The children of Grace Links have been exploring the story of the Good Samaritan.  Our 3 - 5 years olds made a display of what a Good Samaritan does.  The display is featured in our Parish Hall.  The 6-9 group has also been involved with the Good Samaritan.  The children made a "garden" featuring hand-made flowers with centers that display the words of kindness and helpfulness that Good Samaritans offer their neighbors.

 

The 10 - 12 group made a fantastic diorama of David and Goliath using color clay.  We have some real artists in this group.  Their teacher, Phillippa seemed to enjoy the activity as well!  The following week the children played a "David & Goliath" game and explained their project to the younger group.  The older children went on to build their foundation of Chrisitiantity on a rock.  Literally.  The children were given small stones and asked to write what they thought should be a part of the Church's foundation.  These stones said "Mission Work", "Love", "Helpfulness", "Selflessness", etc.  The children also wrote their names.  Afterward the rocks were glued together to form the foundation.

 

The middle age group celebrated All Saints Day with a discussion of the meaning of the word "saints" and how we can celebrate the people past and present who serve God.  After a short rehearsal they tool their lively rendition of "The Saints Come Marching In" to the sunny parking lot and paraded back and forth.

 

Meanwhile, our youngest children took on David & Goliath by hearing the story and making their own slingshots to hit the scary Goliath who was life-size.  Their "stones" were small pieces of sponge.  They had a blast.

 

This week, the middle group will be completing their exploration of the Good Samaritan.  They will apply the Christian principles they have discussed and how they relate to their daily lives.

 

Finally, the First Annual Halloween Party was an amazing success.  The Parish Hall was packed with costumed children and adults.  The children lined up again and again for the games.  The teens created a maze on the playground and a "ghost house" which kept the squeals coming.  We were very gratified to notice that many of the children invited friends to participate and that some of the children living in the apartment building adjacent to our church came as well.  Thank you to the loving masterminds of this wonderful celebration.

 

We will soon be preparing for the Harvest Festival by making decorative crafts for the Sanctuary and by participating in this special service.

 

Grace Links is a wonderful world and we thank God for his many blessings upon our children, their families and staff.

Hello Everyone,

 

We had a long staff meeting today and many of the upcoming events will involve our children.  I am making a calendar for the rest of November and December so there won't be any gaps or question marks.

 

PREVIEW

 

This week the 6-9 and 10-12 group will be doing a bead craft together to decorate for the following Sunday's Harvest Festival.  The younger children will have a coloring project for the same purpose.  I will prep for all parties so relax.  Their artwork will be displayed throughout the Sanctuary!

 

We will be taking pre-orders for Advent Calendars that feature the days with chocolate.  This will be a fund-raiser and I would like to hand over this event to  parents not currently involved in Grace Links.  If you have suggestions, please let me know.

 

Nov. 18  The children will all be participating in the Harvest Festival.  There isn't any practice or preparation involved.  We will gather in front of the Parish Hall and then enter the back of the Sanctuary together.  After we arrive, the Harvest Festival folks will guide the children.  The Harvest Festival planners are particularly happy that all of our children will be a part of the celebration. We are just minders.  Yeah!

 

November 25 & December 2:  We will have a huge craft project.  We (I) will need to get a big cardboard box that can be made into a long boat.  We (I) will also need cardboard for cutting out oars.  The 2 older groups will create the boat and oars outside with paint.  The youngest group will color and decorate 2 banners.  I will have as much as possible pre-set because of time limitations.  December 2 we will finalize our seaworthiness and rehearse briefly.  This is all in preparation for the Bishop's visit on Dec 9.

 

December 9:  Bishop Frade will be with us for the 10:30 a.m. service and to preside over Confirmations.  The children will gather in front of the Parish Hall to receive their boat, oars and banners.  Again, we will be minders although active ones.  We will enter the Sanctuary through the front doors and come down the central aisle paddling.  The youngest children will lead with the banners.  After a few remarks from Fr. Mark and/or Bishop Frade we will lead the children out the side door to deposit the boat, paddles and banner.  The children will then return to be seated in the front pews that will be reserved.

 

As if that isn't enough, I will be sending notes home to the families letting them know that Bishop Frade will be signing the children's Bibles after mass in the Parish Hall.  Fr. Mark and Mother Cynthia will sign as well.  It will make a precious keepsake and be a milestone for our children.

 

I imagine you are wondering when we will actually attend to the season of Advent and Christmas.  I will give you more details about Advent and the Pageant at a later date.

 

Thank you all for being just wonderful.  Fr. Mark and Mo. Cynthia have been amazed by the wonderful guidance that the children receive from you.

 

God Bless,

 

Tracey