We started today's lesson by recalling that Jesus had died and was buried in a tomb. The children who were present last week helped with the review. They shared that Mary (not Jesus' mother one child was quick to tell us, but another Mary) had seen and spoken to Jesus. Jesus was ALIVE!
With everyone caught up, we used our wooden figures to show two male disciples heading out of Jerusalem--in a hurry. They were concerned about their safety. As the two walked toward Emmaus they discussed Jesus and all that had happened. Another traveler, a stranger, began walking with them. The stranger was amazingly familiar with Holy Scripture, which he discussed with the disciples as they walked. As night fell, the stranger accepted the disciples' invitation to eat and spend the night with them in town.
The stranger in our story is "played" by a risen Christ wooden figure. The children know who is really coming to supper, even though disciples do not. It's hard not to tell the disciples the surprise ending!
Back to the story. The stranger is given the honor of blessing the bread. As he breaks the bread the disciples suddenly know that their guest is Jesus, the Risen Lord. And then Jesus disappears. We don't know where he goes.
The disciples disappear as well. We know where they go. They race back to Jerusalem to tell their friends the news: Jesus is alive!
The children wondered about how the two disciples felt when they suddenly recognized their new friend. Surprised was the first response around the circle. And then...SHOCKED! Yes, the children agreed, recognizing Jesus as the bread was broken must have been SHOCKING.
Indeed, it is shocking to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread. When I least expect it, I am shocked to tears, shocked in a good way, by the gift and blessing of Holy Communion. How wonderful, how...well...shocking...that even now, so many years later, Jesus is still profoundly known to us in the breaking of the bread.
This morning we somehow missed our call back to church. Blissfully unaware that our time was over, we kept working on art responses. Please enjoy the children's work, only work photographed with their permission is posted.
Faithfully,
Christine Yeannakis
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Doubting Thomas
This past Sunday the intermediate Sunday School class read the story of Doubting Thomas - the same gospel that everyone was hearing upstairs in church, John 20:24-29. They located the gospel, the chapter, and the verses, and read the text. We used the New Century Version Youth Bible, which is clearly written and has supplemental stories that relate the scripture to everyday life. The students read one about a boy named Tim who doubted his strict father loved him. This caused Tim to think about God in the same way - he doubted that God loved him, too. The father takes Tim out for some time together, just the two of them, and tells his son that he loves him very much. Tim's doubt is lifted, and his feelings about his father, God, and himself are changed.
After reading this story, the students reflected on how Tim must have felt before and after his doubt was lifted. They related this to the story of Jesus and Thomas. How did Thomas feel towards Jesus when he doubted that He was really alive? How did Thomas feel when his doubt was lifted? How did Thomas feel about the other disciples? Were they alienated from Thomas when he didn't believe that they were telling the truth? Was he then reconciled to them? We started to talk about how we know that God loves us. The children were so engaged in discussion that the time seemed to go quickly and soon they were called back into church.
I like this edition of the bible because it seems to be accessible and yet it is not childish - the children learn new concepts and words every time they read it. Next week the children will explore more post-Resurrection appearances in the gospels, using art materials to express their thoughts about them.
Martha Crawley
After reading this story, the students reflected on how Tim must have felt before and after his doubt was lifted. They related this to the story of Jesus and Thomas. How did Thomas feel towards Jesus when he doubted that He was really alive? How did Thomas feel when his doubt was lifted? How did Thomas feel about the other disciples? Were they alienated from Thomas when he didn't believe that they were telling the truth? Was he then reconciled to them? We started to talk about how we know that God loves us. The children were so engaged in discussion that the time seemed to go quickly and soon they were called back into church.
I like this edition of the bible because it seems to be accessible and yet it is not childish - the children learn new concepts and words every time they read it. Next week the children will explore more post-Resurrection appearances in the gospels, using art materials to express their thoughts about them.
Martha Crawley
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed!
When I was growing up, my Greek Orthodox relatives and church family never said Happy Easter. During Easter season we greeted each other, in Greek, with the phrase "Christ is Risen". The response was (also in Greek of course ) "The Lord in risen indeed." Later today, I will call my parents and exchange this ancient greeting for about the 50th year (I'm not counting a few of my early years). For those of you who don't follow the Eastern Orthodox Church calendar, today is Orthodox Easter.
Meanwhile, it's still Easter in our Godly Play classroom and will be for weeks to come. We began our class today with singing, as always, thanks to Mrs. Ann Williams and the lovely organ she arranged to have donated to our Sunday School. The children joyfully sang songs that have fast become favorites. The congregation will be hearing these songs in "big" church on May 17 and again on Youth Sunday in June. Don't miss the next time the Sunday School Children/Parents/Teachers Choir leads the congregation. Palm Sunday was good...and we're only getting better!
With the singing over, the children gathered in a circle for prayer and today's lesson. They were in a hushed silence as I told the empty tomb story. During the discussion that followed the story, children wondered about ways Jesus' body could have disappeared. No one could quite figure out how Jesus could have materialized on that path and been known to Mary (his friend, not mother) when he called her by name.
In the past, some circle sessions, having confronted such mysteries, such BIG questions, have wound down with a child saying that "God can do anything" or "nothing is impossible for God". Not today.
This time, the children, without being asked (as is our routine) began telling ME what they wanted to draw (or make) as an art response. Trusting that the children knew best how they needed to work on their BIG question, we ended the circle and the art response began.
If their art work was any indication, crosses, tombs and the alive-again Christ seemed to be on the children's minds. Each child worked intently creating what was was important to him (all boys today). The single exception was our our oldest student of the morning, though the story was clearly on his mind. This seven year old stayed with the story materials. He busied himself re-telling the story using our clay tomb and the wooden figures that represented Jesus, the women and the angel.
I'm not saying our children figured everything out. I am just suggesting that this morning's boys explored a big question, for a short time, in a way that was meaningful to them.
And for that: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Next week we'll hear about an other resurrection appearance and continue practicing our songs. We look forward to seeing your children--old friends, newcomers and visitors. Parents, you are invited to visit as well!
Watch this space for a picture of today's lesson. As soon as I figure out how to post it I will!
Faithfully,
Chris Yeannakis
Meanwhile, it's still Easter in our Godly Play classroom and will be for weeks to come. We began our class today with singing, as always, thanks to Mrs. Ann Williams and the lovely organ she arranged to have donated to our Sunday School. The children joyfully sang songs that have fast become favorites. The congregation will be hearing these songs in "big" church on May 17 and again on Youth Sunday in June. Don't miss the next time the Sunday School Children/Parents/Teachers Choir leads the congregation. Palm Sunday was good...and we're only getting better!
With the singing over, the children gathered in a circle for prayer and today's lesson. They were in a hushed silence as I told the empty tomb story. During the discussion that followed the story, children wondered about ways Jesus' body could have disappeared. No one could quite figure out how Jesus could have materialized on that path and been known to Mary (his friend, not mother) when he called her by name.
In the past, some circle sessions, having confronted such mysteries, such BIG questions, have wound down with a child saying that "God can do anything" or "nothing is impossible for God". Not today.
This time, the children, without being asked (as is our routine) began telling ME what they wanted to draw (or make) as an art response. Trusting that the children knew best how they needed to work on their BIG question, we ended the circle and the art response began.
If their art work was any indication, crosses, tombs and the alive-again Christ seemed to be on the children's minds. Each child worked intently creating what was was important to him (all boys today). The single exception was our our oldest student of the morning, though the story was clearly on his mind. This seven year old stayed with the story materials. He busied himself re-telling the story using our clay tomb and the wooden figures that represented Jesus, the women and the angel.
I'm not saying our children figured everything out. I am just suggesting that this morning's boys explored a big question, for a short time, in a way that was meaningful to them.
And for that: Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Next week we'll hear about an other resurrection appearance and continue practicing our songs. We look forward to seeing your children--old friends, newcomers and visitors. Parents, you are invited to visit as well!
Watch this space for a picture of today's lesson. As soon as I figure out how to post it I will!
Faithfully,
Chris Yeannakis
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Don't Miss This Sunday!
Sunday School is back in session April 19. Both the younger and older classes will be studying Bible stories of Jesus' resurrection.
In Godly Play the children will listen and watch as wooden figures representing Jesus' women friends approach the tomb only to find his body missing. A Jesus figure will appear to one of the women. She will know Jesus as her beloved Teacher when he calls her by name.
This story always leads to a good wondering session and I'm expecting a good discussion from our current group of inquisitive and thoughtful preschool and primary students. Most Sundays I find that one or two questions from me lead to many questions from the children. They answer questions for each other...or not. Some questions are VERY big!
For example, a few weeks ago, a six year old asked how a good man who died lots of years ago could be our helper and savior even NOW...just by dying? We worked through the question and gave it the thoughtful discussion it was due. As I said, some questions are VERY big.
After the talking and wondering, the children will choose paper, markers, crayons, paints, clay or other supplies and use them to create an art response to the story.
Watch this space early next week to read highlights of our April 19 Sunday School time.
Chris Yeannakis
In Godly Play the children will listen and watch as wooden figures representing Jesus' women friends approach the tomb only to find his body missing. A Jesus figure will appear to one of the women. She will know Jesus as her beloved Teacher when he calls her by name.
This story always leads to a good wondering session and I'm expecting a good discussion from our current group of inquisitive and thoughtful preschool and primary students. Most Sundays I find that one or two questions from me lead to many questions from the children. They answer questions for each other...or not. Some questions are VERY big!
For example, a few weeks ago, a six year old asked how a good man who died lots of years ago could be our helper and savior even NOW...just by dying? We worked through the question and gave it the thoughtful discussion it was due. As I said, some questions are VERY big.
After the talking and wondering, the children will choose paper, markers, crayons, paints, clay or other supplies and use them to create an art response to the story.
Watch this space early next week to read highlights of our April 19 Sunday School time.
Chris Yeannakis
Welcome
Greetings! This is a place for all who are interested in the Church of Saint Clement Sunday School in Alexandria, Virginia to come and learn about the many ways in which we break open the word for our young people. Each Sunday, the younger members of our parish community process out of the main worship space during the singing of the Gloria. Together with one or more instructors, they proclaim and live the gospels through stories, play acting, coloring, and other activities that we define as "fun with purpose." Our young people return to the congregation and rejoin their families following the sermon.
-- Chris Yeannakis
-- Chris Yeannakis
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