I am excited for this coming year! I feel like we learned a lot last year, and think this year is going to be even better. I wanted to give you some information to supplement the schedule below.
Morning Sunday School will be geared toward children fifth grade and younger, but evening Sunday School is for all ages. In the evening we will have hot dogs at 5:30PM, and the lesson will begin at 6:00PM. After the lesson we will have fun and play games in the Parish House or outside. Once a month we will have a special event. Anyone can come to these special events, but please be sure to consider if that event is appropriate for your child(ren) and if your child(ren) is/are in the fifth grade or below we ask that a parent come on the trip as well.
I am looking forward to this year and as always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or text me.
Blessings,
Fr. Nick
|
September 9 |
Kick-off Sunday, Breakfast at 9 in the Undercroft Blessing of the Back Packs at 10:30 Service |
| September 16 | Evening Sunday School, 5:30 in the Parish House |
| September 23 |
Community Breakfast 8:30 - 10, Volunteer to Help Morning Sunday School, 9:30 in the Parish House |
| September 26 | Loaves and Fishes, 5:30 - 6:15 Undercroft, Volunteer to Help |
| September 30 | Trip to Uptown Pinball! Meet at the Parish House, 5:30 |
| October 6 | Oktoberfest Uptown Martinsville - Volunteer to Help |
| October 7 | Morning Sunday School, 9:30 in the Parish House |
| October 14 | Evening Sunday School, 5:30 in the Parish House |
| October 21 | Morning Sunday School, 9:30 in the Parish House |
| October 24 | Loaves and Fishes, 5:30 - 6:15 Undercroft, Volunteer to Help |
| October 28 |
Community Breakfast 8:30 - 10, Volunteer to Help Hiking Trip to Macafie's Knob! Leave Following 10:30 Service |
| November 4 | Morning Sunday School, 9:30 in the Parish House |
| November 9 - 11 | Fall Youth Event @ Camp Bethel in Fincastle, Virgina |
| November 11 | Evening Sunday School, 5:30 in the Parish House |
| November 18 |
Morning Sunday School, 9:30 in the Parish House Trip to Trampoline Park! Leave Following 10:30 Service |
| November 25 | No Sunday School |
| November 28 | Loaves and Fishes, 5:30 - 6:15 Undercroft, Volunteer to Help |
| December 2 | Evening Sunday School, 5:30 in the Parish House |
| December 9 | Morning Sunday School, 9:30 in the Parish House |
| December 16 | Evening Sunday School - Dirty Santa Party, 5:30 in the Parish House |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve Nativity Activities |
| December 26 | Loaves and Fishes, 5:30 - 6:15 Undercroft, Volunteer to Help |
We are going to try something again this year that I am excited about!
A little over a year ago we offered a class called Episcopal 101 that served a trifold purpose. First, it is meant as an inquirers class that would satisfy any curiosity someone might have about the Episcopal Church. Second, It can serve to prepare someone for confirmation if the candidate attends every class and reads a short text on their own. Third, it can also serve as an opportunity to freshen up your episco-skills if you are a longtime Episcopalian, but are a bit rusty on the difference between a cassock and a chasuble. I thought our first round was a lot of fun, and we had tremendous participation. I hope you consider joining us this year, and please feel free to pick and choose what classes you would like to attend as each one is independent.
Episcopal 101 will be roughly following the book Your Faith Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church, and there will be a total of six classes. The class may appeal to you for a variety of reasons, and it will be open to anyone regardless of their membership status or the reason they would like to attend. One purpose of this class is to prepare people for confirmation or reception to the Episcopal Church. If you are serious about exploring a commitment to the Episcopal Church this is the perfect place to start. I will even give you a copy of the book to show that we are invested in your spiritual discernment in this Church. If you are curious about the Episcopal Church and are not sure if you want to make a commitment then this class is for you too. Though confirmation is an option it is by no means expected if you are not ready for that jump. If you are a life-long Episcopalian and want to touch up on your Church History, Liturgy or Church polity then this class is for you too. You are welcome to come to every class or pick a couple that interest you. However, if you are planning to be confirmed we ask that you plan on attending all of the classes. The books are available in the Church Office at no cost if you are seeking confirmation or for fifteen dollars ($15) if you have already been confirmed.
The schedule for the classes is as follows:
September 18 - Week 1: Introduction and Scripture
September 25 - Week 2: Church History
October 2 - Week 3: Liturgy and Sacraments
October 9 - Week 4: Church Organization and Polity
October 16 - Week 5: Prayer
October 23 - Week 6: Conclusion
Also, just a small note of preparing for the class. Don’t. Let’s dive into these subjects together with a blank slate. Once we cover the basics in the class I highly encourage you to read the corresponding chapters after class. After you read you may have questions on material in the book that we did not cover in class, which we can address in the beginning of the following class.
I am looking forward diving into this material with you!
Blessings,
Fr. Nick
The first Episcopal 101 class was held in the Spring of 2017. Many people attended , they valued the shared information and discussion. The next class will begin on September 18.
Confirmation is when the Church prepares and welcomes new members into the Episcopal Church. Although, everyone is welcome to fully participate in worship and the life of the Church, members are able to run for vestry (our governing board), and vote in vestry elections. The Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Virginia comes to our parish every 18 months to confirm new members, and confirmation classes are offered in the months prior to the Bishop's visit.
