Children and Youth

Goodbye...

 

   When I joined Trinity’s staff in July of 2006, I had been a mom, a preschool teacher and a parent-child play facilitator.  I knew little of the Episcopal liturgies, of Godly Play or the actual job details expected of me as the new Director of Youth Ministries.  The past five years have been spent: networking with colleagues, far and near; going to worship meeting and learning what is (or is not) stated in the BCP as being part of the “rubrics”; learning how best to communicate with parents and kids; discovering what NOT to plan for an activity; contemplating how best to program Sunday mornings in order to maximize the one hour we have set aside to connect with children and youth in order to help them build their faith life.  Every week I have learned something new about:  myself; the Episcopal Church; the good folks of Trinity.

 

     As I leave Trinity’s staff, I am so grateful for all the lessons I have learned and I would like to thank so many people for making my experience a memorable one.  First, thanks to Mother Laura’s gentle leadership, I have begun to learn about how to be a quiet evangelist.  If it weren’t for Mother Hillary’s generosity in sharing her knowledge of all things Episcopal I would still be mixing up “liturgy” and “lectionary”.  You should all to know that Gaby Whittier is the backbone of Trinity’s daily operation:  mailings, bulletins and newsletters.  It’s not only what she does, it is also what she knows:  who is using what room on what day, how to use the copier, everything worship or website related.  She has truly helped me to become more organized.  Amazing, really.  Jim Probst and Dennis Perkins are the security and cleanliness hub of our church.  Thank you both for your daily work keeping us safe and free of grime!  And, while I don’t work directly with them, Marcie Lightwood and Deacon Liz have always been willing to be a sounding board and a resource to me and for that, I am truly grateful.  Last but not at all least, I thank the wonderful, awesome volunteers who make up the teachers, assistants and the members of the Committee for Children and Youth.   Because of these fine people, the programs at Trinity have been steadily increasing in both numbers and closeness of fellowship.  Thank you all for a memorable, fruitful five years as Director of Youth Ministries at Trinity!

 

Blessings,

 

Ellyn Siftar

Thank You



 

² Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. ³ It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

 ⁵ Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. ⁶ They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. ⁷ It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. ⁸ We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.

-from a letter to John, the evangelist, to Gaius

 

     When I read these words, I am reminded of the dear souls who have dedicated hours and hours of their lives to teaching Trinity’s children.   Regardless of whether they know the children or not, they are committed to passing on their faith and love of Christ. Their hospitality rivals that of the best restaurant where from the minute you entered the door until the time you leave, you feel honored, nourished and special.  I can only imagine that the children of Trinity feel much the same.   I am so blessed to work with folks who learn a new story/craft every week, juggle their personal lives around to make space for the lessons and events, and manage the classroom so gracefully and with such purpose. When you see these folks, thank them for their work.

     Thank you, wonderful teachers, for all that you do, visible and invisible, to pass along the light of Christ to our young people.  Many blessings to you all for a summer full of renewal and refreshment!

Mother Hillary Raining Dawn Winterburn Janice Squires Siobhan Ardizzone Kathleen Knaack Ken Robertson Lynn Tax Mike Tax Monica Albertson Christine Martochhio

Mark Freeh Steve Filko Andrew McIntosh Ken Raining Paige Mattke Sally McIntosh Fr. Cliff Carr Deacon Liz Miller Karen Ernst

 

In Gratitude,

 

Ellyn Siftar

Director of Youth Ministries

 

Learning to Trust

 

    

      When I listen to children in the Godly Play room tell me about their week, I have a difficult time not wanting to stop the world and just continue to listen.  There never seems to be enough time to just sit back and talk about where we have been this week. 

     During a conversation one Sunday not long ago, my aunt was talking about how she didn't think it was appropriate that there be any talking or winking or smiling between people during the service of the Eucharist, how it was a distraction from the sacrament.  While I agree that the sanctuary is holy and should be respected and honored as a sacred place, I also know that this may be the only time during the week to see my wonderful friends and neighbors.  Our frenetic pace, the distance between our homes, our other commitments all conspire against us and keep us apart every other day but Sunday.  And how I love to be fed the body and blood of Christ and as I am coming back to my seat, see the look of recognition on the baby of a special friend who reaches out to shake my hand.  So, when the kids in my classroom want to talk about birthday parties, family vacations, pets, the death of a grandparent, I remind myself that this is one of the most valuable lessons I can teach-how to listen to one another.  I slow down.  I try not to think about the thousands of things I have to do before the day ends.  I am fully present for their musings, wondering and emotions.  This is how they learn to trust on another and me:  to speak honestly and know they are heard. 
     For myself, I have acknowledge that one morning a week is not enough time to spend with my dear friends at Trinity and I have had the priviledge of starting a community garden in my yard so that we can enjoy each other's company, let the kids run wild and till the earth.  Love, compost and company:  It keeps me connected.  And I learn how to trust the earth, the sun, then rain and my friends to help me create an oasis in the middle of the city!

Scattered Like Dandelion Seed in the Wind

     I must admit to being a little distracted for the past two weeks:  fresh air, warm and golden sunshine, and the beckoning garden have kept me away from catching you all up here.  The dandelions seem to have exploded in a day's time and I was about to admit defeat until I discovered that they are the favorite food of Guinea pigs.  To my delight, I can't pick it fast enough for our little guy.  So now I'm off to water the trees fellow parishioner "Farmer" Tax planted for me:two apples and a dogwood and check in on my mason bees.  I'm much happier when I can tend to something that's actually in my garden plan!

     Well, we've been sowing the seeds of last fall's harvest in the classrooms at Trinity.  I really amazed at how the 2 and 3 year-olds have learned the story of the resurrection.  The Godly Play rooms are full of new stories and good friends.  For the Juniors, this class is the beginning of their journey to owning their faith.  If you're down near the CAYA room, stop in and admire the thoughtful (and thought-provoking) images the older teens have created this year. 

     It's hard to believe that there are only three more classes before the end of the Sunday school year.  But, it's not the end of the fun! Before summer is here, we have several events to look forward to together.  First is this Sunday's Children's service.  Second, the Parish Picnic on May 22nd.  And, after the school year ends but before the "official" first day of summer we celebrate the RED day of Pentecost on June 12th.  If you have a child in one of the Godly Play classrooms, you can be sure they will not want to miss this day with it's fire and spirit! 

 

 

 

Come to the Table

Many blessing abound at Trinity.  Every Sunday is a gift from the children to the teacher.  And sometimes something happens that just causes me to stop, to pause and gift thanks to God for a special moment.  The past several weeks have been especially memorable since parishioner Bob Lawrence donated a handmade altar, pulpit and credence shelf to the Primary Godly Play classroom.  These special pieces have become the hot spot in the class.  Every child has taken a turn to be the priest, sometimes three at a time.  I wish I had a picture of when the three were posed in prayer-heads bowed and hands together-for me as I re-entered the classroom-beyond precious! 

Many thanks to Bob for providing the stage for these countless blessed priestly plays!

setting the table

Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate!

Looking back over the past four weeks since the beginning of Lent, there have been Hershey miniatures, kisses, m and m's,  and chocolate covered coffee beans!  We've looked at what we often take for granted (the life and death of Christ), traveled to the rainforest to where the cocao trees grow (and where Christians grow-IN CHURCH!) and how being different can be a blessing (our gifts, like the gift of chocolate).  What will tomorrow bring?!

In Rainbows

 

 

Love is a rainbow.
I wonder
If the colors are God’s pure light
Refracted through
The different dancing atoms of creation
Or if love
Comes sparkling from the hands of God
In varied hues
Scattered with wild and wonderful purpose?

 
Love is a rainbow.
I wonder
If God’s smiling promise
After the flood
To cleanse our souls and the world
With Jesus’ tears and baptismal waters
Rather than a flood of wrath
Means that every mini-rainbow caught
In a drop of water in the summer sun
Or after a spring shower
Is love made visible?

Love is a rainbow.
I wonder
if living into God’s promise
is like living on a rainbow
or like having all of heaven’s hues
poured into our hearts.

-Kathleen Knaack, 2011

used with permission

NO chocolate/KNOW chocolate

 

This is Trinity's first ever Family Worship series for Lent and we can't be more excited! 

A diverse group of folks gathered on Ash Wednesday to share a simple meal of soup and bread before the Family Ash Wednesday service.  We talked about how to make soup the easy way, why children like to play under tables and had an opportunity to learn a little more about each other.  The service followed the Book of Common Prayer service for Ash Wednesday, with a twist. 

It began with a simple song while creating the altar that reflects the teaching of the day. 

After the readings of the Word, Mother Hillary introduced the theme for the series, Know Chocolate for Lent, along with the importance of the journey of Lent.  Then came the imposition of Ashes while kneeling, the Litany of Penance, and ended with chocolate for all!

You are welcome to join us every Wednesday in Lent for Supper at 6 and Worship at 7.

 

Fresh

Lent is traditionally a time to give up material "thing" in order to come closer to God on the journey to the Resurrection.  Some people refrain from eating meat.  Some from sweets or fatty foods.  Some from facebook or tv or alcohol or... But why?  How?

This year, Trinity's Alternative Worship Committee plans to give a fresh look at what Lent means.  What coming closer to God means.  What being in community means.  What being real means.

Join us every Wednesday during Lent for a special Family Service (read: casual and accessible) beginning with a light soup dinner in the Library at 6.  Then stay for worship at 7 in the Chapel.

Real, fresh, and refreshing.

Bishop's Annual Visit

  This past Sunday was quite a special day:  four baptisms;  four confirmations; and a reception!  Bishop Jack Cronenberger was at Trinity for the Annual Visit resplendent in robes of fire and descending dove.  Bagpipes led the choir in and out of the sanctuary along with the amazing Ron Speir at the organ.  And to top it all off, a fabulous spread of food in the Parish Hall following the 10:30 service.  Thank you to all who helped to make it such a memorable morning.  Pictures to follow.