Letter to Parents from Children’s Minister Ann Enkiri
Dearest Families,
Let us begin in prayer, “The Lord be with you!”
During this unprecedented time, when we are experiencing a suspension or warping of ordinary time—school-day, work-a-day time—we have a unique opportunity to dip into sacred time, our creator’s time. Prayer at one or more designated times—morning, midday, evening—may both anchor us and liberate us, connecting us with God’s Spirit and with one another. Children, needing routine and structure in their day, seeking a new “regular”, might especially benefit from regular family prayer times. When we are feeling close to God and to one another in prayer, we may be able to express worries and fears, offer comforts and consolations, share peace and joy, experience the sacred right at home and in our own backyards.
In a box below are two abbreviated family prayer services for Wednesday– midday prayer and evening prayer. I have excerpted them from Common Prayer for Children and Families by Jenifer Gamber & Timothy J. S. Seamans, Copyright 2019. Available (and highly recommended) here. Please consider praying together this afternoon or evening as Christ Episcopal Church Kensington offers Evening Prayer through Zoom at 6:30 pm.
We will be offering Sunday morning Children’s Chapel via an email link. We also hope to invite your families to join together virtually for some Godly Play Story Circles and other Sharing Sessions. Please email me if you would like to help with this new online ministry!
The Episcopal Church has done a wonderful job of compiling online resources for family use at home. Please explore them and share with me particular ones that you find helpful. I have highlighted in yellow a few of my favorites. Please click on this link to find all of the resources listed with hyperlinks in the box below:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free Resources from Church Publishing
Keeping Faith at Home
Coronavirus, Anxiety, Children And The Church
Connected in Common
Faith at Home
Watch a Godly Play Story at home
Tucked in Bedtime Stories and Prayers
Illustrated Ministry Free Resources
Lesson Plans that Work
Bible Studies that Work and Sermons that W
D365 for Youth
Way of Love Resources
Scripture and Art
Wednesday Midday Prayer
(All pray boldface words, or children may repeat after reader.)
Opening
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, be swift to help us.
Glory to the Holy One: God beyond us, God with us, and God within us, As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Scripture
Anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask. —James 1:5
Collect
Thank you, God, for your power and wisdom.
We give you thanks with our voices.
Wednesday Evening Prayer
Opening
God Almighty grant us a peaceful night; and a perfect end.
Pause for 10 seconds of holy silence.
The angels of God guard us through the night,
and lead us to heavenly peace.
Light and peace, in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Thanks be to God
Reflecting on the Day
Where did you sense God shining in your life today?
Where did you shine your light?
The Lord’s Prayer Pray together
Excerpted from: Common Prayer for Children and Families by Jenifer Gamber & Timothy J. S. Seamans, Copyright 2019. Available (and highly recommended) here.