| From our Church School Director: March 2010 |
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We welcome Joanna Philley as Director of the Church School. She has been assisting Jen DeWeerth, our Minister to Children, for several months, and now steps up as director. We will continue the Learning Cycles.
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Dear St. James Families,
During this unit, we will be exploring The Mystery of Easter. Our hope is that by exploring some of the emotions and events experienced by Christ, your children will be better able to understand the celebration of Easter. We will be traveling together the Lenten journey which leads to the cross and ends with the glorious impossible:the empty tomb.
Much of what we focus on this unit is rather dark, and sometimes we wonder how to present such things to our children. We will tell the story as authentically and simply as possible.
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Here is an outline/schedule:
Feb 28: Jesus is helped by his Friends Drama Workshop)
Stations: 4, 5,6 and 8 Teacher: Blair Jones
March 7: Jesus Falls Down Art Workshop) |
Stations:3, 7, and 9 Teacher: Sue Pinto Assistant; Cynthia Williams
March 14: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross (Story Workshop)
Stations: 11 and 12 Teacher: Blair and Gordon Jones
March 21: Jesus is Laid in the Tomb (Kitchen Workshop)
Stations: 13 and 14 Teacher: Cynthia Williams Assistant: Sue Pinto
**All children will be in one group for this cycle**
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At the heart of this story are many complex emotions. Children can understand most of the emotions of this journey - fear, disappointment, compassion, betrayal, surprise and most of all love. We must trust that God will work in wonderful and mysterious ways to be more and more revealed to them as they walk this journey.
Although we have shaped this unit around a variation of the traditional Stations of the Cross, the children may not experience the stations in order and they will not experience every station. However, you can talk with your children at home about the events leading up to Easter.
As you can see, we end this unit with Jesus' death, although we touch on the empty tomb during the final workshop (Kitchen). Although this leaves the story unfinished, it was an intentional choice to be faithful to the observance of Lent. However, we sincerely hope that you will finish the story with your family during an exuberant Easter celebration.
If you have any questions, concerns, and/or comments please feel free to talk with me about them. I am look forward to working with you and your children. Thanks for all your input and support.
Many Blessings, Joanna
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