** NOVEMBER, 2005 **

The Back Pew

St. John’s Christian Education Newsletter

November 2005

Editor: Shirley Mustard, Christian Education Coordinator

There Was Barking and Even an Egg

          According to the count by Michael Cross, 21 dogs, 3 cats, and one hen were in attendance at the Blessing of the Animals’ Service the second Sunday in October. Maggie, who belongs to John and Marilyn Sites, turned her back to the whole crowd as if she thought all the howling dogs were ridiculous- well, until Fr. Tom came to bless her and then it was all wags.  Macaroni & Cheese, the Schmehl’s hen, was so excited with all the attention she was getting that she laid an egg. It was not golden but Chandra said it would be breakfast. If you did not make this wonderful service, which is always zooey and unpredictable, you will have another chance next October.                                                       

Time to Shop for St. Nicholas Gifts

          St. Nicholas arrives at St. John’s on Sunday, December 4, to lead the procession of children as they bring our gifts of new books, games, and toys to the altar for a blessing at the 10:30 A.M. service. These gifts will be taken to Bedford County’s Social Services for distribution to children within our community.  The Children in Bible Time for Tots as well as those in the Godly Play Atrium will be told a story about the good works of St. Nicholas. Everyone will have an opportunity to greet St. Nicholas during our coffee hour. Special thanks to Jo Bell and Bob Chevalier for creating the wonderful attire worn by St. Nicholas, to Sis Amparan who has agreed to bake those special St. Nicholas cookies for the children again this year, and to St. Nicholas for making a special appearance to our parish. All members of the parish are invited to participate in making donations to this toy drive.

From the Back Pew 

          “The Episcopal Church welcomes you to come and grow in understanding, gratitude, service, and peace.” This welcoming invitation can be found on the web site for the Episcopal Church (www.episcopalchurch.org).  I find this site to be an excellent resource for individuals, families, priests, deacons, and Christian formation teachers, as well as anyone seeking to know more about the Episcopal Church. If you have not visited this web site I encourage you to check it out for yourself.

          While looking for ways our children in the Godly Play Atrium could respond with a project after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, I searched this web site. The diocese of Louisiana had set up a post office box so letters could be sent to children still living in shelters. We spent two weeks of our work time writing notes of encouragement in our hand made cards. Making cards is indeed a small deed but certainly a way our children can demonstrate compassion and good stewardship of their time and talents. The Godly Play story for the first Sunday of our project  was Noah’s Ark so, it played right into a way to ground the project with scripture. Other helpful information I found, as suggested by members of the National Association for Episcopal Christian Formation Directors, included prayers and a sampling of scripture to use along with a list of children’s books that focus on fear and the unknown. I want to pass along some of the titles so parents and grandparents can be aware of resources available. It seems to me it is better to have already read some of these and had discussions so that when something so horrific happens and the TV is full of scenes and stories you can then refer to the book and reread the story to help reassure your child.

� And God Cried, Too: A Kid’s Book of Healing and Hope by Marc Gellman (2002: Harper Trophy) Ages 4-8

� Bad Stuff in the News: A Guide to Handling the Headlines by Marc Gellman & Thomas Hartman (2003: Sea Star Books) Ages 9-12

� When Children ask about God: A Guide for Parents Who Don’t Always Have All the Answers by Harold Kushner (1995: Schocken)

� Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss by Michaelene Munday (1998: Abbey Press) Ages 4-8

� Tear Soup by Pat Schweibert (2001: Grief Watch) Ages 9-12

� Storm Rescue by Laurie Anderson (2001: American Girl) Ages: Adolescent

� The Day it Rained Forever: A Story of the Johnstown Flood by Virginia Gross (1993: Puffin) Ages: Adolescent

� Stormwitch by Susan Vaught ((2005: Bloomsbury) Ages: Adolescent

           We all pray that children and families living in shelters will soon be located in more suitable and perhaps permanent places and if our parish is called upon to assist such a family we will meet the challenge. And may our notes of God’s love fill a child’s mind with goodness and holiness and may they know they are not alone.

Shirley Mustard