What's on tap for February 2010:

Challenging Empire is the theme of this four week rotation which is based on the United Church of Canada Resource Children Challenging Empire (1997). Each Sunday the children gather in the chapel for opening worship.  This is followed by a check-in time and introduction to the theme of Empire in the classroom setting.  Here the children will learn a story and create an artistic response. The sessions close with a discussion on 'Empire Thinking' and 'Disciple Thinking.'

Here is a brief Summary of each rotation module:

What is Empire?

1.  Explore definitions and alternative language

2.  Story:  The Emperor's New Clothes (available at

     http://hca.gilead.org.il/emperor.html)

3.  Wonder ?'s

4.  Luke:2:1-3 Explore the contrasting setting of Jesus' birth.

5.  Artistic Response:  Create Magic Seeing Glasses

6.  Disciples Today

The Empire and Me: Saying No

1.   Explore how empire affects us personally and how we can share ideas about         how to help each other speak out for truth.

2.   Story of Vashti in Esther  1:5-20   also in Ralph Milton "The Family 

     Story Bible (Northstone, 1997)

3.  Wonder ?'s

4.  Explore the Secret Symbol and/or dramatize the story with costumes

5.  Disciples Today

Empire and Family/School Life

1.  Explore how empire affects home and school life.  Share ideas about how we are bullied by advertising and share ideas about how we can make choices according to our own conscience.

2.   Share the story: To Be "Good"

3.  Wonder ?'s

4.   Artistic Response - Commercial Charades

5.   Disciples Today

Empire and Our World

1.  Explore how children in the world live and learn about fair trade chocolate.

2.  Share the Story Stop! Don't Eat Me by Naomi Poole (PeaceDiviners,2004)

3.  Wonder ?'s

4.   Artistic Response-making a Parrot

5.   Disciples Today Discussion

Send your notes by clicking on either Rev. Mary or Rev. George.

Growing Together

In the Way of God