Reflection for Family Ministry e-news

I hate that senseless violence occurs daily in our world. I wish it were not so, but here I am writing to you all in the wake of another national tragedy. In times like these it is difficult to know what to say to our children when they ask why you are upset while watching the news or why something like this would happen. I don't know exactly what you should tell your children, but I do have a few articles that I suggest you read to help you prepare to talk with your children about the events in Boston, or to help you follow up on conversations you have already had.  

   

The first was shared with me by Rev. Licia, and provides advice on how to speak with children of all ages (toddlers through teenagers). http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/04/talk-children-marathon-bombs 

   

The second is from Sesame Street Workshop, and provides advice on how to help your whole family cope with frightening events.  http://www.sesameworkshop.org/our-blog/2013/04/16/more-tragic-times-helping-families-cope/ 

   

The third is from the Fred Rogers Company, and provides advice on how to talk with children when they see tragic events in the news. http://fci.org/new-site/par-tragic-events.html 

   

As always Fr. Reed, Rev. Licia, and I are available to talk with you or your family if you would like; just let us know.

Peace,

Lauren+

Easter 3 Year C

Acts 9:1-6, (7-20), Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

The gospel story that we heard last week from John’s gospel had a very strong sense of finality to it. In case you don’t remember, it ended with this line “These signs are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.”1 What a great ending! It really felt like the entire gospel was tied up with a pretty bow.

But wait there’s more!

“Our gospel story continues like a play when the curtain comes down and an actor steps out on the front of the stage to deliver an epilogue, a postscript to the drama that has unfolded before us. There seems to be some fear that we might have not gotten the meaning of all that we saw and heard, and so, one more unforgettable story is offered.”2

Our gospel text today starts with some of the disciples fishing at the Sea of Tiberias. This sea may sound familiar to you because it is the same sea by which Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish to feed a crowd of more than 5000 people. The disciples fished all night, but did not catch anything. Then Jesus enters the story, but they do not realize that it is him. After some discussion, Jesus tells the disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat and they catch a multitude of fish. It is in this moment that Peter realizes that the man who told them where to fish is Jesus. I imagine that when Peter saw the net full, so full that it was about to burst, that he had a flashback to the day where Jesus fed so many people with just a few loaves and fish.

Reflections for Family Ministry e-news

I am so happy that our inaugural North Central Family 5K is finally here! This Saturday (April 13) morning volunteers will being setting up at 5am, registration for the runners will be at 6:30am, and the race starts at 8am. It will be an early morning for all involved, but it is sure to be lots of fun.  

Some of you have asked why All Saints' decided to have a race, so I am going to share the why with you. We decided to have a race because we wanted to do something that would be fun for all ages, old and very young alike, and help us to connect more with the wider community. Having a race allows those of us who are regular attendees at All Saints' to get to know one another outside of the pews and it also allows us an opportunity to meet people from around North Central Phoenix.

The race also allows us to raise funds for both Family Ministries and our partner parish and school St. Paul's in Haiti. For All Saints' additional funds for Family Ministries means that we can try new and exciting programs to engage our children, youth, and families. For St. Paul's the additional funds means they can finish building the walls and roof for their school so that different grades can have their own classrooms. In short the North Central Family 5K is a friend-raiser and a fundraiser that we hope will become a loved tradition.

It's not too late to volunteer or register for the North Central Family 5K! If you would like to volunteer show up and see where help is needed. If you would like to register for the race please go to www.ncf5k.org or you can register in person on the morning of the race.

Looking forward to seeing you bright and early on Saturday!

Peace,

Lauren+

Easter 2 Year C

Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.

You cannot actually see wind. You can feel it on your skin. You can hear it through cracks in the door. You can smell things from far away that the wind moves towards you. You can see plants sway and bend in its mighty force...but you cannot actually see wind.

Believing without seeing.

There are many things in and about the world that we believe in though we cannot see them. We believe in the property of gravity and other forces of creation, though we cannot see the pressure of gravity at work. We believe in love, though we have no way to measure it, but we feel it burn intensely within us.  Some of us believe that there are monsters in the closet or under the bed, though no one has ever actually seen a monster.

Believing without seeing.

We come to believe in all sorts of things we cannot see through our personal experiences and through experiences shared with us by others. This is especially true when we are young and are still exploring the multitude of experiences within God’s creation.