CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

It’s amazing how the start-up for the Sunday School each fall is met with trepidation; so many variables make it feel something like walking across a room with your eyes closed knowing that somewhere there’s a coffee table just waiting to meet your shin. What makes it amazing is that each year after the first week that feeling of trepidation has been transformed into one of a group of friends, back together again each week for fun, music and learning, as if the summer break never happened.

We started the fall with strong numbers, averaging somewhere around twenty kids each week, and as the weeks have progressed, these numbers have held steady - many thanks for that to those who bring the kids and to the children themselves for wanting to attend in the first place. It was with great regret that we heard the news about Father George’s retirement and although it makes a big change for St. James’, the Sunday School plans on continuing in the same manner as we have all along so please continue to encourage the children to attend as they are able.

Once again this year Mrs. Birtch is leading the children in song, a time that is very much enjoyed by the kids as they learn new songs and occasionally make requests for old favourites!

As this is written, preparations are well under way for the annual Christmas pageant to be presented on December 12^th. All rehearsals will be done during regular Sunday School time with the addition of one extra practice on Saturday the 11^th of December, the time for which has yet to be determined. As soon as this is finalized, announcements will be made and notices will be sent out.

Speaking of notices being sent out, if anyone still hasn’t completed a registration form for a child in the Sunday School program, please try to do so with the inclusion of an email address as this will enable us to more easily get the pertinent information regarding the happenings in the Sunday School out to those who may be of interest.

Plans are also in the works for another chilli lunch in support of the children’s meal program in Kenya. This will take place sometime in January (when a bowl of hot chilli can really be appreciated) the event once again hosted by the Sunday School and Youth Group. Last year’s lunch spectacularly raised enough to fund the Kenyan kitchen for ten months with the remainder of the year being covered by financing from other sources. It was a resounding success thanks to everyone who gave so generously and became a shining real life example for the children of St. James’ of Jesus’ teaching us that we are to help others less fortunate.

In closing, as always, a welcome is extended to any parent or guardian who wants to drop back to the hall any Sunday to join in some of the fun and see what we do there each week. We supply the crayons!

Take care everyone and thank you all for your ongoing support of the Sunday School as St. James’.

Susan Burr

Robert Lilley

St. James Sunday School Coordinators.

UTX

                                                     Under The Cross

                 STUDY... SERVICE...SOCIAL

What a great fall season we have had and looking forward to much more ahead! Read on...

We have been meeting almost every Sunday for time to look at our lives as Christian Youth dealing with topics relevant to our daily lives including friendships, our character, relating to and helping others.

Attending the recent U2charist at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was a highlight this fall. Part of the event for youth was to raise funds to the “12 for 2012” initiative that was decided on by the youth who attended the CLAY (Christian Lutheran Anglican Youth) conference this past summer. Through our own Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (and the Lutheran equivalent), it is hoped that the youth will raise enough funds between now and 2012 to build 12 sustainable communities in developing countries (cost is approximately $5000.00 per community).  The U2charist was an opportunity to donate to this initiative and the youth attending were asked to raise money for a donation. Our UTX youth from St. James’ raised $525.00 at our ‘free-will’ coffee hour we hosted last Oct. 17, 2010. Our donation was the highest of any given that evening and so our youth won a prize pack for movies and pizza. Our youth graciously donated the pizza prize back to be used for a local organization in need since the pizza outlet was only available in the London area.

UTX would like to again thank our parish family for your generous support of our effort at the coffee hour we hosted. We were very excited to take the donation to the U2charist and had a fabulous evening worshipping with the music of U2 provided by the live band ‘Elevation’. It was a great time to share with other youth in our diocese.

Coming up we will be helping with St. James’ annual turkey dinner. You will see UTX clearing and serving. It is a great way for us to interact with our congregation and support our parish.

Some of the youth will participate in the upcoming Sunday School Christmas pageant whether reading parts or helping little ones to their places.

We are also looking ahead to enjoying an evening out socially before Christmas to use our movie coupon we won. A date will soon be decided – UTX - watch for emails to let you know what’s up!

We also realize that we are soon to say good-bye to having Father George with us at St. James’. The Youth of UTX join our congregation in wishing Father George and Beth well in their retirement and their many plans ahead. We will miss Father George greatly and wish to thank him for all his support as we formed our UTX group. He was always there to support and encourage each of us and all that we were doing.  Thank you Father George.

Your UTX Leaders: Sue Reid, Paula Ridge and Jason Reid