Youth CalendarApril 15 Hike with St. John’s. April 13-15 Staff Prep for New Beginnings. April 27-28 New Beginnings Retreat. May 13 Hike/Bike Day (TBA). June 10 Garden of Eden, swimming hole in Henry Cowell (no jumping off the big stump). |
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Hello Everybody, Easter season is just around the corner and we’re still figuring out what happened to Snow Season! I think we all got spoiled last year. Anyway, it’s a lovely month and we’re thinking more about our beautiful environment. In case you haven’t noticed, we’ve got some RECYCLING containers placed around the facility. This is a huge step for us, it’s second nature at home, and bewildering why we haven’t recycled before at church. I noticed a little garbage in the one in the parish hall last Sunday, we’ll have to be a little careful about that because I’m going to pick out the garbage myself. Bleah. It’s a great first step for our church family to do this small thing for the environment. Soon, we’ll start recycling more types of things, the teens will be involved in promoting inkjet cartridge and cell phone recycling so save your recyclable items; the youth can raise money for their group by disposing of them properly. Ideally, we’d like a business to sponsor us: take a marked box, fill it up and bring it back to church. Watch for signs and collections boxes in April. One of our Senior Highers attended the “Happening” diocesan weekend retreat in March, and she’s the first St. Philip senior higher to attend! Way to go Michelle! I’m planting you a tree to commemorate the occasion! Happenings (and New Beginnings) are Cursillo style weekend retreats for teens. They can be powerful experiences for youth. Michelle was struck by how kind hearted the other teens at the event were. St. Philip’s teens have participated in New Beginnings for many years now, prep weekends have begun and we’ve got 3 teens on staff. Thank you Will, Serena and Michelle for volunteering, it’s a wonderful ministry. Middle schoolers: get your applications in, and parents, consider chaperoning. Kids are playing music again this month, we’ve got some fun songs ready. See ya in church! |
Bright Sundays and Easter BunniesThe children are looking forward to the Palm Sunday Procession. We're asking everyone who wants to parade to arrive a bit earlier than usual so we can get costumed. It will be a fun day at St. Philip's as we "recreate" Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. Sunday April 8 is EASTER! Immediately after the 10 am service, Tamah will have a quick singing practice for the children, because, the following Sunday, April 15 will be our *"BRIGHT SUNDAY" celebration. The children will be contributing to this special celebration with both songs and jokes. Directly after the music rehearsal, all children are invited to hunt for Easter eggs Julie O’Brien, |
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*Many American churches are resurrecting an old Easter custom begun by the Greeks in the early centuries of Christianity-"Holy Humor or Bright Sunday" a celebration of Jesus' resurrection on the Sunday after Easter. For centuries in Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant countries, the week following Easter Sunday was observed by the faithful as "days of joy and laughter" with parties and picnics to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Churchgoers and pastors played practical jokes on each other, drenched each other with water, told jokes, sang, and danced. |
Jacob’s Heart Open HouseJacob’s Heart will be hosting an open house and family spring fling on Sat. March 31st from 2-4pm in celebration of their new location at 2007 Freedom Boulevard, Freedom. There will be fun for all including a ribbon cutting ceremony, egg hunt, kid’s craft activity, and face painting. Everyone is welcome! “The programs offered through Jacob’s Heart are designed to address the emotional, social, and financial needs of children with cancer and their families.” For more information about this wonderful organization, visit their website at: http://www.jacobsheart.org/ |
