Formation

After a year in the discernment process, I received my letter of recognition as a formation leader for Level I of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd last December!  I have been anxiously awaiting my copy of the formation leaders handbook which was under revision.  It is finally in my hands  :)  I am excited to continue this journey of spiritual formation now with the new opportunity to help show other adults the joys of working with children in the Catechesis.

CGS Formation Leader Retreat

On retreat in Atlanta this week with fellow catechists and formation leaders

 exploring and contemplating the experience of the 6-9 year old child in the atrium,

 and experiencing the endless gifts of God...

One Amazing Day

5 trips to Memphis in the past 10 months

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10 nights in a hotel room with 2 friends

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15 days away from husband and kids

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56 presentations

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120 hours of class time

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countless past and future hours of writing album pages, discussing adaptations and 

making materials

1 amazing formation leader who joyfully shared her wisdom and guidance

4 different faith traditions

9 amazing women who shared this journey of spiritual formation

66 (catechesis aged) children (and counting) in our parish who make it all worthwhile

WE DID IT!!!!!  

Back in Formation

We are back with Donna this weekend enjoying another session of CGS Level 3 Formation.  

While there are many areas that will need a lot of adaptation, it is nice to find those moments when the word of God speaks and we all hear the message as one.  Those moments often come in the exploration of the parables, and the Level 3 parables have been a beautiful experience.

We pondered the beauty and importance of forgiveness in the parable of the debtors, the incredible grace of God who offers the light to all and the responsibility we have in responding to that grace through the parables of the 10 Bridesmaids and the Wedding Feast,

and the glorious Paschal words of St. John Chrysostom came echoing in our hearts and minds as we read together the parable of the workers in the vineyard.  One last day and we will be headed home, but it is such a joyful time to spend immersed in learning and looking forward to bringing these presentations back home to our older children in the church.

Did you know?

Did you know there is a miniature church sitting on the altar which holds the reserved consecrated Gifts for the sick and those unable to commune on Sunday?  Did you know that the light you see always burning on the altar is called the presence lamp, and that it is there to remind us that Christ is physically present upon that altar always?  Did you know we bow and cross ourselves when we enter the church, pass in front of the altar, and leave the church in order to acknowledge and reverence that we are standing in the presence of Christ every time we enter the church?  Did you know there is a beautiful golden silk cloth with an icon of Christ in the tomb called the antimins, and it is upon this the Gifts are placed when they are being consecrated?  Did you know that the Gospel book has an icon of the crucifixion on the front, and the Resurrection on the back, and that the back is always placed up on Sunday since we are taking part in the Resurrection every Sunday?  Did you know there is a "star" that is placed over the bread before it is consecrated?  I spent the last few weeks creating the cards for our altar works for the Level 2 children in our catechesis, and these are just a few of the things these children will be coming to understand in the atrium.  It has been such a joy to experience working with these older ones, they bring a different kind of delight into the atrium.  

Necessity, the mother of new skills

Yeah, I now know how to use a scroll saw.  Chalk it up to the lack of volunteer talent within our parish, the determination of a handful of catechists, and one parishioner with a father who had an old saw and no use for it!  Woodworking has never been a hobby I exactly longed to explore, but freedom from begging others or paying for the many little pieces needed for all of the parable work in the atrium is something I CAN APPRECIATE!   And maybe in my spare time I could tackle a few projects from Wee Folk Art.   Ok, maybe not anytime soon, but a girl can dream.

Wisdom from Little Ones

There are moments that make me smile, and moments that make me stop and realize how little I understand.  And there are children who seem to be restless, unable to settle into the atrium.  They wiggle, don't look at me and seem to be in another world when receiving a presentation.  Then out of their mouths come some of the most beautiful and profound words, and I realize that no, they aren't listening to me, thank the Lord.  Rather they are hearing the sweet whispers of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.  They can tune to those whispers easier than I, they have fewer obstructions blocking their vision, their hearts are more open.  Those are the moments when all the work is forgotten.  Those are the moments when all the frustrations, complaints, broken materials, and long hours disappear.  Those are the moments I learn to be still and to listen with them.  And when I stop, and listen with them, these are the things I am blessed to hear:

A child at the baptism area, lighting his candle over and over again:

"They had light, and more lights, and no dark.  Had a meal, then it was night and they went to bed.  It was all light so no hurtness could be around.  Seven candles, then they had light in the world, but not the sun."

A third year child crossing himself as he prays in the baptismal area

Another morning a child sang these words while lighting his candle:

"Light, light, light.

God is good.

He loves us, He loves us.

Spirit."

A second year child at the Mystical Supper materials

Months later, that same child, a four year old boy, spent 20 minutes at the model altar, asking me to sing song after song.  Then he completed his work and went over to the baptism area.  Once his baptismal candle was lit, he stood before the table for several minutes, lifting his light up into the air over his head, singing softly over and over again:

"My light is growing, my light is growing."

301. wiggly, jumpy little boys
302. sweet words from children
303. unconditional love from little ones
305. brutal honesty because all they know to tell you is the truth
306. children who don't worry about how poorly I sing, and instead can hear the beauty of the words in spite of my inability to carry a tune
307. mornings in the atrium, where I too can learn to slow down and be still, and know that He is God

Counting Blessings from the Holy Spirit: Pentecost in the Atrium

(249)  two years of learning to slow down and just BE with our children

Pentecost marked the end of our second year of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in our parish.   The atrium year is scheduled to end with the day of Pentecost, and it is considered an important event for the children in the catechesis.

a first year child contemplates a tiny

mustard seed in her hand

Since we wish for the atrium to become a doorway into the spiritual and liturgical life for our children, Pentecost is the culminating celebration within the yearly liturgical cycle of time in the atrium.  (250)  Over the past year, we have pondered the wonders of God's creation through the power within a mustard seed, the smallest and humblest of seeds, but which becomes a magnificent tree in which the birds of the air nest.   (251)  With the oldest ones, I have considered the transformative nature of the grain of wheat which is sown and grows, the farmer knows not how;  that seed which must first go into the ground and die, but which when it dies then grows into a plant brimming with new seeds, (252)  new life.  Over and over we have heard proclaimed the message of the angels, "Do not be afraid," as each time they visited and prepared others for the coming of the Light.

the baptism area of the atrium

I watched as the children stood before the Paschal candle, lighting their own candle in remembrance of their day of baptism, reminding them that (253) Christ came to share that light with each of them.  We hear about the wonderful gifts of baptism; (254) light, (255) a garment of white, (256) new life by the power of the cross, (257) the oils of gladness and (258) holy chrism, which mark each of us as part of the flock of the Good Shepherd, and ultimately (259) the gift of the Holy Spirit which is given to each of us in the waters of baptism.

a catechist lighting baptismal candles for a group of children

As we moved about the room last Sunday, our rooms were full of both children and joy.  We delighted in having everyone together as the Wednesday evening session kids joined the Sunday morning celebration.  (260) The hum of busyness was evident, as each quickly found work, doing a surprisingly good job of moving about in rooms that now held a total of (261) 42 children rather than the normal 30 for Sunday morning!  About 15 minutes into our morning, a few children wished for the Paschal candle to be lit.  They each lit their own candles, and stood around the baptismal font.  Before long, a crowd of six or seven children were drawn to the area, and spontaneously they began to softly sing "Christ is Risen" as they raised their candles high in the air.  We the catechists quietly observed, as the children held their own little Paschal vigil!

When it came time to gather together for our Pentecost celebration, their Paschal celebration was still ongoing.  The children put out their candles and joined us.  Our time together at the prayer table was marked by (262)  multiple interruptions, of the most beautiful kind.  In sharing the events of Pentecost, every time the catechist made the statement Christ died, and He is Risen, it was followed by joyful spontaneous responses of "He is Risen indeed, let us adore his third day resurrection,"  immediately followed by a singing of "Christ is Risen" - completely child initiated and led.   The children heard how the disciples were afraid after Jesus ascended, and that he promised to send a Comforter.  Together we listened to the words of the scripture, as the rush of wind and flames of fire descended upon them as they received the Holy Spirit.  We heard how (263) when the Holy Spirit comes, people are transformed.  The disciples were no longer afraid, they could now boldly proclaim the truth of the Resurrection to all, for they were filled with the Holy Spirit.   When the gifts of the Holy Spirit were presented and explained, one child called out "It's just like the gifts of baptism!"

the prayer table set for Pentecost

And while words such as (264-270) Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Fear of the Lord, and Delight may seem above the heads of these little ones, when they were allowed to come and choose a gift of the Holy Spirit they would like to receive by lighting a candle, they thoughtfully considered each of those words.  Many of the boys were drawn to the gift of Might, Strength.  One girl went straight to Delight, because in her words "That means joy!"  One five year old stood in front of the word Counsel,  and softly uttered the name of the gift as she lit her candle, then remained standing there silently gazing at that light for several minutes.

the gifts of the Holy Spirit, represented with word cards and candles

 They wanted to see which gifts their catechists would select.  They wanted to compare, who was asking for Knowledge, which of them wanted Wisdom?  When we pondered why God would want to give us these gifts, (271) they replied with comments such as "because He loves us," "because he doesn't want us to be afraid of Him," "because he wants us to know him."  They wanted to sing joyfully in thanksgiving for the great Gift of the Holy Spirit.  Their enthusiasm even carried over into the morning homily.  When Father questioned if this day "was to be a day of fear, or a day of joy?"  One 3 year old boy in the back called out in response, "a day of joy!"

the children enter the church with their flower offering

Our time in the atrium ends with the procession into church.  Each child is given a flower to bring as their gift.  It is their offering back, their thanksgiving, both to God and to the parish. (272) They are a part of this body of Christ with each of us, and they are learning how to become more a part of that body.  

one of the 8 year olds places her flower at the feet of the icon of Christ

Graduation!

Here is our team of fellow catechists in training and formation leaders, minus Donna Turner who was behind the camera.

We received our certificates for level 2 this afternoon!  The beautiful Good Shepherd medallions were gifts from our formation leaders and came from Rome.  And, only a catechist would get excited about this, but we each got a beautiful candle snuffer and a box of beautifully covered matches  :)

And to go with our celebration cake, we all sipped on a sparkling white wine, appropriately named "Sofia".

Sunday of Orthodoxy in the Atrium

The atrium is the term for the prepared space for children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  It was the term the ancient church used to refer to the place of preparation for the catechumens, those being prepared in the faith.  On the first Sunday of Lent, we talked with the children about the Sunday of Orthodoxy.   Additional icons were placed all around the room, and we gathered at the prayer table.   Each child was given time to walk around the room and select a favorite icon, and a few children had icons they brought from home.  The icons were all placed on and around the prayer table, and each icon and its story was considered.  The term "windows into heaven" was introduced in relation to icons, and we joyfully proclaimed together 

"This is the faith of the Apostles, this is the faith of the Fathers, this is the faith of the Orthodox, this is the faith which has established the Universe!"

On Becoming an Orthodox Theologian

As we slowly work our way through implementing and adapting the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, I find myself constantly looking to better understand the differences between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic faiths.  Growing up a Reformed Protestant, I do understand the western mindset (and still struggle to overcome it!), but I knew very little truth concerning the Roman Catholic Church.  To faithfully represent Orthodoxy in the Catechesis, I must first understand the faith in which it is rooted.  It also means I am searching to better understand the teachings of the Orthodox Church.  The result, I find that my google searches often look something like this: "catholicism and theosis",  "orthodoxy and baptism", "catholic rite of baptism" etc.   Now, before you take the title of this post to imply that I consider myself on the road to becoming an Orthodox theologian, let me assure you, that is the opposite of my message here.  In my searching, I ran across an interesting statement concerning theology in the Orthodox church, one that I am sure we could all hold as a good reminder, any time we consider ourselves becoming "knowledgeable" about the faith.  


"Orthodox theology is of an explicitly mystical character. Theology in the Eastern Orthodox church is what is derived from saints or mystics of the tradition, and Eastern Orthodox consider that 'no one who does not follow the path of union with God can be a theologian'.  In Eastern Orthodoxy, theology is not treated as an academic pursuit, but it is based on revelation, meaning that Orthodox theology and its theologians are validated by ascetic pursuits, rather than academic degrees."


Once more I am reminded of how little I understand.  Once again I am reminded of the danger of 'studying' the Orthodox faith, rather than living it.  How easy it is to learn about the faith.  How easy to impress others with a list of deeply spiritual books read, or well thought out arguments, or carefully written blog posts.  What is the "proof" of Orthodox faith?  Our life.  How we live.  How we act.  What we say.  What we do.  How the light of Christ shines forth from us as from the saints.  Our humility.   How we dance with God.   

Busy Week

It's been a busy week around here - today was the 11th day of training for Catechesis this summer, with 3 more to go next week.  Wednesday means certification! 

Today was a materials making day - our intrepid group spent the morning building the walls of Jerusalem, using the above as our model, we set to work figuring out how to recreate it!

I am pretty sure when we signed on, none of us realized it was going to mean an education in woodworking!  Here are two catechists who are now quite proficient with a mitre saw.  Next up, learning how to use a scroll saw!

It's beginning to come together -  

And our amazing formation leaders spent the day painting puzzles pieces and Good Shepherd materials for us.

Conversation at Checkout

Clerk: Oh, fun, oyster shooters, huh?
Me: um, no, they are for our Sunday School program.
Clerk:  Uh, interesting.  I bet you get some looks from the parents in your church!

Catechesis

I promised a while back I would share what is happening within our church Sunday School program.  It is a long story, one which is just in the opening chapter of being written, but I will try to share what I can.  A few years ago a friend asked me if I knew anything about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  I did not, but promptly began to search the internet.  Sadly, information seemed sparse.  I could not get a handle on what it was.  I also only saw it within the context of the Catholic and Episcopalian faiths. I was not aware of the existence of an Orthodox church using the program.  I did however like the use of objects and figures to aid in sharing the faith.  That, along with my love for Waldorf methods, led me to purchase a few items to use with my children, and also inspired the creation of my Holy Week Boxes.

  All of this was simmering in my mind, as well as numerous conversations with our church school director over her frustrations with the current Sunday School curriculum.  We both were blessed to travel to Pennsylvania last March for the St. Emmelia Conference (planning to be there again this year, hope to see some of you there!).  It was there that we attended a presentation and workshop on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd within the Orthodox church.  We were blown away.  I admit, I had my reservations at first.  As a classical method homeschooler, I was not a fan of Montessori education, and CGS is based on Montessori methods.  But our director was sold.  Her enthusiasm was contagious and by the time we got home, we were conspiring on how in the world we could manage to get trained and implement this program.  It was a daunting task.  Training for Level 1 (children ages 3-6) involved roughly 3 weeks of intensive coursework, not to mention the long term commitment from our parish for the implementation of this program and the talents of many parishioners to create the necessary materials.  We were greatly blessed that our priest, after hearing an explanation of the program, was as excited as we were.  We all saw this as an opportunity to truly raise a group of children in our church in an Orthodox way; using all of the senses, apealling to the heart of each child, presenting opportunity after opportunity for each child to fall in love with Christ, perhaps taking a journey with these children that would lead both us and them to true heart prayer with God. 

So what makes Catechesis different from traditonal Sunday School methods?  Let me share with you one of the first lessons we learned in training.  The word "catechism," from the Greek and having roots in the meaning of "to sound down,"  has come to mean "an elementary book containing a summary of the principles of the Christian religion, especially as maintained by a particular church, in the form of questions and answers."  One frustration I have heard voiced by those searching for answers about the Orthodox church is that there is no single standard catechism parallel to the Westminster Confession of Faith .  We are not a faith of legalism and rules.

"Catechesis", also from the Greek, means "oral instruction, to teach by word of mouth".  That defines the Orthodox faith in so many ways.  That is one of the ways we are so different from the Protestant church.  We uphold Scripture as Holy, infallible, the Word of God.  We also have preserved and passed down the oral tradition of Christ and the disciples for millenia.  After all, it wasn't until the third century that the New Testament came to exist in its recognized format.  What did those amazing Christians of the first few centuries rely upon?  These are the men and women under Nero, Decius, Diocletian, the faithful who were torn to pieces by animals, burned alive, beheaded for their undying love for Christ.  They did it all without a Bible.  How did they learn the faith?  Oral tradition.  The handing down of precious words, the passing on of Holy Truths.  The instilling of a burning love for Christ and a desire to give all for Him.

So, how do we carry on that oral tradition?  And how do we reach the hearts of our children?  How do we teach them more than knowledge?  As a parent and teacher, I can make my children learn their multiplication tables.  I can stand over them and require they read a book.  I can make them learn a scientific formula. I can even teach them the "rules" and the "catechism" of the faith.   I will never be able to make them love God.  I can only pass along the faith, and pray that it reaches their heart.  Catechesis is a method of presenting love for God that seeks to reach that heart.  It zeros in on the things that appeal to the heart and senses of a child.  It teaches them of the deep love Christ has for them as their Good Shepherd, one who cares for them, loves them always, knows them by name, and will leave all others to go find them when they are lost. 

And it cannot be passed on through two-color printed pamphlets, or memory work, or the parroting back of answers for a teacher.  It must be passed on in an intimate manner, soul to soul, and it affects the teller as much as the listener.  Each time I prepare to enter the room, to hand down another tiny and amazing piece of our faith, I am humbled.  I do not carry the faith these little ones have.  I do not have the same wonder about the creation they still possess.  I must work to remember to give thanks for the things that delight a child.  And as I watch a 4 year old hold a tiny mustard seed in her hand, and ask me over and over again to read from scripture the parable of the mustard seed, and I watch as she stares at that seed, contemplates it, composes songs about its journey from tiny seed buried deep in the earth to great branches spreading forth for the birds, I deeply feel the words of Matthew 18:3: 

 "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

This catechesis is as much for me as it is for them. 

NOTE:

If you are interested in more information about catechesis in the Orthodox church, you can go here.  Under the direction of her priest and with the blessing of Bishop JOSEPH, Seraphima Butler has been a pioneer, working for nearly 10 years to become trained in these methods while adapting them to the Orthodox faith.  I also hope to continue to share a few more bits and pieces of my experience soon.  You might also want to sign up for the online Orthodox conference hosted by Illumination Learning, where Seraphima will be speaking about CGS in the Orthodox church.

Making a Cave

Need a cave for your nativity set?  Here was our solution.

2 sheets of foam core board

roughly sketched cliff lines

a box cutter and a very sore arm

lots of elm*r's glue

paper cl*y

paint (okay, so the paint job is incomplete, but we need these for tomorrow morning in Sunday School, so they will do until next week when I can do a better job :)

add a few figures, and we are good to go! 

(I did NOT paint the beautiful figures, an artist friend from church painted them for us!)

I like the cave so much, I may do one for our home nativity set, since these must go live at church now.  Interested in how they will be used?  Next week I will share all about the beautiful transformation that has occurred in childrens' religious education at our church since August.