Kairos ("God's time") is the name for

St. Matthew's Church School program for children age 3 ½  through grade 8

Kairos Kalendar

Jan 29 Lessons Feb 5   Feb12   Feb 19 (long weekend - Presidents' Day Feb 22 Children's Ash Wednesday Service @ 4:30 pm Feb 26   Mar 4 Lent 1 Mar 11 Lent 2  - Daylight Saving Time begins Mar 18 Lent 3 Mar 25 Lent 4 Apr 1 Palm Sunday Apr 6 Children's Good Friday Service; 3:00 pm Apr 8 EASTER Apr 15   Apr 22 Eucharist Instruction - 2nd grade Apr 29 Eucharist Instruction - 2nd grade May 6 FWS May13 Mother's Day May 20   May 27 Pentecost Memorial Day weekend Jun 3 Kairos Staff Appreciation Sunday Trinity Sunday Jun10   Jun 17 Father's Day Jun 24 Summer Service begins

Morning Routine

Our Sunday mornings begin at 9:45 am with a Welcoming Time in each classroom. Classes begin at 10:00 am.  Primary age children will participate in classroom activities along with their lessons including: art response and feast time which has them in the classroom for the entire service.   We ask that parents pick their children up from their classroom promptly following the conclusion of the service.

First through eighth graders participate in lessons, a variety of lesson-based activities or demonstrations, art response time (for 1^st/2^nd grade), and art projects.  This age group joins the 10:00 service for Holy Communion and remains with parents/guardians from that time on.

If you have any questions or are looking for an opportunity to be involved in the program, please contact Lori Cooper, at StMattKairos@verizon.net or 737-0985.

The Primary class (3.5 yr to kindergarten) share Feast Bread and juice in class on Sunday morning. It's their "communion".Our

Mission Statement

 The mission of Kairos is to discover, embrace, and share the Christian faith with the children of St. Matthew's.

Kairos Korner

Please join us for a Kairos Koffee Hour following the 10 am service on Sunday, February 12. This is an informal opportunity for our Kairos families to get to know each other as well as the other members of the larger St Matthew's family. Materials will be available for the children to create Valentine's Day cards while the adults relax and enjoy some fellowship. Beverages and good eats for all!

This month we prepare to celebrate the Mystery of Easter. 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. It is a time for us to prepare to celebrate the great gift that God has given us through His Son, Jesus. Lent is a somber time when we reflect upon Jesus' suffering and sacrifice, so for these 40 days we give up the triumphant word "alleluia" until Easter arrives.

Our Children's Ash Wednesday Service will be held on February 22 at 4:30 pm. As part of our Children's Ash Wednesday service, we "bury the alleluias".  Children are invited to color in an alleluia.  The alleluias will be collected in a wooden chest which will remain at the foot of the altar through Lent. The alleluias will then be "released" at the Easter Vigil!

Most people think of Lent as a time to give something up, like ice cream or chocolate. How about trying something different? Why not add something, something that will make you a better person and strengthen your relationship with Christ?

Here are some ideas for you to consider:

1)  Pray more – set aside time in the morning or evening for prayer. Make a list of               people, relationships, situations that need prayer, sit quietly and "listen" for God, or read a daily devotional (you can pick up a little book of devotionals in the Narthex!).

2) Create a good habit – using a lot of  #*%$&! in your vocabulary? Criticizing co-workers?  Gossiping? Clean up that potty-mouth, and make an effort to be encouraging and respectful of others.

3)  Volunteer – make time to volunteer once a week or at least a few times during Lent.  Find an organization and give of your time. Get the whole family involved.

4)  Read one Psalm a day – if reading the Bible seems overwhelming to you, then focus on reading one or two passages from the Psalms daily: they are full of praise!

5)  Go to Confession – confession isn't just for Catholics! In the Episcopal Church, we confess our sins every Sunday as a congregation, but did you know you can schedule a         one on one confession with your priest? It sounds scary but it's not. Confession offers a way to replace your burdens with grace, strength and peace.

Kairos Classrooms

Primary B (3½ ys - Kindergarten): Classroom B

First/Second Grade: Classroom A

Third/Fourth Grade: Classroom D (downstairs)

Fifth/Sixth Grade: Classroom E (downstairs)

Seventh/Eighth Grade: Library

If you have any questions or comments, please contact our Director of Children's and Family Ministries, Lori Cooper at stmattkairos@verizon.net 

Objective

Our intent is to create spiritually enriching and enjoyable Sunday mornings for your children. We also hope to build friendships with each other and with Christ. Our curriculum is thoughtful; each Sunday builds upon what was shared the Sunday before.

Nursery and Kairos Sick Policy

IIn the hopes of reducing the spread of illness among our children, their caregivers and teachers, we ask that you be very thoughtful before bringing a child who is or has recently been sick into the nursery or a classroom.

Our sick policy follows that of our school district:

• Child should be completely fever free for 24 hours
• Child should have no intestinal/stomach issues for 24 hours
• No goopy noses or coughs
• No red eyes with discharge

Feast Bread Bakers Needed!

Mrs. Ottinger's Prayer

"Our life, our health, our joy depends,

upon the bounty that God sends.

May this our food by Thee be blessed,

and as we eat, be Thou our guest…

             and God bless all of these wonderful children."

This prayer was a gift given to the children of St. Matthew's by Jay Ottinger's mother.  She would say it with the children every Sunday before they would break bread to celebrate "the Feast".  Mrs. Ottinger has since passed away, but her spirit and her love of Christ and His children lives on in this prayer that we continue to say with our young ones every Sunday morning.

 "The Feast" is our communion time for the Primary classes (3 ½ yr olds to kindergarten) and our feast bread is provided by volunteer bakers.  Copies of the recipe are on the Kairos bulletin board above the sign-up sheet.  Typically, our bakers make the bread on Saturday and then bring a loaf in on Sunday morning for the children. The little ones LOVE sharing the Feast, so please know that the time you spend baking is greatly appreciated! 

Whether you are interested in giving it a try or have been an active baker already, please consider signing up.  Thank you!

Please contact Lori Cooper (StMattKairos@verizon.net) with questions or to volunteer.