After two years of no in-person Christian Formation for children and youth, the program re-emerged on March 6, 2022, the first Sunday in Lent, with one class for children, beginning at age 3, taught by Parkie Rice and Sandy Smith, and a second class for youth, beginning at age 11, taught by Ellen Griffith and Linda McMahon. There was a potential for 11 children, one of whom was new to the parish, and 5 youth. As of May 8, the class for children has averaged five and the older class only one. The lessons and crafts for the children focused on Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Jesus as The Good Shepherd.
Months prior to the re-emergence, the Rector assembled a team of individuals to discuss ways to keep families engaged during the pandemic. The team of Emily Klotz, Vestry liaison at that time, Linda McMahon, Parkie Rice, and Sandy Smith worked in coordination with the Rector and Gizelle Moran, an experienced former Christian Formation leader, who served as a part time paid consultant, meeting periodically by Zoom.
In November we hosted an outdoor S’mores event. In December we hosted a Parent Day Out, which included a family from out of our area. On Christmas Eve we were able to offer an in-person children’s Christmas Pageant again, coordinated by Nancy Beach and Sandy Smith. On Shrove Tuesday, March 1, the children and youth gathered with the many adults for a wonderful pancake supper, followed by coloring of Alleluia flags for burial in the Alleluia box, to be opened on Easter. The children proudly waved their flags that Sunday whenever they heard the word Alleluia. There were lots of opportunities as the choir gloriously sang the Hallelujah Chorus.
Even during the two years of no in-person Christian Formation, the children and youth were not forgotten. After getting over the shock of not being able to convene and worship in person, we compiled and delivered Advent bags and Lenten boxes, and sent Valentine and birthday cards.
We are so glad to be back! Thanks be to God!!
Originally published in St. John’s Newsletter, June 2022.