Children’s News, Lisa Massar
This year’s Woodland Children’s Committee has been guided by the following prayer based on “Prayer for Loving Children” and “Daily Prayer” by author/theologian Cole Arthur Riley:
God our maker,
We want to love well.
That we have been entrusted to care for children
Is a responsibility not lost on us.
We have agonized over the gap between who we are and
who they need us to be…
Gather community around us for accountability and insight.
May any failure we feel be met with compassion.
And — the same patience we pray to have with our children,
may we also have with ourselves (and each other).
Protect these sacred bonds, God.
Keep (our children) near enough that
we will always hear them when they need us,
But never so close that we smother or suffocate...
That as we raise and teach them,
we would learn and grow from them as well,
As we bear witness to their wonder, curiosity, and wisdom.
As we work together,
May the guardian in you protect us.
May the child in you delight in us.
May the friend in you challenge us…
May the mystery of you liberate us.
Amen.
The coming weeks hold much excitement and promise for our children as we look forward to some new faces and spaces!
Start Up Sunday, August 18th — Our dedicated teachers are preparing to welcome their young class members:
Toddlers/2s — Teacher Kala Collins
3s through Kinder — Teachers Beverly Dugas, Lisa Massar
1st/2nd Grade — Teachers Linda Taylor, Cameron Taylor
3rd through 5th Grade — Teachers Erica Hanchey, Kieran Shinkins
Blessing of the Backpacks — Children are invited to bring their backpacks to worship this coming Sunday, where they’ll receive a special benediction for the upcoming school year.
Micah 6:8 — What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. This familiar, meaningful scripture will serve as the coming year’s emphasis for our Children and Youth Ministries. Summer camp experiences began the focus, which will be deepened by Lisa and Jana as they lead our young people during the next months.
Thank you for the constant joy we find in watching our Woodland children let their lights and the light of Jesus shine!
Lisa Massar