Ash Wednesday Prayer Centers

The practice of repentance and confession isn't just for adults.  Even young children can name things they do and say that keep them from being who they are supposed to be.  Beginning the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday practices is an ancient practice that has nurtured Christian formation for over a thousand years.   However, we also know that family schedules are difficult to negotiate.   So in 2015, on February 18th we will offer several self guided Ash Wednesday prayer stations. 

These centers/stations will include:

• the Burning of Sins, 
• Ashes to Go
• Biblical Story and
• Weaving of prayers.  

These stations are come-and-go as you need, they do not need to be encountered in any particular order, and they do not require the ability to read.  That said they are meaningful for people of all ages.  The prayer stations will be open after school until just before the evening liturgy.

Ash Wednesday Youth & Family Prayer Stations
3-6.30pm                     18 February 2015

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
303 Catherine Street Walla Walla, Washington
www.stpaulsww.org

Amazing Lives: Godly Play Fall Schedule

Godly Play is a method we use for our 'Sunday School' at St. Paul's.  Godly Play is rooted in Montessori principles and is focused on helping young people grow in their relationship with God and learn the spiritual practices of the church.  

Our Godly Play class is open to all 3-year-olds through 5th graders.  It meets beginning at 9.15 am on Sundays.

This fall we will be focusing our explorations on some of the amazing lives of the Christian tradition: Biblical figures such as Joseph and Ruth, and historical holy men and women such as Patrick of Ireland and Teresa of Calcutta.  

Godly Play "shows children how to create meaning with wondering questions arising from the Christian language system. The parables are especially useful to stimulate the creative process, but the sacred stories and the liturgical action lessons are also needed to provide a place of safety to explore from and return to. Contemplative silence celebrates the wholeness of the relationship with God, which is more than language can articulate."

Berryman, Jerome W. 
Teaching Godly Play: How to Mentor the Spiritual Development of Children

Sept 7	No Class Yet….Ice Cream Social After the 10.30a Liturgy
14	The Great Family
21	Abraham
28	Sarah
Oct 5	Joseph
12	Jonah
19	No Sunday School due to Convention
26	Patrick
Nov 2	Julian
9	Teresa of Calcutta
16	Apostles
23	(TBA)…Advent Architects after the 10.30a Liturgy
30	Advent
Dec 7	Isaiah
14	Ruth
21	Mary
28	No Sunday School due to Winter Break

Camp Cross Camper-Ships!

Why Send Your Child to Camp Cross?  The American Camping Association offers these research backed outcomes and benefits of camp:


Social Skills Development

• Leadership
• Communication
• Participation

Self-respect and Character Building

• Responsibility
• Resourcefulness
• Resilience

Community Living/Service Skills

• Caring
• Fairness
• Citizenship
• Trustworthiness

We would add to this 'camps-wide' list the blessings of immersion in an open and affirming Christian community, and learning the patterns of daily liturgical prayer and Christ-like service. 
St. Paul's is glad to offer significant assistance in the form of a 'Camper-Ship' fund for those desiring to attend Camp Cross.  However this year we have a very firm early June deadline.  This is the form.