St. Andrew's Sunday School

Sunday, May 18

Happy Long Weekend Everyone!

I hope you get to enjoy the abounding beauty of God's creation this weekend.

Recently I have been reminded of the 'lovingkindness song' from VBS in the summer of 2021.  I've come across this 'lovingkindness' meditation in a number of things I've been reading lately and am able to sing along with the words.  This is something you can do to help you practice compassion for yourself and others.  How this meditation or prayer works is to say the lines, (that vary slightly in different traditions), out loud or in your head and picture sending love out to yourself, to your loved ones and then to the world. You may even choose a challenging relationship, and picture that person in your mind as you say the words.  It's a simple but helpful method of shifting your gaze and intentions to love. 

May I be happy,                May you be happy,

May I be healthy,             May you be healthy,

May I be safe,                    May you be safe,

May I be at peace.           May you be at peace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfCa2U_dW9I&list=PLzUtkhX3jwlE8R9dFnwlzBrFBaLUhCRXE&index=1

Compassion Camp: The Lovingkindness Song - YouTube

We'll definitely try it together at our next PA Day compassion camp on June 6th.  Let me know if you try it with your family.  

Thanks to Aisling, Heather Pilkey and Jonathan for teaching last week. 

This week, after worship we'll be making signs for the race weekend table.  Come one and all for some artsy fun in Grant Hall.

Coming up:

Something Different- May 25 is a race weekend when the roads will be closed around the church so we will be worshipping at 1pm that day.  It's the last Sunday of the month so we will still be having our potluck lunch at noon.  There will be a table set up in front of the church to welcome visitors and volunteers.  Come between nine and noon to cheer them on!

Youth Sleepover- May 31 7pm for grades 5- 12.

PA Day Compassion Camp- Friday June 6.  This is a day off for the OCDSB and the CEPEO.  We are looking forward to another great PA Day Camp.  You are encouraged to try it out if you haven't before, come with a friend, or come and be a junior leader (grades 6 and up).  Let me know if you'd like to help out or have any questions.  

Church Picnic!  June 8 we celebrate our Church School teachers in worship and with a meal afterwards.  There will be good food, and friendly competition with traditional picnic games in the courtyard.  It's like our end of year party at church and the more people who come, the more fun it will be.  

Summer Church School -Do you have a Sunday in the summer when you could share your time with the Church School?  Our faithful teachers take a break in the summer months and we invite families to take a turn while they're away.  Lesson plans are provided and it is a lot of fun.  Please let me know if you're interested.

Wishing you all happiness, health, safety and peace,

Rev. Heather Paton