Children and Youth Ministry Update from The Rev. Francesca Fortunato

Dear Park People,

On Sunday February 16th, the Park Sunday school children studied the 23rd Psalm, using the book “Psalm 23,” with illustrations by Tim Ladwig . In this wonderful book (which I encourage parents to acquire for their children’s home libraries) Ladwig interprets the verses of the Psalm, using pictures of two urban children, as they go through their day, at home, in the park, at school. The scenes are deeply touching and very relatable, for children and adults.

For their creative response to “Psalm 23,” the children were asked to think about ways that the verses of the Psalm applied, in their own lives, and draw illustrations, featuring themselves as the protagonists. They did some truly beautiful and inspiring work!

On Sunday February 23rd, we will read Ephesians 2: 8-10. Discussion will focus on the idea that God made people to do good works. We will think about some of the good things we’re already doing,  as people of God, and consider other things that we might want to do in the future.

For our creative response, we will have another crafting session, making items to sell at our craft fair to benefit Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. So far, the children have made beautiful bracelets, brooches, decorated t-shirts (using fabric markers) notebooks, book-marks; ‘zines. I look forward to seeing what their imaginations bring into being, as this joyful process continues.

I am aware that the children are beginning a week’s vacation from their secular schools today. Here’s hoping that all of them will find happy adventures, in these next few days, whether close to home, or elsewhere.

Blessings and well wishes as always,
Rev. Francesca Maria (Miriam): Children’s Minister