Our theme this year is Welcome! Give and Receive Gods Great Love.Today we heard the story about Abraham and Sarah welcoming three strangers and offering them hospitality. Abraham offered the strangers a place to rest, some water, some food, and he offered to wash their feet. Sarah and Abraham fixed the three visitors a delicious meal. And then the strangers had a surprise for them! They told Abraham that Sarah was going to have a baby, although she was far too old. And so Sarah laughed and said Is anything too wonderful for God!
Education
Thrill of Hope, Advent Study, Dec. 17, 2013
We had 10 people for a simple supper and a study of John A. Swanson’s 6 Advent paintings on Dec. 17, 2013. These paintings are closer to folk art with an emphasis on placing the nativity story with in the community. Mary is integrated within the life of Nazareth and Bethlehem which is turn give you a unique feel of everyday life then. Links 1. 2. 3.
Feasting with Jesus Sept. 12, 2013
Feasting on Jesus usually focuses on a scripture that illustrates the role of food in Jesus life. Picnic on the Beach is one of the more exotic entries based on around the end of Johns Gospel. John 21 9-14, the disciples meeting Jesus on the beach for a fish breakfast. The session concentrated on the fishing industry. 10 people enjoyed a wide variety of seafood, bread and a display of pictures, maps and shells from Catherine’s previous trip to the Sea of Galilee. Thanks to both Jim Heimbach and Catherine for capturing these pictures.
The Bread Retreat, Sept. 28, 2013
We had 6 people on Sept. 28, 2013 to make bread (Catherine, Barbara, Andrea, Elizabeth, Wendy and Mary Ann) and four others to watch (Crystal, Nancy, Cherry and Cookie). Five made Catherine’s braided bread and Mary Ann made a Mediterranean bread. Catherine learned this technique from her dorm mother in college and was “paying it foward.” We had food to go along including Barbara’s Cranberry-Orange Nut Bread.
Godly Play, Sept 8, 2013
Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language – parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action – helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of Gods presence in their lives. When Christian language is learned by the Godly Play approach, it is learned as a means to know God and to make meaning of our lives. This approach is quite different from the traditional model in which the teacher tells the children what they need to know. Godly Play is not about things that are that simple
Vacation Bible School – Day 3, August 14, 2013
We had several surprises from on the third night of Vacation Bible School. A new family, friends of the Wisdoms, came – they had a 5 year old child. The Rev. Amy P. Turner came along with Catherine from Fredericksburg to meet the children. She will be the children’s coordinator using the Godly Play curriculum in September. We also had some of the Long family to show up. A big surprise was the low humidity and plentiful sun in the middle of August! Wow! The younger children learned about friendship through friends that helped Paul (Aninias at Paul’s conversion, escape through a basket in Damascus) and then attached their names on a purple roller to a Biblical saying. They indicated how they sacrificed for their siblings. The older children continued with the travels of Paul. The adults completed their study of Galatians in chapter five. The younger children then had a crafts activity making colorful firecrackers
Vacation Bible School – Day 2, August 13, 2013
Vacation Bible school continued in night #2 . The organization under Becky is superb. Elizabeth provided the meal – two varieties of macaroni, “aggressive”oatmeal cookies plus barbecue, slaw and pototo salad from night #1. It was amazing to see the Apostle Paul taught on three levels. Barbara led the younger children talking about Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus , Becky the older children (Paul’s travels) and Catherine the adults (chapters 2-5 of Galatians, Paul’s justification by faith). While the children provide the spirit for the evening, the adults should be saluted for making it all happen. In addition, we have received a letter from Michael thanking St. Peter’s for funds donated to his school for the playground fund.
Vacation Bible School – Day 1, August 12, 2013
Vacation Bible School got off to a good start with 10 children and several adult leaders. Thanks to Elizabeth, Cookie, Eunice, Marion, Barbara, Kelly, Catherine and Becky for their help to make it a success. Becky was the grand coordinator. While the evening was hot no one seemed to mind. While the children gobbled down sandwiches, the adults had barbecue, slaw, potato salad and a wonderful lemon dessert Cookie made. Children were divided into two classes – one around play and games and the other around Paul. The Adults began their own study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians.