Category: Children and Youth

by Jeremy Clos

A group of 13 of Nativity’s high school students will embark on a transformative pilgrimage to the bustling city of New Orleans from June 11-16 guided by the theme of Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly. Centered on the principles of God’s liberating power and community building, this pilgrimage will delve into the heart of New Orleans, immersing the youth in experiences that challenge, inspire, and empower. This journey will have a profound impact on the lives of these young pilgrims.

During their time in New Orleans, the youth will engage in a half-day of service work with Renew Schools, an organization dedicated to transforming underperforming schools and providing quality education opportunities for all students.  This work will allow our youth to channel their energy into uplifting the lives of others. Through other acts of service, they will witness firsthand the transformative power of justice, mercy, and humble acts of kindness. Whether working with hurricane relief efforts in Lafitte, LA, or lending a helping hand at the Barataria Eco Preserve, their service will make a difference and deepen their understanding of God’s call to serve others and restore creation.

As the youth explore the rich history of New Orleans, they will confront hard truths about the past and present. A visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Slave at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church will serve as a poignant reminder of the deep wounds inflicted by slavery. Through reflection and dialogue, they will grapple with the legacy of exclusion, working towards a more inclusive and just society. They will also pay tribute to the victims of the tragic Upstairs Lounge fire, reminding them of the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance by the LGBTQIA+ community.

Unity and community-building will be at the core of this pilgrimage. The youth will share in the joy of cooking meals together, breaking bread as a symbol of solidarity and fellowship. They will gather in prayer, seeking God’s guidance and strength as they navigate the challenges and revelations of their journey. Through teamwork and collaboration, they will witness the power of working together towards a common goal, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Finally, after days of meaningful engagement, the youth will have a day to explore and appreciate the beauty of New Orleans. They will embark on a swamp tour, encountering the wonders of God’s creation and reflecting on the interconnectedness of all life. The iconic Jackson Square, with the historic St. Louis Cathedral at its heart, and the surrounding environs will offer an opportunity for both contemplation and fun. Finally, they will culminate their pilgrimage with a jazz dinner cruise on the historic Steamboat Natchez, celebrating the vibrant culture and spirit of New Orleans.

As these 13 young people and their three chaperones, Reverend Phillip Bass, Jeremy Clos, and Anne Krouse embark on this profound journey, we ask the parish to uplift them in prayer. Pray for their safety, open hearts, and minds, that they may be vessels of God’s love and agents of liberation. Pray that their experiences in New Orleans shape their faith, deepen their understanding of justice and mercy, and empower them to walk humbly in service to others following the example of Jesus Christ.

This journey to New Orleans is not merely a trip but a true pilgrimage. Through service, encounters with hard truths, communal activities, and exploration, they will witness God’s liberating power and forge connections that will last a lifetime. Let us join together in prayer, supporting and uplifting these young pilgrims as they embark on this experience.

We have some exciting changes to our Children’s Formation time during the seasons of Lent and Easter. Pre-K and all elementary-aged* children will have their formation time during the 10:30 am worship service. They will be with us in church until the Collect (the weekly prayer that sums up the focus of our liturgy for the week), and then Rev. Stephanie will invite the children to come to the center aisle for a short talk (our weekly children’s sermon). After that, the children will go with Rev. Stephanie and the teachers to Curry Hall to further engage with the stories of Jesus. (Don’t worry, Rev. Stephanie will come back to the Nave after she gets them started!)

Storymakers, a curriculum created for children and their imaginations, offers a special Lent program that invites our children to enter into God’s story. During the season of Lent, our children will be hearing the same stories of Jesus that we hear in church: Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus’ encounters with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus healing a blind man, and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. They will enter the story through art and storytelling; they will spend time identifying where they see emotion and prayer within the story; and they will retell the story in their own words using the materials of their choice: crayons, clay, pipe cleaners, finger paint, markers, etc.

The children will rejoin the congregation during the Offertory so that they are with us for the Eucharist. Hopefully this will allow space for our younger members to engage with the stories of Jesus that the older members of the congregation are hearing. 

Each week, the Glad Tidings will include the art that the children will use to begin their storymaking and some discussion points that grown-ups may use to engage their young ones in the story — either before or after church. 

— Rev. Stephanie

*Pre-K includes ages 3-5, and elementary is Kindergarten through 5th grade.