3rd Sunday after the Epiphany: Sunday School Open House! South Central Region Youth Ministry Event

January 26, 2020
Dear Hearts,
 
Our Sunday School Open House is this Sunday!  We want to celebrate our programs' new beginning with Tyler Jarvis, our new Director for Children & Youth Ministries.  If neighbors or family members have wondered aloud about our program for pre-K through 8th graders, be sure to let them know about this Sunday's events.

The Open House will begin this Sunday, January 26, with a Meet & Greet with Tyler at 9:30a.m. in the Parish Hall with Tyler.  This is for parents, youngsters and all interested folk.  As the 10a.m. service begins, the Sunday School's morning will continue with three gatherings (to which parents are invited).  In our new program, there'll be nursery care for our youngest, a gathering for pre-K to 4th graders, and a Middle Schoolers gathering with Tyler.  This Sunday, Sunday School and Youth gatherings will end a bit earlier than usual so children and youth may join the congregation in the nave at 10:30a.m.; we'll also adjust the order of service a bit so that Tyler can preach a Children's Sermon, which the adults are invited to overhear.  We will then move on to the Peace and Eucharist.  The Coffee Hour will be hosted by Sunday School families and provide an additional opportunity for the whole parish to get acquainted with Tyler.

There's a great photo of Tyler with some of our Sunday School children in this week's Shoreline Times.  You can see it here.  There are smiles all around the table; those smiles reflect the reception that Tyler has received from all who have met him.  Whether you have children in the program or not, please do take this opportunity to meet Tyler and to hear from him.

Tyler will also meet with our Youth Confirmation Group on Monday, January 27th from 7-8p.m. in the Rectory.  Jennifer Huebner and I also get to join this gathering  typically of young folk in 9th and 10th grade; in part, we're there to represent the support and commitment of the rest of the parish for these young folk as they consider confirming the promises made for, and with them, at Baptism.  At Confirmation, they will also receive the strengthening of the Holy Spirit with one of our Bishops.

​Registration is now open for the South Central Region Youth Ministry Event that Region Missionary George Black announced during his visit earlier this month.  Titled "Opening the Doors of Faith:  Re-Imagining Youth Ministry," participants will  be invited to "share, dream and commit to a new vision for youth ministry," including consideration for youth beyond those within our parish walls.  We'll gather on the western side of our Region at St. Peter's Church in Milford, on Saturday, February 1, from 9a.m. to noon..  Adults who are interested in Youth Ministry are encouraged to participate; please register here.

Thursday morning Bible Study, and the Rectory Forum are engaged in an Introduction to the Book of Common Prayer.  By paying attention to the opening pages of the Prayer Book, one can see that from the earliest days of the Episcopal Church, our worship has been shaped in conventions of bishops, clergy and laity, in response to Scripture and the traditions of the undivided Church.  The other key factor In the American context: a newly independent country needed a Church in continuity with the Church of England, that was also independent..  Your questions, whether general or detailed, will help shape what we discuss; no other preparation required.  Join the roughly parallel conversations over coffee and tea on Thursdays at 9:30a.m. and Sundays at about 9:10a.m. in the Rectory.

I look forward to joining you this Sunday in officially welcoming Tyler Jarvis and celebrating our Sunday School program. 
In faith and hope,
Harrison+
YFNR