VACATION BIBLE CAMP!

• Hand Bells
  Mondays, beginning September 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 3:55 p.m. at TCS Memorial Chapel

A generous invitation of music is extended to St. John's children age 8 and up to receive instruction in the playing of Hand Bells and to participate in a Bell Ringing group. Mr. Randy Mills, Choir Director and Organist at St Mark's and Trinity College School is offering his time and talent for this project. Mr. Mills teaches a similar children's Hand Bell group from St. Mark's Church.

Instruction and practices will take place on Mondays, beginning Monday September 19 from 3:00 to 3:55 p.m. in the basement of the Memorial Chapel at Trinity College School. The Hand Bells belong to TCS and were donated by the TCS Parents Guild. No previous musical experience is necessary and there is no charge for the instruction and participation. All that is required is commitment and the desire to make music.

Bell ringing is a “team” activity. For the program to be successful, it is hoped that 7 or 8 children will accept this invitation. Practices with Mr. Mills will involve learning how to hold and ring the bells correctly, learning to ring as a “team” and learning simple music notation. Hand Bell musical notation is easy to follow; notes are circled with red for right-hand bells and blue for left-hand bells. Each child will ring 2 bells, with learning quick and fun. Several short musical selections will be taught at the beginning and as confidence grows, more involved selections will be added. Mr. Mills will also be working with the St. Mark's group at their respective practice time and it is his plan to combine the groups for larger Bell Ringing activities.

We are already looking forward to hearing joyful music and seeing St. John's children join with St. Mark's children at St. John's on October 30 during the Prelude to the Sunday Choral Eucharist. The Hand Bell group will ring at St. Mark's during a similar visit at a later date. We also hope to have the opportunity to make music at a nursing or retirement home or other church functions.

Music is an integral part of any child's education. Private music instruction requiring an absence from school during school hours is recognized by the Ministry of Education. The Government of Ontario Education Act Section 21(2e) states “A person is excused from attendance at school if, the person is absent from school for the purpose of receiving instruction in music and the period of absence does not exceed onehalf day in any week.”

If your child/children (grandchild/grandchildren) are interested, please speak to Marianne for information as soon as possible. Marianne is co-ordinating this program with Randy Mills. It will be exciting to see where this will lead..

55 children, 31 adult and teen helpers and 2 babies enjoyed Bible stories, music, science, crafts and games at Shake It Up Cafe, the week of July 4 to July 8. The Bible is God's cookbook and each day we discovered a “secret ingredient” to help us live the way God wants us to live: Be Ready for God, Give Happily to God, Believe Fully in Jesus, Remember Jesus Often and Celebrate God Forever.

“Bread” was a theme of the week from unleavened bread in the Old Testament recipes to the new “Bread of Life” revealed through the New Testament recipes. Moses and the Passover from the Old Testament recipe in Exodus was our session one story and following simple instructions for matzo bread, we made our own unleavened bread. Our plan is to use these same matzo instructions for our own Communion Bread for our Children's Services and Children's Eucharist this season.

On the last day of our camp, it was our pleasure to welcome several children and teens from a newly formed Hand Bell Ringing group from St. Mark's Church under the direction of Mr. Randy Mills. The group is in itsʼ early stages and St. John's VBC was one of the group's first audiences. Ave Verum and the Titanic theme were rung and five of St. John's children were invited to ring with them - a fun way to end a very special week.

Thanks to all who in any way shared this wonderful week with us.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES We will have Children’s Services, which will be Eucharists, five times throughout the year: Vacation Bible Camp Reunion Sunday in September, The First Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve, the Sunday after Easter, and Vacation Bible Camp Kick-Off Sunday sometime in the spring. These services will be geared toward children but we hope people of all generations will come and worship together.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY - ADVENT ACTIVITIES see details here » WORSHIP KITS are available for your children during the service. Please speak to a greeter if a kit is needed. GALACTIC BLAST COSMIC ADVENTURE 2010 - for slideshow click the pic or visit our Flickr gallery here »

CURRICULUM: Sunday School Program

Young Children and Worship is the new Sunday School program being adopted by St. John’s Kids’ Club. Children and Worship is cross-cultural and is being experienced in a variety of Christian denominations in North America, England, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, South Korea, and South Africa. The program works well for a Sunday School with children of various ages and abilities.

Children and Worship presents biblical stories and parables using wooden figures to illustrate. The approach is of a sensorimotor style. Children experience rather than just learn about God and worship.

The program is based on the four-fold order of worship, uses the liturgical year, and uses “signing” which teaches children that all people of varying abilities are welcome.

At the beginning of each children’s worship session, we assemble and meet together in our special “place”. We greet each other (with word and sign) – The Lord be with you; and also with you. A “Child of the Day” is chosen. We sing songs and give our offering. We prepare to hear a story of God by singing and signing – Be Still and know that I am God. A story or parable is presented using wooden figures and then there is a time to wonder and then respond with art and craft. We close by singing and signing a benediction – Go now in peace, may the love of God surround you everywhere you go.

For further information contact stjohnskids@bell.net or visit www.childrenandworship.org

Resources:

• Young Children and Worship by Sonia Stewart & Jerome Berryman Published by Westminster John Knox Press Louisville, Kentucky 1989
  
  
• Following Jesus by Sonja Stewart Geneva Press, 2000