Dear Families,
The picture above is of our Confirmation/Coming of Age Class (with Grandon Purnell and Pastor Ellen as Co-Leaders) on Sunday, 9/12, at the Interfaith Unity Walk.
Masked and safe, the Confirmation/Coming of Age Class is out and about! At the Interfaith Unity Walk, we started at the Washington Hebrew Congregation and continued with Zoroastrianism, Catholicism, Christian Orthodoxy, progressive Mormonism, and the beautiful gardens of the Washington National Cathedral. We were sad to miss the Buddhist, Sikhs, and Muslims but hope to do so when those buildings reopen.
Sunday night, the class met in our church side yard for pizza, movement, and a conversation about questions ranging from “is there a God?” and “is the Bible true?” to “does our church welcome the LGBTQ+ community?” The answers to the former were varied and nuanced. The answer to the latter was a resounding, YES. These young teens are thoughtful, curious, and compassionate, and I’m so excited to spend a year with them!
As I shared with most of you last week, due to her new job Kimberly is no longer available to teach Sunday School this fall. Wah! Thus, we’re seeking a new Sunday School Lead Teacher. If you have any ideas or referrals, please let me know. In the meanwhile, Mirabelle suggests the following:
Community Playdates, Sept 25, Oct 2, and Oct 9: Let’s take advantage of the gorgeous fall season to catch up with our church community at Macomb Playground. Join us on the following Saturdays at 10 am (9/25, 10/2, 10/9). It’s a great way to safely get together (and friends are always welcome to join). Email moc.liamg@oellebarim with questions/concerns or just to say, “we’re in!”
In addition, we’ll have our outdoor Blessing of the Animals Service and Kids Community Service Activity in October. Please see below for more information about these events.
Blessing of the Animals, 10/3—I invite you and your furry (finned or feathered) friends to join me outdoors on the church side lawn for a Blessing of the Animals Service on October 3. We’ll meet at 10:30 am, and there will be no online service that day.
Children’s Community Service, 10/16—We’ll gather outdoors from 9:30 to 11:30 am for one of the following: a litter walk to clean up a local sidewalk/trail or an activity in our church’s side yard (most likely, filling supply bags for people experiencing homelessness). If you have a preference, please let me know!
Peace be with you and yours,
Pastor Ellen