Classes for kids in pre-school through sixth grade will begin at 9 a.m. on Sept. 18, our "Kick Off Sunday." Yes, there will be prizes for everyone who attends that day! We'll also be making some changes to the Rotation routine - keep reading.

The theme of the year for grades Pre-K through grade 4 will be "Great Beginnings." We'll return to the very beginning with the Creation Story found in Genesis ch. 1. Not as a science text but as a God text, we'll look at God's love for the world and his declaration that it's all good. (Now, how do we take better care of it?)

Teachers will be pleased to know that we've finally reached the point when we can go back to our great beginnings, eight years ago, and use the projects designed for our first Rotation Workshops in 2003.

Another great beginning (we hope): our oldest kids, entering grades 5 &6, will be starting a new class I've dubbed "The Acting Apostles." Since this group of students has proven their interest in drama and music, they'll be preparing one-act shows to present at the 10 a.m. service every six weeks or so. We'll start upstairs in the Scripture Tent, but also have sessions for creating our costumes and props, rehearsing a song, etc.

Adults interested in helping with any of these classes are urged to get in touch with me soon. The Rotation Workshops will only require two weeks per subject this time. The Acting Apostles will be a six-week stint, though you could help in a particular area for just a week or two.

This year is going to be soooo good! Why not invite a family to join you at church this fall? The enclosed pamphlet describes what we offer - it's for you to share with a friend. I'll also have special prizes for kids who bring friends to Church School... We've got the gifts to grow, so let's get started!

                                               In Christ's love,

                                                Mother Susan

Church School families were mailed a survey in early August.  We want your input, so PLEASE return the survey to the church office soon! (Don't remember receiving a survey? or maybe where you put it?  Call the church office at 483-6405 and we'll mail you another survey!)

Rite 13- (For grades 7-8)

Our Sunday morning class for older middle school students. We have a great year planned for this class as we begin preparing them to move from childhood into adolescents and beyond. This year Miguel Covarrubias is teaching this class. This class meets every Sunday morning at 9am beginning September 18th!

J2A -   (For grades 9-11)

This is our Sunday morning class for younger high school students. This class prepares students for just what the name says the "Journey to Adulthood". We returned from a great pilgrimage this last summer, and we will begin preparing the next class to be going on their pilgrimage in 2 years. This year Matt and Cathy Smith will be teaching the J2A class. J2A meets every Sunday morning at 9am beginning September 18th!

The Adult Forum has experienced a delightful rejuvenation with the hard work of its planning committee, which has met several times during the summer. With great discussion and debate, a wonderful plan for the Adult Forum is taking shape. The Forum will begin with a special session on September 11th. On that day the discussion will surround the theme:"9/11/01 - 9/11/11: What has changed? How have you changed?"

The following week, Forum will then officially kick-off the program year with a series entitled "What in the World is Going On?" by taking a look at disaster preparedness, and why are there so many more disasters that seem to be almost cataclysmic. We'll look at not only "natural" disasters, but also those that are social/cultural. On Sunday, September 18th we will have a presentation on disaster preparedness. We'll look at what has been put in place in our post 9/11 and also what if there were an earthquake in Jamestown or an epidemic of some kind. We will also look at what religion may or may not have to do with any of it.

As we progress into the autumn, a few "lighter" subjects will be discussed. We look forward to a presentation from the folks who took their pilgrimage to England this past summer.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or suggestions regarding the Adult Forum, please speak to any member of the Forum Planning Committee: Janet Card, Linda Dawson, Peter Dawson, Jim Holton, Paul Johnson, Paula Pickett, or myself. Plus if you have any questions or suggestions regarding Adult Formation in general, please talk to me.

        Thanks and God's peace be with you all

                            Barbara Bumsted 

We'll begin our new schedule with Wednesday, September 14th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, each Wednesday evening.  The VOICE of St Luke's is coming in the mail with details of all that is going on for church school classes, youth group and adult forums and retreat news.  Keep watch!