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Children’s

Adult

Youth

Bible Studies

Children's Education

Sunday School Rally this Sunday!

A few words about work, play & faith in God

Today, with so much seemingly up for grabs in the Episcopal Church at large, it’s important for us to name what it is we hold onto at all times and in all places: to name the heart of our faith, so beautifully evident in the stories we tell, the prayers we say, the songs we sing, the worship we practice, and the questions we ask. Shoot—engage all of that in good faith, and you’ll know why we call ourselves Episcopalians.

It’s not because we have all the answers. The good Lord knows good and well we don’t have that. What we have instead is faith. And that’s why we have Sunday school: a community of faith and a place to engage our questions.

Sunday school resumes this Sunday with a rally. At 9 a.m. in the Parish Hall, all ages will gather to hear about what’s being offered in our various classes this year, and then we’ll depart to attend those same classes. In the coming weeks, I’ll be writing more about the various classes offered, exploring the heart of what it we’re about on Sundays between nine and ten in the morning in the hope of encouraging you to join us.

For the third year, our curriculum for young children, ages three through fifth grade, is Godly Play. This powerful curriculum—shot through with wonder, mystery, and truth—follows the Church Year and engages the great stories of the Bible. This year we have added stories of Paul’s Journeys, the Old Testament prophets, and Jesus’s miracles.

Designed by the great Jerome Berryman, Godly Play is my favorite curriculum bar none. It beats anything else I’ve come across for adults or children. It engages both the mystery of God present in all our questions, and the comfort of God present in Holy Scripture, and manages to do all this in an environment of worship.

As Berryman put it, “Godly Play is organized to follow the pattern used in worship. The classical shape of the Holy Eucharist is to enter, get ready, listen to God’s Word, respond, prepare for the feast, share the feast, receive a blessing, and go out. This is the same pattern used in the Godly Play classroom. Of course, the educational setting of Godly Play is not literally the Holy Eucharist—the Eucharist usually takes place when the larger church community is present. What happens in Godly Play, however, is an indirect preparation for the Eucharist, but it is still real.”

If you have young children, please make every effort to bring them to church for Sunday school. Your children will engage important work there in the spirit of play. And make no mistake: their work with the stories of God’s people is entirely necessary to the kingdom we call this world. In learning about Noah and Moses and Jesus, they learn who they are, who made them, and who loves them. And it is real.

I am always on the lookout for new teachers. Not only because we need them, but also because I believe its work that is good for those who do it. Our teaching staff this year will include the help of Susan Henderson, Laurie Carmichael, Tammy Brown, Chris Germond, Dewane Pitman, Sharon Lewis Saliba, Karen Jackson, J. Wiley, Caroline Glover, and Cathy Orr. If you’re interested in helping us, or in learning more about Godly Play, please call me at the Church or by cell, 618-1344. —Lauren Flowers

Adult Education

Soul Studies (Parish Hall Parlor): This class will examine The Soul’s Religion: Cultivating a Profoundly Spiritual Way of Life by Thomas Moore. Lauren Flowers will facilitate discussion based on the readings from Moore and others of interest to the class. The class will explore the ways we can develop a deeper spiritual understanding of the whole of life.

Youth Education

JR. HIGH (6th-8th grades): All Jr. High are encouraged to come to the Jr. High Room upstairs for fun, faith and fellowship.

SR. HIGH (9th-12th grades): All Sr. High are encouraged to find one of the other offerings for Sunday School, or to meet for conversation in the Sr. High room. From time to time, Sharon Taylor will be bringing her ideas to Sr. EYC on Sun. nights when more folks can enjoy her gifts.

Bible Studies

Wednesday Night Study Group

The Wednesday Night Study Group will meet on Wednesday, August 23rd. We will begin with a video titled Sacred Stories, featuring Frederick Buechner. James Carroll, and Maya Angelou.

This study group is open to all adults in the parish and meets every Wednesday at the same time. We’ve got some great plans for the year ahead, in particular a deep look at what it means to call ourselves Anglicans. Look for more information in the coming weeks. Also, if you have ideas about our adult programs, please call Lauren Flowers at the Church or by cell, 618-1344

Check out this page and the Events/News page for detailed information about educational opportunities and the teachers for each Sunday.

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity

205 Holly Lane

Dothan, Alabama 36301

334-793-7616

nativity@centurytel.net