20s/30s/40s and Family Kickoff September 7
Inviting all young families and young adults in their 20s, 30s, and 40s: join us as we kick off a new program year at St. Luke’s on Sunday, September 7 from 5-7pm. Dinner and childcare will be provided. We’ll spend time together over a meal and then enjoy some conversation together as adults. Please RSVP so we have enough food.
As hard as it is to believe, fall, the start of school, and a new program year at St. Luke’s is right around the corner. We have been hard at work for the past month and a half getting ready to restart Children’s Formation at St. Luke’s.
Children’s Formation (aka Sunday School)
Beginning September 7, we will have weekly Children’s Formation for older during the first half of worship. Formation will begin at 10am in classroom 5 in the basement. Children will rejoin the rest of the congregation at the Peace for the Kids’ Word. There is no set age range or cut-off for formation vs. childcare – we’ll leave that to you as parents to determine for yourself and your children. Formation will be led by myself, Canon Britt, our seminarian Vince, and other adult volunteers. Our hope is that Formation not be dependent on parent volunteers (y’all deserve a break and a village supporting you and your children!). However, if you would like to participate and support, please let me know!
Our plan to kick off Formation is to spend the first eight weeks of the fall exploring and experiencing what we do in church and why we do it – looking at each part of our liturgy and allowing kids to wonder, participate, and more fully come to know who, how, and why we worship. One of many hopeful outcomes from that is that we should have some great acolytes!
Childcare
Beginning September 7, we will hopefully have not one but two! childcare providers the majority of weeks. Many of you have already met Aidyn – who will be volunteering – and we are in the process of interviewing/hiring a paid position.
Based on feedback from some families, we are planning on having childcare in classroom 3 in the basement until the Peace and Kids’ Word. The reason for this is not because we don’t love having kids in worship, nor are there any complaints about noise and energetic presence. The primary perspective that led to the change in venue was considering visitors and newcomers – many of whom are families. While our current parents and community are very comfortable with the presence of children, it has been noted that visitors and newcomers have often appeared very self-conscious and uncomfortable with their children’s presence with them during sermons, prayers, etc. For families of younger (infant to toddler-ish) children, please feel free to provide feedback about this potential change.
Family/Young Adult Events
One of the things that emerged from your conversation with Valerie from the Diocese last November was a desire for family events and parent formation. Currently, our 20’s/30’s/40’s group is the primary (only?) gathering place for parents and families, along with young adults who do not have kids and/or partners. We’re looking at multiple opportunities to gather, connect, and grow together in faith and community – opportunities for fellowship and connection that may be easier for non-parent adults, and opportunities that include childcare and time for intentional conversation about life and faith that may be more appealing to parents/families. With that said, any young adults would be welcome at any and all events!
We’ll be kicking off our 20’s/30’s/40s and family events on September 7 from 5-7pm with a meal (provided by St. Luke’s) and childcare. That event will give us an opportunity to connect with one another and discuss our hopes for future events in more detail.
We’re excited for all that is coming for children and families at St. Luke’s!! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or feedback over the next several weeks.
Blessings to you all,
The Rev. Brian Gregory
Assisting Priest