But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Luke 18: 16

Trinity Kids provides spiritual guidance, education, & community for children from infancy through 5th grade. For Preschool through 5th grade, the “contemplative model”; of children’s ministry is used to provide the framework for learning about the stories of the Bible, with a focus back to the gospel & salvation of Jesus Christ. Lessons and discussions are hands-on, reflective, and open-ended. Please contact Julia Guy (julia@trinityanglicanmission.org) with any questions or to learn more about Godly Play and the contemplative model.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Summer Schedule


Summer Schedule
 Prek-kinder, 1st-3rd grade, & 4th-5th grade

Children in these three classes will be going into worship with their parents during the summer months. During the school year, they have practiced worshiping the Lord and becoming receptive to Him in their own classrooms and during our worship days. This will give them an opportunity to participate in and enjoy worship with the larger church and with their parents. After worship, they will return to class for a story and feast time together.

Parents can help their children participate in worship by preparing them beforehand. You can say something like, 

“Worship is a very special time, it is very special because it is time to be with God, to talk/sing to God, and to listen to God. During worship, we have all the time we need. So we don’t have to hurry. We can sit or stand still and quiet. And we sing to God or listen quietly to the music. We do this because the people in church may also be talking with God or singing to Him, and we don’t want to disturb them. So we need to get ready to worship God during this special time. You can get ready all by yourself. You don’t need me to tell you to get ready. But I can show you how to get ready to be with God.”

Let’s practice getting ready to worship God and listen to Him. We listen to God by becoming very quiet. Quietness comes from inside you, not from someone telling you to be quiet. You can get quiet all by yourself. We can make our bodies very quiet. This is how. Close your eyes and listen to the quietness…Now see if you can make your feet get very still….See if you can make your legs get very still...Feel your body getting very still…Now your arms are getting very still…Now your head is very still...Now your breathing is very still….You can’t hear it at all…..Breath in ….and out….in…..out. Now we are ready to listen to God and worship Him together.”

trinitykids Sunday Schedule:
June 3rd through July 29th 
(Regular Schedule Resumes August 5th)

9:30/11:30: Check children in at trinitykids in the Gathering Room.
9:30/11:30 – 9:50/11:50: Children worship with parents in sanctuary (preschool - kindergarten,
1st-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade.)
9:50/ll:50 – 10:00/11:00: Parents return children to trinitykids. Children are welcomed into their
classrooms.
10:00/11:00 – 10:20/11:20: Story and reflection time
10:20/11:20 – 10:30/11:30: Feast time
10:35/11:35:  Parents return to pick up children.




Ascension (May 5th)


Season of the Church Year: Easter  (white)
Story in Scripture: Luke 24:44-53; John 14-17; Acts 1:1-11
This week, we learned the story of Jesus’ ascension. This is a particularly mysterious story with many various perspectives and interpretations throughout history. The primary theme we will return to in our lesson is the concept that Jesus was changed in an incredible way and that he was present with his friends before returning to the Father. Also, we will speak a lot about his promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit. I recommend that you encourage your child to embrace their questions and pray specifically to God for understanding and clarity.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
I wonder how Jesus’ friends felt when Jesus went away?
I wonder if they kept looking for Jesus?
I wonder how they knew Jesus was still with them?

Prayer:
“Dear Father, thank you for saving me through the death of your son. Please help me to understand your kingdom and to look forward to the day when it will come to complete the beauty of your creation. Thank you for the stories of the Bible that help me to learn about Jesus and his friends. Amen.”

You may also pray the Lord’s Prayer, with specific attention on “Your Kingdom come…” 

Looking forward:
Next week, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday! Read ahead with your child in Acts 2.

Jesus Commissions the Disciples (April 29th)


Season of the Church Year: Easter (white)
Story in Scripture: Matthew 28: 16- 20 
As we follow the stories following Easter, it is shocking to acknowledge what a strange season it has been for the disciples and followers of Jesus. There were surely so many mysterious, wonderful, surprising, and trying experiences that they were beginning to grow weary. As Jesus commissions, or sends out, the disciples to continue the work that Jesus himself began, we can only imagine the power of his words. In the book of Matthew, we read, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” These words are not just for the disciples, they are also for all of use, young and old. This is an important story because it reminds us that God has equipped us to so many things. Today, your child’s teacher explained that Jesus sent the disciples out together, with the skills they needed to teach and baptize, and to demonstrate God’s love near and far. Soon, on Pentecost Sunday, we will also be discussing the ways in which the Holy Spirit joins us in our daily lives. Often, this story can be intimidating because we are tempted to think that we don’t have what it takes. I encourage you to talk with your child about the gifts that they have to love others and to share the Good News. They will be bringing home a copy of the ‘Great Commission’; perhaps you could hang it in a special place or read it regularly as your child grows in the understanding of God’s commission for them.

Guiding Questions for Discussion:
I wonder how the disciples feel being close to Jesus?
I wonder how they feel as Jesus sends, or commissions, them out to show the way of the kingdom of God?
I wonder what each of them will do to show the way of the kingdom of God?
I wonder what they will tell about Jesus?
I wonder how they feel to have Jesus with them always, even when they can’t see Jesus?
I wonder how they know that Jesus is with them?
I wonder if they will always follow Jesus, even when they can’t see him?
I wonder how they feel when they hear Jesus say, “And remember, I am with you always, until the end of the age?”
I wonder how it makes you feel to hear those special words?

Prayer:
“Father, I love you and am so glad that you are here with us during all our struggles and in the dark times. Help us to love one another and to remember that you walk along the “road” beside us, even when we are confused. Amen.”

Looking Ahead:
We will be learning about Jesus’ ascension into Heaven. You can read ahead with your child in Luke 24:44-53; John 14-17, and Acts 1:1-11