Dear Friends in Christ—
Last weekend at Shrine Mont, I saw a group of kids running down to the pond. My girls are
older now, but I was struck by how much they reminded me of my own kids, back when they
were small. And then I thought, they are my kids, at least in this moment.
One of the values of Christian life is community, and that community includes our care of
children. At each baptism, we promise to do all in our power to support each child in his or her
life in Christ. And thus, each child becomes a child of this entire community. We look after
every kid wandering towards the pond as if she or he were our own. We pray not just for the
children in our house but for the children in our parish. We think about children’s formation
whether we have children or not.
This Sunday, our formation for young people resumes. You will note some differences which
represent our commitment of resources to these children:
- The nursery has been moved to the Saint Nicholas Room, which is just down the stairs
from the back of the nave. This location will be easier for newcomers to find and more
accessible during the service. - The former nursery has become our Godly Play Room. Please drop by and see the new
space. It will serve as a resource for our youngest Sunday School class, as well as for
Grace Episcopal School and Children’s Chapel. Speaking of which . . . - Children’s Chapel will resume this Sunday at the 10:30 a.m. service. Children will begin
the liturgy seated with their parents. During the Gloria, they will follow the crucifer out
the pulpit side door and to the Godly Play Room; they will return, as always, at the
Peace. Chapel is available for children aged 3 through 3rd grade. (We encourage 4 th graders
and older to serve as acolytes.) - Summer church is continuing—now called Little Church. This service will meet from
9:00-9:30 in the amphitheater (or the auditorium in bad weather) and is meant for our
youngest worshippers and their families.
We’re kicking it all off with a bang . . . or, really, a llama. And a rabbit. And breakfast burritos.
And blessing backpacks! All of these things will happen on the playground beginning at 9:15 this Sunday.
I hope to see you all there, because this work belongs to all of us.
Yours in Christ,
Anne+