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Seasonal Events
Lent, Holy Week and Easter
 A whole year of Christian education in 2 hours! This wonderful annual event for children and families offers teachings about the life and ministry of Jesus, Palm Sunday, and the difficult questions of Christ's death and promise of new life -- all in a loving context of art-making, song, re-enactment, Q&A interactive, and group projects to anticipate Easter. Highly recommended for children ages 4-9.
Saturday, March 20 on the 4th floor of the community house from 2:30-4:30. (links to seasonal events)
Home & Art & Faith:
The work of spiritual growth happens in church, at home, at work, and on the street -- essentially everywhere. New studies show that the dinner table in the family home is a key location for children's spiritual growth. Part of the mission of Children, Youth & Family Ministries is to offer families opportunities to sit down with their children at home and explore and reflect on various aspects of our Christian Faith.
"NAIL THIS."
Lenten Art Exhibit
For
the Lenten Arts Exhibit this year, six families chose the ancient
symbol of the mandala as the basis for a conversation about the life,
ministry, and death of Jesus. The resulting mandalas on display in the
cloister attest to the fact that beautiful things can happen at the
intersection of home and art and faith.
We invite you to view and meditate upon these 3-D mandala paintings which will be on display in the Cloister of St. Bart's during Lent and Holy Week. These brilliant works are inspired by parent/s sitting down at home and discussing the journey of Jesus' ministry and death with their young and elementary age children. Artist and Communications Director, Roz Dimon, in collaboration with Kathy Bozzuti-Jones, will display a collage of digital photography and new digital media on Easter Day -- in a graphic turn from passion nails of earthly power to nails of Kingdom glory.
[Mandala created by the Jackson family, 2010]
LABYRINTH WALK
On Sunday, March 21, after the 9:00 and 11:00 services, parishioners and friends are invited to walk a contemporary Labyrinth in a meditative, inspirational and multi-sensory exploration of faith, designed and built entirely by Youth @ the Center. This year, the Labyrinth is designed as a meditation to increase global awareness with a focus on disaster relief and, ultimately, empowerment and hope. A voluntary collection will be taken at the end to benefit ERD's efforts for relief in Haiti and around the globe.. This year, the Labyrinth is designed as a meditation to increase global awareness with a focus on disaster relief and, ultimately, empowerment and hope. A voluntary collection will be taken at the end to benefit ERD's efforts for relief in Haiti and around the globe.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
Using a popular children's book, such as The Runaway Bunny, clergy illustrate for children ages 2-5 God's unconditional love. This is a lovely way for parents to share an uplifting and age-appropriate Holy Week learning experience with their children.
EASTER DRAMA WALK
 Imagine walking the road to Emmaus
with the disciples after finding Jesus’ tomb empty... What did they discover about their hearts -- and his Presence? During the sermon on Easter Day at the 9am, 11am and 1pm services, children of all ages are led on “The Easter Walk,” down into the memorial chapel, out onto Park Avenue. Meet the disciples “in person.”
[Thanks to The Living Museum Co.]
A LOOK BACK: Advent 2009
ADVENT WREATH-MAKING
Sunday, Nov 22 from 10-10:50 parents
are invited to assemble an Advent wreath with their families. There
are enough supplies for #40 families. $10 donation per wreath. Please
enjoy this wonderful family preparation for celebrating Advent in your
home. Weekly Advent Table Prayers provided.
ADVENT I
Sunday, Nov. 29
 This Sunday we focus on the first part of our multi-layered journey into THE GIFT: How
do we teach children the difference between what they want and what
they need? How do we teach the difference between what society seduces
them into wanting and what we, value as a Christian family? How much
is too much? Something is pushing, pushing us to buy. How do we resist?
(click image at right to further explore)
ADVENT II
Sunday, December 6
 This Sunday we focus on the second part of our multi-layered journey into THE GIFT: And
there is the window shopping... the commercial kind of beauty; the
children see Frosty and the children see Rudolph. Can we create a
space to see the Christ child who is coming to us?
(click image at right to further explore)
ADVENT III
 This Sunday we focus on the third part of our multi-layered journey into our art offering called, THE GIFT: Window shopping and store signage everywhere... The children are beginning to bubble with excitement about Santa, counting down the days, as the days grow colder. How can we wrap ourselves in love and in the warmth of the Christ child already born in our hearts?
HOLIDAY TREE ORNAMENT-MAKING
Sunday, Dec 13 from 10-10:50
, parents
are invited to create a host of Christmas ornaments with their children
(of any age) to decorate the "Children's Tree" located in the cloister
hallway. This is an especially good event for inviting friends. The
St. Bart's Children's Tree delights children and visitors alike with
its unique and colorful ornaments during the Christmas season. (Pine
tree compliments of our local Boy Scout troop.)
ADVENT IV
 Ben
Franklin comes to mind: "Joy is not in things; it is in us. Joy is not
in things; it is in us. Joy is not in things; it is in us. Joy is not
in things; it is in us." Christmas is not in things, it is the light
within us.
CHRISTMAS
 "As all the wise look for your star, so I
must follow where you are; as you are light so must I be, as you are
peace, be peace in me."
(Shirley Erena Murray)
CHRISTMAS EVE Family-friendly Mini-Pageant and Eucharist
Sunday, Dec 24 at 4pm is a highlight
of the Children, Youth & Family Ministry at St. Bart's. Children
and friends, who have attended the required rehearsals offer a
mini-pageant that is incorporated into the Christmas service. Children
are narrators, players, and dancers; youth are acolytes and players and
readers -- and the sermon involves visiting children as well, as they
come up front to sing and to receive a special gift.
[Pageant rehearsals (for children ages 4-11) will be held on Dec 6, 13, and 20, 12:30-2pm. The dress rehearsal is on Dec 24 at 2pm.]
If you are not a St. Bart's parishioner and would like to involve your child, please contact Kathy Bozzuti-Jones as soon as possible before Dec 6.
Summer Artists in Residence Program
We continue education for children during the summer with this exciting program that pairs children (and their parents!) with top creative talent from New York City, the purpose being to inspire creativity and the appreciation of it from the earliest stages of development. More here.
Holy Week Workshop
 This moving, day-long event for children and families follows the road from Palm Sunday to Easter. Participants move from room to room to experience first-hand the arrival in Jerusalem, washing of feet, Last Supper, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and the Resurrection. Each moment is acted out and interpreted through story, art, prayer, and song; a wonderful way to discover what makes Holy Week holy.
Christmas
We have a special Child-Friendly Service on Christmas Eve Day, December 24th at 4pm which includes the Nativity Story. Below is a look back at Christmas 2009 where we appeared on the front page of The New York Times!
SEE DETAILS ON ABOVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT FAMILY CALENDAR |
