Nursery | Atrium | Church School | Youth | Cooking with Erin | ACW | Speciality Programs

PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES

The Deanery of Carleton Ash Wednesday Activity Day
Date: Wednesday, February 22nd 2012
Program: 8am to 4pm
Pageant and Family Worship: 4pm.

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOUND HERE

Four parishes* in the Deanery of Carleton are participating together on Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 in a program for school children (K-12). Absent from their regular schools, children will enjoy a full day of learning, fun and faith development. This Ash Wednesday program continues the practice of a number of participating parishes in our Deanery. For more information about the day contact your own parish priest or church school coordinator.

For ease of administration, CCBC, the location for the day is providing web site space for registration.

*Christ Church Bells Corners, Good Shepherd Barrhaven, St. James Manotick, Holy Trinity North Gower

PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES

Adult Christian Education

Throughout the year, a number of opportunities for adult Christian education are provided at CCBC. These programs can run from three to ten weeks in duration and are designed by parish clergy to reflect the many ways adults learn.

In the past, these programs have included elements such as guest lecturers, videos, small group discussions, shared meals, singing and worship, creative workshops, bible studies, and plenary banter with parish clergy. Watching the Lychgate (our news letter), the calendar of events, and the weekly bulletin easily keeps folks apprised of upcoming and current adult Christian education offerings.

CHILDREN

Church School News: December 2011 Nursery

We welcome all children, birth to age three and their parents to our nursery. We have strived to create a warm, safe and comfortable environment for the youngest members of our parish.

The Nursery opens at 9:30am on Sundays and supervision begins at 9:45. All children in the nursery will join the congregation and their parents at the Peace as we celebrate the Eucharist as a whole church. At the Peace, parents can choose to meet their children at the nursery or at the back of the church.

The nursery is staffed by parish youth who have been carefully chosen for their skills and talents to work with this age group. The youth have received training and orientation in the areas of: child care, communications, play and safety. The youth are supervised by the Church School Coordinator and all teachers on duty. Parents are always welcome to stay with their children.

•   Click HERE to fill in our online Registration Form


The Atrium

The Atrium is a special room dedicated to prayer and the oral teaching of young children. This teaching, the catechesis of the Good Shepherd, is based on sacred scripture and liturgy specifically for children 3-6 years of age. The children come in to the specially prepared environment called the "Atrium". In a peaceful setting, the child and catechist listen, reflect and pray together in harmony with the natural slow rhythm of the child.

The Atrium is a community in which children and adults live together a religious experience, which deepens their participation in the wider community of the church. The themes presented in the Atrium are taken from the Bible, liturgy, prayer and sacraments. Beautiful handmade materials and models accompany each presentation. These materials act as an aid to the child's personal reflection. The life in the Atrium follows the liturgical year, with special celebrations at Christmas, Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost.

Catechists, those adults who guide the children in the Atrium, have studied the spirituality of the child, the theology behind the presentations, and basic Montessori principles of learning. We encourage all parents to come and observe in the Atrium. Please speak to one of the Atrium leaders, Susan Whitton or Leah Lindquist, to make an appointment to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

"The atrium offers a unique faith experience for children, parents and teachers. Making all things church part of the Atrium allows for a familiarity with the traditional liturgy that I have seldom seen in children so young. This experience should be embraced and celebrated not only by those in the Atrium but by the whole congregation." Cathy Seguin, Church School Teacher.


Church School

Children in grades two to eight follow the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum. This program is team-taught by well-trained teachers commissioned for this vital ministry. Children are divided into three classes; grades two and three, grades four and five and grades six to eight. Our weekly programs are enriched with monthly group activities, pageants and special activity days to celebrate our Christian festivals.

Youth in high school are encouraged to continue their faith journey by joining the servers' guild, the senior youth group and helping with special Church events.

• Click HERE to fill in our online Registration Form
• Church School Letter from Rev. Hobbs - September 2011
• Important Dates: 2011

Youth

CCBC makes youth a priority in parish life. Our young people are involved in many different ways as our church strives to be a safe and open place that our youth can call home.

We are committed to the idea of integrating youth into the overall life of our parish. Our young people are leaders in worship, especially as altar servers. As well, our Junior Choir includes many of our youth who are mentors to younger choristers. Our nursery is a finely-tuned machine and a ministry of our youth to young families. At any given parish activity - be it an outreach project, a clean-up day, a hospitality event or the annual bazaar or garage sale - our youth are visible and working side-by-side with their parents, other adults and younger children. The parish also helps our high school youth find roles within the parish to assist them in meeting their quota for volunteer hours.

Many of our youth gather regularly for Cooking with Erin (see below). As well, on a regular basis, youth are invited to gather with our Rector, Peter John, usually once a month on Sunday mornings after the 10 a.m. service, for activities that take many forms including outings, Christian nurture, games and always food (usually pizza). These Youth Gatherings, as well as Cooking with Erin, are for young people in grades 6 to 12. Older and younger youth have chosen to be together reflecting the overall spirit of CCBC as a parish family and mirroring the principle of integration. CCBC strives to be a fun and safe environment for youth to explore their faith, their community, and social issues in the world around them.

The youth at CCBC prove that there is a lot of fun to be had while serving the world that God loves.


Fourteen young candidates were confirmed on Sunday, Sept. 25 2010.
Pictured with the group are Bishop John & the Ven. Peter John Hobbs, rector.


Cooking with Erin

The Cooking with Erin program provides a fun, creative and unique culinary experience for youth in grades 6 to 12. Teens learn basic techniques, kitchen safety, table etiquette, how to follow recipe directions - even how to clean up after themselves! Once the meal is prepared, emphasizing the importance of sharing food with family and friends, teens sit down together and enjoy the fruits (veggies, and meat) of their labor, while enjoying time with their peers. Learning early on about eating well and trying new things, teens feel a sense of accomplishment, develop an appreciation for food, and have some great life skills to use in the future. So far, menus have included: Baked Salmon, Eggs Benedict, "Moules et Frites", Thai Shrimp and Pasta, and beef tacos with freshly made salsa and guacamole. CCBC youth are encouraged to bring friends and family to Cooking with Erin and share this interesting program. Upcoming Events


A.C.W. | St. Andrew's Group

The Anglican Church Women (A.C.W.) has a long and rich history in the Anglican Church of Canada. Here at CCBC our A.C.W. is locally called the St. Andrew's Group. Meeting once a month in the afternoon of the third Wednesday (usually), the St. Andrew's Group begins its time together with a little business and then moves on to a presentation by a guest speaker followed by refreshments and fellowship. The ministry of the A.C.W. continues from meeting to meeting as the bonds of affection continue throughout the months. And, the St. Andrew's Group works diligently throughout the year to compile Bales for the North; parcels of new clothing, knitted materials for all ages, church school supplies and much more for our brothers and sisters in the churches of Northern Canada. The St. Andrew's Group continues to welcome new members into their life of serving, learning and fellowship.


Altar Guild

The guild is a ministry whose purpose is to support and operate under the direction of the clergy. Their work enhances elements of the liturgy by ensuring that the altar is arranged correctly and reverently for the Eucharist in both the chapel and main Church. This includes changing the colour of the hangings appropriate to the Church calendar or for weddings and funerals; beautifying the sacristy by arranging and placing flowers on Sunday mornings, and other celebratory occasions.

All guild members attend Church regularly. They undertake their duties humbly and with little fanfare, knowing that the congregation expects everything will be in its proper place at the right time.

Of particular note, CCBC's altar guild distinguishes itself by providing and arranging flowers for those parishioners who choose to hold their weddings in our parish. This service is offered at a reasonable price.