digital stories illustrating aspects of an evolving faith, and concrete spiritual practices and disciplines. The participants will have an additional ten minutes for provided discussion questions or sharing your own thoughts. Grab your coffee and join us upstairs!

Monthly Intergenerational Events—Memorial Hall

Once a month the entire congregation will gather to celebrate and learn together. Some of the old favorites like Blessing of the Animals and the Parish Picnic have been combined with new events using some of this time for outreach. We have so much to learn from all generations of our Congregation. We are blessed to have rich history in our church along with new younger families. Let’s all join together to continue to grow our community.

• September- Ministry Fair
• October – Blessing of the Animals- You Tube animal videos and sharing about our pets
• November- Thanksgiving baskets. Making popcorn turkeys and Turkey Legs
• December- Christmas cards for the residents of Tucker House
• January- Decorated Lunch bags for NEST
• February- Getting to know one another, speed dating Good Shepherd Style
• March- Sing your Blues away this Lent. Music with Ben
• April 22nd
• May 13th
• June 3rd Parish Picnic at Talbot Hall

Children’s Chapel: Sundays at 10:00AM. Following Sunday school, the children will be lead to the rug room or outdoors to the playground (weather permitting). After a few minutes of burning off youthful energy, the children will go to the rug room upstairs for children’s chapel. The Chapel will consist of a children’s story usually following along with the gospel lesson for the day. The reflection will frequently involve a hands on project, movement, or a video clip. The children will join their families at the Peace. Families arriving for the 10am service can bring their children to chapel before church begins. The Children’s chapel offers the children a place apart from the worshiping congregation so children will learn to worship meaningfully with the congregation.

Weekday Offerings:

Wednesday 9-10AM Bible Study. Weekly Bible studies will be held in the Parish Library. This lectionary based study will serve several purposes. Using the Synthesis CE and our new church curriculum Feasting on the Word, these sessions will help teachers for all age groups prepare for the upcoming Sunday. They will also help serve as a weekly Bible study for those interested in further contemplation and being a part of the church’s far reaching commitment to prayer, growth, and community. Join us for a mid week pick me up.

Friday 9-11:15AM EfM, Education for Ministry. We all have different ministries in and outside the church. Over four years, learn about the Old Testament, New Testament, Church History and Theology to then apply your knowledge to all you do. EfM is a yearlong commitment. Our current class is up and running. If you are interested in joining EfM contact the office about starting a new group in the fall of 2012.