On Tuesday nights starting April 12 and running through May 17, Bill Carter will lead a book discussion around Strength for the Journey: A Guide to Spiritual Practice by Renee Miller in the Elsie Lewis Room from 7:15-8:15 p.m.
For more information on Christian Education at St. George’s, see Adult Formation.
“Have a Blessed Day.” It’s a phrase we hear many times each Tuesday from our shoppers along with thank you; it’s a phrase we understand. It comes with smiles, we smile back because we really do understand what it means to the seniors living on fixed incomes with medical bills, to the families who can’t stretch incomes far enough, to the students choosing between education and food, to the newly housed with new responsibilities, to the homeless with nowhere to go and no money for anything. The Table means fresh vegetables and fruit. It means cooking lessons and volunteers stepping up to explain what to do with an unfamiliar vegetable. It means words of comfort and reassurance.
It also means books for children who are hungry to learn but don’t get to the library and can’t afford to go to a bookstore. I often get to walk around the tables carrying babies while their parents and grandparents shop. This past week I walked with a grandmother, her daughter, 4-year old grandson and his baby sister. While mom and grandma shopped, Addison tried to coax the 4-year-old to look at books. He was very shy, and no amount of persuasion worked–until I spotted the Superman shirt he was wearing and asked Addie to find a book with a superhero. Eyes averted and head down, he finally accepted a Star Wars book. Once outside walking to the car, his head came up, a smile crept in and skipping started; the book was held up for all to see. His final action before getting in the car was to ask me to watch him run–to see how fast he was. I surely had a blessed day!
I invite us to join our prayers with the prayers of so many around the world for all those affected by recent terrorist bombings in Brussels, Belgium, and Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast. We pray for those killed and injured and their families. We pray for all those who responded with care and service. We pray for a conversion of heart for our enemies who would commit such horrible acts of violence. We pray for world and local leaders, for wisdom and sound judgment as they respond. We pray for faith that seeks wholeness and healing instead of further division and injury in our world. As we walk these days of Holy Week, remembering how people put the innocent son of God to death on a cross, we see how human beings continue to betray the image of God in themselves and each other.
Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy immortal One, have mercy upon us.
By your grace, as we stumble through the darkness, may we witness a new light being kindled in our hearts and in the world you have created.
Your brother in Christ,
Joe+
Maggie, Caroline and I want to extend great thanks to you and your family for supporting us on our trip to the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the Girl Child. This year’s trip to the CSW renewed our passion and purpose for social justice and human rights. Each day in New York we were surrounded by accomplished women, both adults and our own peers. It was in fact, those girls, who were driven, well-spoken and resilient, who inspired us the most. You have given us an incredible experience, and we are so grateful.
Thank you,
Clara Camber
It has been a remarkable year for those of us working in Children’s Formation. Our numbers have jumped and continue to climb mid-year as children “age in” to our program. Numbers are up for multiple reasons. There is no doubt that the dedicated leadership from our teachers and the commitment from parents to bringing their children on a regular basis has made a huge difference. Our program is deep and substantial and that helps as well. Numbers are also up from the cross pollination between church and the preschool.
Read the complete Children’s Formation Report to the Vestry, March 2015