God's Biography

Coming Soon: Abundant Life Garden Project

2011-06-22T13:41:00.000-05:00

Beginning in the fall, we will have a vegetable garden for our children and families. The produce from this garden (and we are optimistic that there will be produce!) will be donated to our Food Pantry. To introduce this garden, we will follow Episcopal Relief & Development's Abundant Life Garden Project. In this way, we will learn about growing food, giving service, and praising God.

For more about the Abundant Life Garden Project, please read this article by Cynthia Coe, developer of this program.

Beach Attitudes Vacation Bible School, 2011

2011-05-10T14:06:00.002-05:00

We are gearing up for a fabulous VBS!! Download your registration form here.

Date: June 6-10
Ages: PK4-Rising 5th + Middle School Camp for Rising 6th-7th

Time: 8:30-12:00

Snack provided.

Cost: $20/child + $15/siblings. Middle School students are free.

VBS Registration Form

Rising 8th graders, high school students, and adults are welcome to volunteer. For more information about volunteering, please contact

Kathryn Travis at 877-2712 or email ktravis.holycomforter@gmail.com.

Be A Gardener

2011-04-05T11:50:00.000-05:00

Be a gardener.

Dig a ditch,

toil and sweat,

and turn the earth upside down

and seek the deepness

and water the plants in time.

Continue this labor

and make sweet floods to run

and noble and abundant fruits

to spring.

Take this food and drink

and carry it to God

as your true worship.

Julian of Norwich

Please join us on April 16th, 6:30 pm, at Faith Presbyterian (corner of John Knox and Meridian) to see a church vegetable garden in production. We will put in a children's vegetable garden here at Holy Comforter in May. The produce from this garden will be given to our food closet ministry.

Sunday Classes, April 3rd

2011-03-30T12:11:00.000-05:00

Big & Little Kids: Bell Choir practice, 9:15-9:30. Come and practice with Beth Spear for our Easter performance. We will sing & play two songs at the 10:30 Easter service (with Bishop Howard!). 9:30-10:15 Sunday School class, "Searching for Sight," from John 9:1-41. We will have a number of blindfold activities.

Youth: Will meet in the Middle School.

Spiritual Journey: You are BACK in your old digs, Mercy Lounge. Thank you for accommodating the Newcomers Class.

Centering Prayer: Will meet in Middle School, room #508.

Seekers Bible Study: If you have not been to Seekers in a while, stop by the Middle School! This is a good class to drop into if you are in one of the choirs or on the "even" Sundays that Spiritual Journey does not meet. Readings for this week are:

1 Samuel 16:1-13
Psalm 23
Ephesians 5:8-14
John 9:1-14
for further reading: Mud and Oil, Light and Understanding

Sunday School, March 20th

2011-03-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Big Kids: BELL CHOIR PRACTICE AT 9:15. Sunday School class will be held after practice. We continue our unit on Nets for Life. We hope to figure out the "Malaria Tag" game. I may need a savvy 5th grader to explain it to me!

Youth: Will meet in the Middle School, room #502

Spiritual Journey: Will meet in the Middle School, room #501.

Seekers Bible Study: Will meet in the Middle School, room #503. Readings for the week:

Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
for further study: Conversion.

Centering Prayer: Will meet in the Middle School, room #508.

New Members Class: Will meet in Mercy Lounge.

Sunday School, March 13th

2011-03-09T13:24:00.000-06:00

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Big Kids: Lenten project, Nets for Life (Episcopal Relief and Development). We will begin a study of the Nets for Life project and talk about the ways that we are able to help around the world. We will make a mosquito or two and play "Mosquito Patrol."

Youth: Breakfast with Mother Teri in the Church office workroom.

Seekers Bible Study: with Judy Shipman in Middle School, room #503. Readings for the week:

Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
for further reading: Renunciation

Centering Prayer: will meet in the Middle School, room #508.

New Members Class: will meet in Mercy Lounge.

Building Bible Verses: Matthew 3:17

2011-03-06T12:46:00.000-06:00

This Sunday, one of our activities was to "build a Bible verse." We taped each word of the verse to a Duplo block and the children arranged them creatively.

Sunday School, March 6

2011-03-02T15:27:00.001-06:00

Big Kids: Matthew 17:1-9, The Transfiguration, "The disciples see the brightness of Jesus." Building Block Bible Verse game (for verse 17:5), introduction to the bells

Youth: will meet in Middle School, room #502

Spiritual Journey: will meet in Middle School, room #501

Seekers Bible Study: will meet in Middle School, room #503. Readings for the week are:

Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2 or Psalm 99
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
For further reading: The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Centering Prayer: Middle School, room #508

New Members Class: will meet in Mercy Lounge

In The News: Welcome to the new Diocesan Council Members

2011-02-24T13:45:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the new Diocesan Council Members elected at the 2011 Diocesan Convention:

The Rev. Teri Monica is Curate at Holy Comforter, Tallahassee and serves as Priest-in-Charge at Church of the Ascension, Carrabelle. She was ordained to the priesthood in Dec. 2007 and received her Master's in Theology from St. Bernard's School of Theology in Albany, NY. She was a Curate at St. John's Episcopal Church in Johnstown, NY. Mtr. Teri has been a Director of Youth Ministry in New York as well as the head of a city-wide Summer Bible School for Youth. She also has her Master of Arts in Special Education and was an elementary school assistant principal as well as a teacher for 24 years. Mtr. Teri wants to serve on Diocesan Council "in order to assist in any way that I can in the programs and policies of the overall diocese. I would also like to become more familiar with the inner workings and personalities of the diocese so that I am better equipped to serve Our Lord."

Lydia Monroe attends St. Gabriel's, Jacksonville where she has been an active member for 27 years. She is a chalice bearer, a Eucharistic Visitor, a former member of the vestry, and a Cursillista. Currently she serves as the church clerk. Lydia is a retired Project Manager for the City of Jacksonville and understands the value of teamwork. She has gained a deep concern for the welfare of her fellowman as a volunteer for the Council on Elder Affairs and from special nursing home visitation. Lydia wants to serve on Diocesan Council because she "would like to serve as a lay member to champion the interests of all the churches in our diocese."

Bob Buehn attends St. Mary's, Green Cove Spring. He is a retired Navy Captain (Naval Aviator) currently serving as the City of Jacksonville's Chief of Military Affairs. Bob is also an adjunct professor for the Naval War College, teaching a graduate seminar for military officers. He has been Sr. Warden at St. Mary's for four years and a delegate to the Diocesan Convention. He is chairman of the Community Hospice and a mentor for the Wounded Warrior Project retreat that takes place at Camp Weed. Bob wants to serve on Diocesan Council because "My connection with Camp Weed has shown me what churches united in a diocese can achieve and I'd like to play a role in that greater communion."

(from the Dio-logue E-newsletter)

Sunday School, Feb. 27

2011-02-23T14:02:00.001-06:00

Big Kids: Matthew 6:24-34, "Do not worry about tomorrow." We will plant lily bulbs to take home.

Youth: will be in the Church office workroom for breakfast with Mother Teri.

Seekers Bible Study: will be in the Middle School. Readings for the week:

* Isaiah 49:8-16a

* Psalm 131

* 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

* Matthew 6:24-34

For further reading: Trust in God

Centering Prayer: will meet in the Middle School.

New Members Class: will meet in Mercy Lounge. All are welcome; no registration is required.

Collect for Feb. 20

2011-02-20T19:36:00.000-06:00

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday School, Feb. 20

2011-02-17T12:39:00.000-06:00

Big Kids: Matthew 5:38-48. "Choosing Peace". We will make a heart wreath for the nursery bulletin board and have another round of Valentine's Bingo.

Youth: Will meet in the middle school.

All Adult Classes: will meet in the Parish Hall for the annual meeting.

Sunday School, Feb. 13

2011-02-10T11:02:00.001-06:00

Big Kids: New Ways for a New Kingdom, Matthew 5:21-37. We will make a new bulletin board and will have a surprise Valentine's activity.

Youth: Will meet in the Church office workroom for breakfast with Mother Teri.

Centering Prayer: will meet in Middle School room #508

Seekers Bible Study: readings for this week

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 119:1-8
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Matthew 5:21-37
for further study: A Call to Commitment

Sunday School, Feb. 6th

2011-02-02T13:44:00.000-06:00

Big Kids: Matthew 5: 13-20, "Let Your Light Shine." Flashlight Relay!!

Youth: will meet in the Middle School, room #501

Spiritual Journey: will meet in Mercy Lounge

Seekers: Judy is back! Readings for the week:

Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Psalm 112:1-9 (10)
1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)
Matthew 5:13-20
for further reading: Salt and Light

Centering Prayer: will meet in Middle School, room #508. It is warm now, I promise!

Stay tuned for the Newcomers Class, beginning Feb. 27th.

***New Prayer Group*** led by Mother Teri, beginning Thursday, 7pm in Mercy Lounge. This will be the 1st Thursday of every month and will be a time of music, prayer and meditation.

Psalm 15: Characters of a Saint

2011-01-30T17:36:00.001-06:00

By Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

Who shall inhabit in thy hill,
O God of holiness?
Whom will the Lord admit to dwell
So near his throne of grace?

The man that walks in pious ways,
And works with righteous hands;
That trusts his Maker's promises,
And follows his commands.

He speaks the meaning of his heart,
Nor slanders with his tongue;
Will scarce believe an ill report,
Nor do his neighbor wrong.

The wealthy sinner he contemns,
Loves all that fear the Lord;
And though to his own hurt he swears,
Still he performs his word.

His hands disdain a golden bribe,
And never gripe the poor:
This man shall dwell with God on earth,
And find his heav'n secure.

Grace Before Meals

2011-01-27T12:22:00.000-06:00

The prayer for January 27th:

O Lord, our most gracious Heavenly Father, bless these Thy gifts which we are about to receive from Thy bountiful fold. Bless each one of us, and look upon us in mercy, in the sweet name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.

From Grace Before Meals, Brief Prayers Arranged for Each Day in the Year, compiled by A. William Nyce and Hubert Bunyea, 1939.

Sunday School, Jan. 30th

2011-01-26T15:43:00.002-06:00

Big Kids: Matthew 5:1-12. We will learn about the Beatitudes and play some games.

Youth: will meet in the Middle School, room #502. Patricia Trom & Brandy Luce will substitute for Bailey & Jacob this week. We'll have lots of donuts & games.

Seekers Bible Study: will meet in Middle School room #503.

Micah 6:1-8
Psalm 15
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12
For further reading: God's Word Is Proclaimed. God's Way Is Proclaimed.

Centering Prayer: will meet in Middle School room #508.

Stay tuned for the New Members class, beginning Feb. 27.

Virtual Labyrinth

2011-01-24T22:30:00.001-06:00

When this weather does not allow for a walk around the lab, try this virtual labyrinth.

From Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal Church, San Francisco.

Sunday School, Jan. 23

2011-01-22T08:37:00.002-06:00

Big Kids: "A Light Has Dawned", Matthew 4:12-23. We will play a new game, Tic Tac Know, and make a bulletin board.

Youth: will meet in the Church office workroom for breakfast

Seekers Bible Study: readings for the week--

Isaiah 9:1-4
Psalm 27:1, 5-13
1 Corinthians 1:10-18
Matthew 4:12-23

for further reading: The Calling of Disciples Today and Yesterday

Centering Prayer: will meet in Middle School, Room #508

A New Light

2011-01-14T07:39:00.000-06:00

"The mission of The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts (ECVA) is to encourage artists, individuals, congregations, and scholars to engage the visual arts in the spiritual life of the church. ECVA values the significance of visual imagery in spiritual formation and the development of faith, and creates programs to support those who are engaged in using the visual arts in spiritual life."

From the 2002 exhibition, A New Light: The Collects of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany (click arrow beside the "collects" button to view the exhibit).

Centering Prayer

2011-01-13T12:18:00.001-06:00

A warm welcome to our new group! Centering Prayer, which meets in Middle School room #508, is an ancient form of prayer which helps deepen our relationship with God through silence and quieting of the mind. We will have a brief welcoming time, twenty minutes of centering prayer, and a time for reflection on a brief portion of the scripture. The group is open to all, both those who are new to this form of prayer and those who have practiced some form of contemplative prayer for years.

Sunday School, Jan. 16th

2011-01-12T08:00:00.002-06:00

Big & Little Kids: Father Ted will be joining our class to play his guitar and sing. One of the songs he will be sharing with us is This Little Light of Mine.

Youth: The Youth class will meet in the Middle School this week.

Spiritual Journey: will meet in Mercy Lounge

Seekers Bible Study: Shirley Ellis will be leading the class this week. The readings are--

Isaiah 9:1-4

Psalm 27:1, 5-13

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Matthew 4:12-23

for further reading: Responding to God's call to be a "light to the nations."

Centering Prayer: Wonderful turnout last week! You will meet again in the Middle School. Hopefully, it will be warmer.

Grace Before Meals

2011-01-11T13:56:00.001-06:00

I have a lovely little volume, Grace Before Meals, Brief Prayers Arranged for Each Day of the Year. It was compiled by A. William Nyce and Hubert Bunyea and published in 1939.

The prayer for today is:
We thank Thee, Father, for the measure of health and strength we have, wherewith to do our daily work and to serve Thee. Keep us healthful, useful and faithful, for the Christ's sake. Amen.

Quiet Garden Prayer

2011-01-10T13:01:00.001-06:00

O Lord Jesus,
true gardener,
work in us what you want of us,
for without you we can do nothing.

For you are indeed the true gardener,
at once the maker and tiller
and keeper of your garden,
you who plant with the word,
water with the spirit
and give your increase with your power.

Prayer of the 12^thCentury Cistercian
Guerric of Igny

from: http://www.quietgarden.co.uk

A Bit of Fun: Give Up Yer Aul Sins

2011-01-09T16:36:00.002-06:00

Quite charming.

This series is based on the 1960's recordings of Dublin school children re-tellings of Bible stories.

We talked about John the Baptist in Sunday School today. I wonder what our children would say when asked to tell the story in their own words?

Another:

Tomorrow, Jan. 9th, 9:15 Classes Resume

2011-01-08T11:53:00.002-06:00

See the "Sunday Schedule" tab for the classes & locations. A few notes:

*Centering Prayer begins this Sunday in Middle School
*Seekers-- readings for this week are Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 29, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17
*Youth-- you will meet in the office workroom on the 2nd & 4th Sundays. Come hungry!

UPDATE Around Town: Father William Meninger, Trappist Monk, to Visit Tallahassee

2011-01-08T08:29:00.015-06:00

Feb. 23-27: Father William Meninger, Trappist Monk, to Visit Tallahassee, Father William Meninger, a Trappist monk and internationally known teacher and author will be in Tallahassee February 23-27, giving lectures, presenting workshops, and preaching. Sponsoring churches are Faith Presbyterian, Good Shepherd Catholic, St. John's Episcopal, and Trinity United Methodist. For registration information, please contact Dee Crusoe at St. John's Episcopal Church at 850-668-1083 or djcrusoe@embarqmail.com.

The schedule is as follows:

Feb 23 Julian of Norwich Lecture. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. St. John's Episcopal Church, 211 N. Monroe Street. Supper available at 5:30 p.m. ($6.00)

Feb 24 Lecture: The Mystic in the Marketplace. 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Presbyterian University Center, Florida State University Campus, 548 W. Park Avenue.

Feb 25 Christian Transformation Workshop - the Enneagram as a Tool. 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. St. John's Episcopal Church, 211 N. Monroe Street. Lunch available ($7.00)

Feb 26 Centering Prayer Workshop. 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 4665 Thomasville Road. Lunch available ($7.00)

Feb 27 Guest Preacher, 11:00 a.m. Worship Service. Faith Presbyterian Church, 2200 N. Meridian Road

Forgiveness Workshop. 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Faith Presbyterian Church,

2200 N. Meridian Road. Lunch available at noon (n/c)

(from the Dio-logue newsletter)

More about Father William Meninger.

Click here to download the event flyer.*
*Please let me know if you are unable to open this link. I'm still working out the kinks. You will have to download the link onto your computer in order to print. I am working on a less cumbersome method.

If you are unable to download the flyer, here is the vital information (in addition to the info above)
Questions/information:
*Faith Presbyterian, Dan Dobbins, 850-322-8716, dobbins@nettally.com
*Good Shepherd Catholic, Pat Beckett, 850-893-1831, beckettp@gs.ptdiocese.org
*St. John's Episcopal, Dee Crusoe, 850-668-1083, djcrusoe@embarqmail.com
*Trinity United Methodist, Barbara Hynes, 850-222-1020, barbarahynes@tumct.org

A freewill offering will be accepted at each event. All proceeds benefit St. Benedict's Monastery. The cost of the lunch or supper, when offered, is additional.

Interesting Resource for Families

2011-01-07T08:40:00.003-06:00

I find the children's literature blog, Storypath, to be an interesting way to tie the gospel into our everyday lives. Each week, the Union Presbyterian Seminary reviews books for each age group, from infants to 6th grade, that relate to the lectionary. The books chosen are a mix of old favorites and new. It's as fascinating for me to see an old book through news eyes as it is to be introduced to new authors. They are usually ahead of the curve, giving the readers a chance to obtain the book before the lesson.

Web Surfing Find of The Day

2011-01-06T09:02:00.005-06:00

Bryan Sirchio of Crosswinds Music has several CD's out for all ages. My favorite track from the kids' CD is the title track, "Bugs for Lunch". "He ate bugs for lunch, yep, yep, yep... John the Baptist ate bugs for lunch!"

The CD for teens has a fun track, "Bumper Sticker Witness." "She drives it to the limit for the Lord..."

Check it out and listen to the samples

Welcome to The New Blog

2011-01-05T17:47:00.000-06:00

Hello, everyone! I have started this blog in an effort to keep us all informed about the many wonderful things that are going on in our Christian Education program. We'll have something different every week, for all ages. This blog will be linked to both our web page and facebook and you may subscribe from this page, so hopefully that will cover all bases. It is a work in progress, but hopefully, it will be in shape before too long.

Blessings!