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REjuvenation!
Religious Education News - May 2005
REjuvenation! ArchivesA Note from Reverend Bonnie
Our Secret
A couple of years ago I took a workshop in children's music by a group called Music Together. They were, of course, very positive about the role of music in children's lives, and children's ability to participate in music at many levels. But they were also clear that their approach had one very particular difference from other children's music approaches. Their approach was the big secret behind their philosophy. They called themselves Music Together because they asked parents to attend the session with their children. And the secret is: the target of the sessions is not the children, but the parents.
So they bring in parents to learn about music by advertising for kids. Why did they do this? Because they believe children will learn music if it is all around them, part of the family. And it will only be part of the family if the parents feel a certain level of success themselves with music, and what it means for them, personally.
Isn't this our approach to religion as well? Many of you have come to Eliot to offer your children Religious Education. But, of course, children get most of their education at home, from parents and family. When you come, you attend services, you teach, you may participate in a Covenant Group, you may come to Family Potlucks, you may participate in any of myriad possibilities to think religiously. When you do, you increase your own knowledge and sense of comfort with religion. Then you reflect that to your children.
Our open secret here is that parents are just as big a part of our Religious Education program as children. Your journey is an integral part of what your child's journey will be. We want to continue to offer you and your children a place to explore and grow. This is the season of growth!
May we journey together.
Faithfully,
Bonnie
May RE Calendar
| May 1, Sunday | 9:15 am Nursery - 5th grade RE classes only>br>
10:45 am Nursery - Senior High classes
Both services Children K-5th grade begin in service for first 15 minutes, then attend class as usual 10:15 - 10:45 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room |
| May 8, Sunday | Intergenerational Mother's Day Flower Communion Children K-5th grade attend adult service Childcare in room 106 for Intermediate-Pre-K Nursery in session as usual |
| May 13, Friday | 9:30 - 11:00 am Playgroup meets in the nursery
|
| May 15, Sunday | Both services Children K-3rd grade begin morning in Children's Chapel Children 4th-5thgrade end morning in Children's Chapel RE Classes as usual 10:15 - 10:45 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room 10:45 am Adult GATE partners in class |
| May 20, Friday | 8:00 pm to 8:00 am 6th grade/Junior High lock in
|
| May 22, Sunday | Children's Chapel and RE classes as usual 10:15 - 10:45 am Chalice Choir rehearsal in music room |
| May 29, Sunday | Intergenerational Animal Blessing at 10:00 only Children K-5th grade attend adult service Childcare in room 106 for Intermediate-Pre-K Nursery in session as usual |
Summer Camp 2005
Good news - Eliot Chapel Summer Camp 2005 is coming the first full week in August,
August 1 -5. As you know, each summer we alternate world religions with the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. This year's theme is Stories Jesus Told. We will begin passing out registration forms on Mother's Day, May 8. Registrations are due by June 19, so be sure to get your forms in as soon as possible. The fee is only $35 per child.
Summer Camp is a week filled with stories, games, crafts, food, music and fun. If you are a student entering Kindergarten through 5th grade, you are invited to join us as campers. We always love to have older students help as well, so if you're too old to be a camper, you can still join in the fun.
We are very fortunate to have several parents who help out year after year, but we need lots of help to make the camp a success. Adults who are interested in helping should contact immediately. We need people to help with crafts, drama, snacks, childcare (for the young children of our volunteers) and more. If you ask anyone who's helped with camp before, you'll learn that the camp experience is fun for everyone, not just the kids! We hope to see you there.
Summer Religious Education
Summer RE classes will run concurrently with the adult service at 10:00 am each Sunday beginning on June 19 through Labor Day weekend, September 4. Please note that the June 19 Father's Day service and the September 4 service are intergenerational for children Kindergarten and up. Childcare will be provided for younger children every Sunday.
We will have three classes open this summer: the nursery for children who don't turn two until after August 1 and younger; a preschool room for two to four year olds and a multi-age group for children entering Kindergarten and up. The theme in this class over the summer is Native American Spirituality. Lynn Murphy and Debbie Fechter will be teaching the class.
We ask that students register before the summer services start. Registration forms will be available beginning May 8.
Teacher Recruitment
We want to thank all the wonderful people who've signed up to teach next year, both new and returning teachers. Before we break for the summer, we'd like to remind you that we can't start up in September until all our fall teaching slots are filled. Please consider teaching one of these fall classes:
| 9:15 | Intermediate 1 | all 3 slots open | Pre-Kindergarten | 1 slot | Kindergarten | 2 slots | 10:45 | Intermediate | 1 slot | Pre-Kindergarten | 2 slots | 1st grade | 2 slots |
And we have oodles of spring slots (10 at 9:15 from Intermediate through 3rd grade and 13 at 10:45 from Intermediate through 5th grade) if fall just won't work for you!
Father's Day Service
We are pleased to announce that Susan Maginn will lead our intergenerational Father's Day service on June 19. She will preach her award-winning sermon entitled "Beloved Community." The Father's Day service is the first service on the summer schedule, which means there will be only one service at 10:00 am.
During the service, we will celebrate our fathers and father figures together. Please bring something that reminds you of your father to add to our tribute table during the service. You may wish to say a few words about your father or offer it in silent tribute. You will be able to collect the item at the end of the service. We would like adults and children to participate in this part of the service.
If you have any questions about the service, please contact Joan Casey for clarification.
Youth News - Graduating Seniors
Our graduation service be on June 12th. One aspect of the service will be to acknowledge all graduating seniors that are affiliated with Eliot Chapel. If you know a graduating youth that would like to be included in this service, please contact Susan Maginn at .
Father's Day Cover Contest
Hey kids, do you like to draw? We would like to have an original picture on the cover of the Father's Day order of service. Drawings should be in black and white (but with no heavy dark places - that gums up our copy machine!) and the size of an order of service cover (5x8 inches).
Please forward your submissions to Joan Casey no later than June 5. The one chosen will appear on the June 19 order of service. All others will be displayed on the bulletin boards.
RE FUNDRAISER - Book Sale
Summertime's almost here, and you know what that means - that it's time to go Barefoot -- with Barefoot Books, that is! Books from Barefoot Books, an independent children's publishing company, will be on display in Adams
Hall on June 5 and June 12. All proceeds will go directly to
Eliot Chapel. Check the display out in Adams Hall.
Please call Susan Duncan at (314) 846-2686 with any
questions about the books or the sale.
Playgroup Fun
If you've got a little one, come join us in the nursery at 9:30 am on Friday, May 13 for play (the kids) and conversation (the adults). See you there!
This newsletter is a product of the Eliot Chapel Religious Education Department. Please direct any articles, comments, or questions to Joan Casey (Religious Education Director) at 314-821-0911 or at . An article must be submitted no later than the 20th of each month to ensure it appearing in the next issue.
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