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Intergenerational Forum
Sundays, 9:15-10:00 am in the Guild Room. As its motto suggests, "Dedicated to
further enhancing our spiritual journey," at the Intergenerational Forum we are interested in
providing opportunities for education and discussion on topics that will
challenge our spiritual life. We explore a range of subjects that fall within the broad areas of the
history of Christianity, theology, current issues, and the relationship
of Christians with their society. Realizing that people respond to different formats, we
try to engage participants through various means, including presentations and guest speakers, discussions of videos, and panel discussions.
All ages are welcome high-school age and older. Childcare is provided.
Beta Book Study Group
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm in the Guild Room. If you enjoy studying books
from a faith perspective then the Beta Book Study Group is for you. Some of the
past topics have been the Letter to the Philippians, C.S. Lewis' A Grief Observed,
Philip Yancey's Reaching for the Invisible God and Bruce Feiler's Walking the
Bible: A Journey by Land Through the Five Books of Moses. We don't have a set reading
list; when we finish a work, we then decide what to read next and invite the parish to
join us. If there's a book you've wanted to discuss with others, please bring
your suggestions.
Parish Library
It is to the left before you enter the sanctuary. Besides
housing books that may be checked out, the library also contains videos and audiotapes of
recent Adult Forums. It also receives diocesan and national Episcopal magazines and
newspapers. Free pamphlets on various subjects are on the racks to the left before you
enter the library. Come in and browse.
Lenten Series
Wednesday evenings of Lent, Parish Hall One
of the traditional responses to the invitation "to the observance of a holy
Lent" (BCP p. 265) is to set aside time for reflection and study. We regularly offer
a special series for the parish during Lent. It is preceded by a potluck dinner, and
activities for children are also provided. In the past we have had programs on prayer, the
concept of Jubilee, and the book of Genesis.
Baptism and Confirmation
These along with Reception and Reaffirmation of Baptismal
Vows are important steps of faith when an adult is ready. For more information about them
and the process of preparation, see Fr. Stephen and the parish brochure devoted to them.
Diocesan Opportunities
An advantage of the Episcopal Church's diocesan structure
is that we have the opportunity to attend lectures, workshops, and retreats that are open
to all Episcopalians who live west of the Cascades. Cursillo, a spiritual renewal
movement, is active in the diocese and parish. A great way to be aware of what is
happening around the diocese is to visit the diocesan website (www.diocese-oregon.com) or to read the monthly
diocesan newspaper, The Oregon Episcopal Church News, which the parish library
receives. To receive a free subscription, call the Close (503.636.5613).
Metro East Convocation is the geographical subdivision of the diocese within which All Saints resides.
Its School of Ministry offers practical courses designed to enhance lay ministry. Past courses have included New
Testament Greek and Training Youth Group Leaders. Upcoming courses are announced in the
diocesan newspaper and on the diocesan website. For more information, contact the Rev. Marla McGarry-Lawrence, deacon at St. Michael and All Angels.
Christian formation and education are important for all ages.
Clergy, staff, and volunteers at All Saints work together on this
important ministry, providing age-appropriate venues for children to learn about
and experience their faith.
Sunday Mornings
All children age 3 through High School are invited to attend classes on
Sunday mornings during the school year.
Currently there are five classrooms: preschool/kindergarten; grades 1-3;
grades 4-5; middle school; and high school.
Classes begin at 10:15 a.m.
and conclude by 11:00 a.m.,
at which time the older children join their parents in church for Holy
Communion. Parents of preschoolers
can bring them into the service or have them play in the nursery, which is
staffed from 9:15 until noon, for the duration of the service.
Church School
classes do not meet on the fourth Sunday of the month.
On that Sunday children join their parents in church for the Youth Sunday
service, which features a children's sermon and special participation by the
Family Choir, youth lectors, and youth ushers.
Curriculum
Preschool through Elementary school age use the Episcopal
Children's Curriculum, a
project of Virginia Theological Seminary, through its Center for the Ministry of
Teaching, in collaboration with Morehouse Publishing.
The concepts and content for the
Episcopal Childrens Curriculum are woven from four foundational threads:
Old Testament, New Testament, Sacraments, and Church.
This year students in the various classes will learn about Creation, the
Pentateuch, Gods Covenant with the people of God, Jesus as Healer and
Miracle-worker, the Church in the New Testament, and the Apostle Paul.
Students become familiar with the Bible, Book of Common Prayer, and the
Hymnal, and experience learning not only through reading and story-telling but
also through crafts, drama, poetry, and singing.
The 4-5 grade class will also be introduced to Christian apologetics
through books such as The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.
Middle School and High School
meet together downstairs at the beginning of class time for a short worship
service of singing and scripture reading.
The groups then split off into separate classes.
Middle School uses courses from the
Discovering Program published by Saint
Marys Press. The program consists
of multi-week courses on a variety of subjects.
Some are survey-type, such as Exploring the Story of Israel, while
others integrate biblical teaching into topics pertinent to children of this
age, such as Understanding Myself.
Classes are discussion-based and also include self-reflective writing and art
projects.
High School
uses the Bible as the primary text. The
class has a lecture and discussion format and is currently studying the life and
ministry of Jesus.
Holy Communion & Confirmation
It is the custom in the Episcopal Church for parents to decide when their
young baptized children will receive communion.
To enhance lessons the children receive at home, All Saints periodically
offers classes that educate the youngest members of our parish about the
significance of Holy Communion.
Instruction is also offered for those children who are considering baptism or
who, baptized as infants, are intending to express a mature commitment to Christ
in the sacrament of Confirmation. For more information contact Sunday School
Coordinator Sarah Gibson at
sgibsonpdx@aol.com or the office at 503-777-3829.
Programs for Families and Children
Programs for families and children occur throughout the year.
The Sunday School year begins in the fall with an Ice Cream Social, where
students and parents can meet teachers and other families.
The Social is held after church and features games, races in the
courtyard, and ice cream and hotdogs.
The season of Advent begins with an opportunity to make Advent Wreaths with
fresh greenery to use at home. A
Childrens Breakfast and Festival also takes place in December.
All children are invited to participate in the Christmas Pageant, either
as members of the Family Choir (attending weekly rehearsals after church in
Dec.) or with minor roles they learn during regular Sunday School classes.
A special service for families is held early in the evening on Christmas
Eve.
An Easter Egg Hunt follows the service on Easter morning and there are also
special celebrations marking Pentecost and the end of the Sunday School year in
June.
Church School Outreach
Opportunities for outreach are available to children throughout the year.
During Advent children participate in the Holgate House Angels
program. The children decorate angel
envelopes which are hung on a Christmas Tree in the church lobby.
Each envelope contains the wish list of a resident of Holgate House, a
program serving low income and disabled people in our neighborhood.
Parishioners purchase gifts for the residents and our children deliver
the gifts before Christmas.
Children also collect coins in mite boxes during Lent.
Last year this money was sent to Food for the Poor to build fish farms in
poor communities in the Caribbean.
This year Sunday school children also filled water bottles with coins to
support a diocesan-wide project to assist Episcopal Relief and Development build
wells and pumps to provide clean water to villages in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Bible Day Camp
All Saints collaborates with other area churches each summer to present a
week-long Bible Day Camp. There is a
half-day program for pre-schoolers and full day for elementary age.
Older children participate as helpers.
Camp staff is provided by Camp Lutherwood Ministries.
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