Religious Life News, Dec 8

First Hour This Sunday – Cookies!

Our Mitten tree is up and ready for your hats, mittens, scarves, and socks, as well as your personal items for CAIN. Scarf materials are still available if you missed our scarf creation last week.

Any adult, whether they are a caregiver for a child or not, is welcome to join in – it’s a great way to get to know the children in the congregation!

Throughout the holidays you are encouraged to donate hats, mittens, scarves, and SOCKS – socks are especially welcome – which will be donated to CAIN – Churches Active in Northside. For more information about CAIN: http://www.cainministry.org/index.html

Living Nativity This Sunday!

This Sunday will be a service centered around our no-rehearsal living nativity. During the story, each group of players will be called up to the stage during a hymn, have one line to say, then stay on the stage for the rest of the play. The goal is to have fun and enjoy the story!

All ages are encouraged to participate, costumes from home are encouraged, but costumes will also be available on the day.

You are encouraged to come to the chapel before service to get a costume or accessories, but those who arrive late will have the opportunity to go by the chapel during the service and put on a costume if they like.

What we will have and suggestions on what to bring from home are below.

  • Angels: I have at least five pairs of wings and three halos. You can show up in a white or plain dress and add one of these on Sunday. Wings and halos from home are also fine!
  • Shepherds: I have multiple pieces of fabric with a hole, that can be thrown over someones head and you can become a shepherd. Stuffed animals from home like sheep or dogs, or walking sticks, would be nice touches! I will have at least one sheepdog someone can hold.
  • Animals of every kind: Animal costumes of any kind are welcome. I will bring what I can from home – I will have a dinosaur and a unicorn costumes that fit a small child, and chicken and cow costumes that fit babies. Last year we had one child make her own horse costume from kitten ears and yarn, and another child came as a spider.
  • Wise folks: I have four crowns available, and fabric that can be thrown over clothes. However, “wise people” come in a variety of styles and shapes – you could have a discussion about what a “wise person” looks like, and help your child dress that way.

Contact Ashleigh Rhodes at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org or 303-478-4445 with questions or concerns. We’ll see you this Sunday!

Gingerbread House Party, Friday, Dec 13, 5-8pm – RSVP now!

Please come to our annual Gingerbread House Party in Krolfifer. All ages are welcome to create a house from a kit which provides the gingerbread pieces, frosting, and some candy. Bring your extra candy, sprinkles, chocolate bars, and your creativity! Holiday refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Now is the time to RSVP – please sign up in Krolfifer after the service this Sunday, or email Ashleigh Rhodes at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org by December 9. Also email Ashleigh if you’d like to bring snacks, help with decorations, or cleanup. Cost is $10 to cover the kits.

A Christmas Carol Dramatic Reading, Sunday, Dec 15

Our players are assembling – please contact Ashleigh Rhodes at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org ASAP if you’d like to have a large part!

Children will have the opportunity to participate in crowd parts up on the rug during the service – stay tuned for details.

Soup Mix Sales Continue!

Bean and rice soup mixes will be on sale for $5 throughout December. Please contact Ashleigh Rhodes at arhodes@stjohnsuu.org to volunteer to staff the table or arrange a purchase at another time. Proceeds benefit St. Johns’ work as a Solidarity Congregation with the sanctuary family at Clifton United Methodist Church. 

Blue Christmas First Hour Program, Sunday, December 22nd

The holidays can be a time of sadness if those we’d like to share it with are no longer with us, or if there are painful memories. Please join us for a compassionate listening space where we will hold difficult feelings brought up from anything about this season that is painful. Please contact Marie Inanli at marie@stjohnsuu.org with any questions.


Contact Information for Religious Life

  • Email Ashleigh Rhodes: arhodes@stjohnsuu.org.
  • Email Marie Inanli: marie@stjohnsuu.org.
  • To submit announcement, proposals for new programs, and any time you’re not sure which Co-Director you need, email programming@stjohnsuu.org.

First Hour Programs by Age Group

Babies through Preschool (ages 0 to 4)
Did you know? We have staffed childcare starting at 9:15 every Sunday in the nursery area in Krolfifer. Come attend an adult program and let us entertain your little ones. Generally this is aimed at the 0-4 set who aren’t old enough for other activities, but it’s open to other kids who want to just play during First Hour in most cases.

Elementary (ages 4 to 12)
Our fall class in Rosa Parks has ended. Children will instead participate in projects in Krolfifer – a different project will be the focus of each week. Parents are encouraged to stay and participate unless they are attending an adult program downstairs.

Teens (ages 12 to 18)
The teen group has shifted to meeting 2nd and 4th Sundays. This will start this Sunday, November 24 and continue through the holidays. The teens will decide with mentors whether to participate in projects in Krolfifer as a group, or meet elsewhere.

On other Sundays teens are encouraged to participate with projects in Krolfifer or attend adult programs.

Adult Programs

First Hour is about being together as a community. Note that Haehnle, our main hallway between the Sanctuary and Krolfifer, is always open for socializing and visiting. When Gandhi is not being used by Meditation and Movement, we encourage you to use that space for self-guided meditation or yoga.

Money Stories – Dec. 8, Dec.15
Please select one of these dates to join in a discussion about emotional ties to money based on personal life stories. Melissa Rowland will facilitate these sessions. During the Next Steps weekend, our consultant, Rachel Maxwell, recommended these conversations in preparation for
St. John’s capital campaign.

Meditation and Movement – 2nd and 4th Sundays (Next is Dec. 8th)
Want to start off the new week in a peaceful and purposeful way? Try our First Hour offering for teens and adults. Participants will spend time in mindful meditation and gentle movement. No pre-registration required. Please drop by Gandhi to improve your well-being.
Led by Christine Mouch.

Blue Christmas – Dec. 22
A compassionate space for difficult feelings the holidays may bring. See longer notice earlier on this page.