Session 5: The Church

We considered what was most important to us in Church.
We had different answers
- Singing!
- Meeting God
- Learning & praying
- Even relaxing.

WE ARE THE CHURCH
We are the BODY of Christ. We thought about our gifts and what part of the body that represented.

• Some chose FEET - for dancing, for visiting people
• Some chose EYES - for noticing people in need
• Some chose the THROAT - for singing
• Some chose a MOUTH - for reading in church
• Some chose an ARM - for making friends, for comforting.

Session 5: Communion - breaking bread

Rolls and loaves went into the oven, while we talked about the significance of this special meal

Not just remembering Jesus' last meal with his friends, his body broken and blood shed on the cross; but celebrating the resurrection, Jesus' presence with us as we receive the bread and the wine.

We stood around the Lady Chapel altar and learnt about the preparation for holy communion.

We knelt at the high altar and practised receiving the bread and the wine.

Session 5: Communion - making bread (2)

Kneading wasn't easy at the start - too much liquid was added! 

Session 5: Communion - making bread (1)

Rubbing in was the easy bit!

Session 4: Learning more about prayer

PRAYER
 - we don't always have to use words. In SILENCE we can come close to God. It's comfortable to sit in stillness and at peace with someone who knows and loves you.
Mary sat at Jesus' feet, but Martha was too busy rushing around

 - we can pray through the day, as we go through our tasks and routines knowing that Jesus is bedside us, wanting the best for us.

We tried a Prayer Walk around the church and linked it to
getting up in the morning (the creche area),
washing and getting ready for the day (at the font),
going out into the world (standing at the door of the church),
the daily events and situations (walking down the aisle),
coming home (being blessed at the altar),
settling down for the night (lighting a candle as a symbol of Jesus' presence with us as we sleep)

Try praying as you walk

• Praise for God's creation
• Thanks for your health
• Peace to those you meet

and lots more ......

Session 4: Using the Bible (2)

Here we are talking about different bible verses and making our choices (I think!)

Session 4: Using the Bible (1)

Jo told us that one of her most helpful bible passages was from the book of the prophet Jeremiah, chapter 27, beginning at verse 11: "for surely I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for harm...."
We were then encouraged to look at verses in the bible that were special to us.
Keep on reading, because God's word is "a lamp for our feet and a light for our path".

Session 3: Fruits of the Spirit

We thought about which fruits of the Spirit were missing in our lives and wrote prayers asking for God's help.

Session 3: Holy Spirit activities

Rachel helps with the bible study and Vickie encourages us to create our own symbols for the altar frontal.

Session 3: Holy Spirit

Here are some clues we made up for a "Who am I? " quiz.

• I am part of God
• I represent God
• I give power to people
• I'm part of the Holy Trinity
• I am seated by God
• I am invisible
• I am shown as a flame
• I am shown as a dove
• I was present at Jesus baptism

After we had done some bible study and thought about the "Fruits of the Spirit" we came up with these other clues:

• I help people speak so others understand
• We show him in our lives

Try this out on your friends (perhaps change the order!)
Think of some other clues.
What gifts does the Holy Spirit give? see Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 12

Cygnet October Meeting Report by Kathryn

The Truman Show

Recently we watched the Truman show at youth club.  The Truman show is a film about a man named Truman Burbank, his life seems completely normal, but little does he know that his whole life is a reality TV show, his every move broadcasted on live TV to the whole world. The film raised some very interesting questions and opinions. Here are a few:

     The director of the reality TV show was playing God.

     How could he be so cruel?

     How much control do we have over our own lives?

     Why did Truman not notice that whenever he tried to leave the town something got in the way?

     How far can you ever trust anyone?

     No one stopped to think about how Truman might feel about it.

     The director was so mean he was prepared to let Truman die for the sake of a TV series.

Session 2: Who do you say I am?

We looked at different crosses and had a thoughtful discussion about Jesus' death and resurrection.

We asked ourselves the same question Jesus asked the disciples at Caesarea Philippi:

Who do YOU say I am? 

We made different responses:

• The Son of God
• Messiah
• Everything important
• A person
• the gate
• life
• ...... and more

Keep thinking about this question, other thoughts may come into your mind.

Session 2: I am the vine

Each group interpreted one statement.
Here we are practising a mime for "I am the vine"
I think Rachel is breathing some life into the branches!

Session 2: Jesus said, "I am .....

In groups we considered what Jesus said about himself. What does it mean to us?
Here are some of your thoughts:
- I am the Good Shepherd: feeds, protects, leads us; knows each one of us; finds us when we get lost
- I am the Light of the World: keeps darkness away; brings happiness; we can see the way forward
- I am the way, the truth and the life: follow him; he shows us the way to God's kingdom
- I am the gate for the sheep: he welcomes us in; he protects us; way in / way out
- I am the vine: links us together; provides what we need to grow
- I am the resurrection and the life: with you in life and death; gives life; is life
- I am the bread of life: he nourishes us; he gives us all we need to live; food for your spirit and soul
You may have further thoughts about these.

Session 2: Who is Jesus?

Rachel led the ice-breaker - is Jesus "God" or "man"?

We used the space  in the Chapel (after moving the chairs) ; take left side for "man", right side for "God"; stay in centre if uncertain.
Consider these:

• Jesus is born
• Jesus turns water into wine
• Jesus gets angry
• Jesus calms the storm
• Jesus enjoys sharing a meal with his friends
• Jesus dies on a cross
• Jesus is deeply upset when his friend Lazarus dies
• Jesus rises from death 

What do you think?

Session1: Responses we made after the walk

LIPS: what we want to say to God our Creator
HANDS: what we can do for our world

Your thoughts on Session 1

K:

Hi Louise, here are a few scentences about session 1.

Psalm 139: I can never escape from your spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

I chose the this line from the psalm becaus I feel it is amazing how God is always watyching over you and is there all the time.

L:
thankyou
Rev louise says there was also a laughing (or singing) face, but it didn't copy across

Session 1: Reflecting on Psalm 139

Nearly dark, but we can still see the words of the psalm. Rachel reads and then we decide which words are important to us.

Session 1: The two chairs

Thinking about where we are in relation to God

Session 1: Enjoying our supper

Ever made a DIY pudding? We made our own creations!

Session 1: On our walk

It was jolly windy and we needed a bit of courage to cross a field with a skittish horse

Preparing for Session 1

PUBLICITY & PAPER WORK
Flyers delivered: "How can God be so great and still care for me?"
Notices about start of course in weekly Churn sheet and monthly magazines
Consent forms prepared and delivered, to be returned at first session!
Plan, design and print the full course schedule - times and dates of meetings; organise additional help

PLANNING
Rachel and Rev Louise meet to plan activities:

• WALK up the downs! and take in the wide view over the valley
• RESPOND to God's creation: how do we show our appreciation; what can we say, what can we do?
• CHAIR activity: where am I in relation to God now? Where do I want to be?
• SUPPER
• REFLECTION on Psalm 139; which phrase stands out to me?

SHOPPING
Sausages for hot dogs and DIY pudding, so need fruit, ice cream, meringues, sauces, flakes and sprinkles! Don't forget the drink, Louise