Church School: June 2010 Newsletter
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.
▪ To Registration form
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.
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.
▪ Church School Registration Form 2009/2010
▪ Church School Letter 2009/2010
▪ Important Dates 2009/2010
▪ Nursery Registration Form 2009/2010
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.
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
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Caring for the pastoral needs of our community is critical. Our clergy and Pastoral Care Team minister to people in crisis as well as those with searching questions - through sacramental rites, spiritual direction, palliative care, friendship and prayer. Special attention is also given to the frail and isolated; a ministry that includes frequent visits, Sunday morning drives, a tape ministry, and a monthly service for seniors.
The Pastoral Care Team receives ongoing training and operates under the supervision and guidance of our clergy. As needs are discerned and with the consent of the person receiving care from team members, clergy enable and monitor pastoral care assignments. In addition, four of our team members are associated with visiting at the Queensway-Carleton Hospital, carrying out their duties on behalf of the parish as well as benefiting the hospital. In addition, other members of our team have received training in palliative care and are available to offer this spiritual ministry. The work of the Pastoral Care Team is, of necessity, confidential and carried out quietly, respecting the privacy and dignity of those served.
Should you know of a need in the parish that could be addressed or supported by pastoral care, please contact parish clergy.
With seven retirement homes within its parish boundaries as well as many seniors living independently in the surrounding neighborhoods, CCBC is called to a comprehensive ministry for seniors. This is often a primary focus of the clergy and Pastoral Care Team. As individuals become increasingly frail and isolated, the compassion of God revealed in Jesus calls the church to a ministry of support, conversation, listening and advocacy. In this way we strive to be present to the seniors in our midst. CCBC also has a number of programmatic responses for seniors:
Monthly Service for Seniors on the last Wednesday of each month beginning at 2 p.m. This is a time of worship, refreshment and fellowship for seniors whether they live in a residence or in their own home.
A Tape Ministry: Cassettes of Sunday services delivered to those unable to be in church due to illness or frailty.
Sunday Drives: Transportation to church on Sunday mornings
Visitation and Home Communion: Pastoral care to folks
who are shut-in
Keep in Touch: Periodic phone calls to check in, support and inform
Whether new to the area or a longtime member of the community, seniors or their families wishing to access these ministries of CCBC should contact the clergy through the parish office.
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Our ACW meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, September through May, from 1 to 3 pm in Foundation Hall.
Our mission statement of worship, learning, outreach and fellowship is achieved through interesting guest speakers; discussion; handicraft for Bales for the North, The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Queensway-Carleton Hospital; and refreshments. We welcome everyone.
Bales for the North Insert
Upcoming Events
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.
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Our community is blessed to have many gifted musicians among its members, allowing us to offer both traditional and contemporary music at our 10 a.m. service. Whether played on our organ or by our church band, the music at CCBC strikes a balance that enriches our worship experience. The junior and senior choirs play a central role in our music ministry leading our congregational singing, offering anthems and other music for special occasions. Our choirs practice on Thursday evenings from September through the end of May or early June (juniors at 6:30 p.m. and seniors at 7:45 p.m.) They are always delighted to welcome new members. If you are interested in finding out more about our choirs, or joining either of them,
please contact the parish office for more information.
Pancake Supper is held annually on the evening of
Shrove Tuesday, typically between 5-7 pm.
The event is open to everyone in
our community and is a wonderful gathering for fun and fellowship.
Spring Garage Sale is usually held on the first Saturday in
May and allows our parishioners to help the parish by
donating items no longer needed or wanted from
their households.
Spring Fundraiser has in the past included goods and
services auctions, theatre nights and a lobster
supper. Always original, always a great evening!
Holly Days Bazaar is usually held on the third Saturday
in November. This is our major fundraiser of the year
and has run for many years. With the exception of the
White Elephant and book rooms, all articles for sale are
new and handmade with care by our parishioners. Our bazaar
is well known in the community and is always well stocked,
staffed and attended.
Volunteer Opportunities
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