Ascension Icon with Motion

We made it through Holy Week, and Pascha was a joy!  As we continue to enjoy this festal season, we begin to look forward to the Ascension of our Lord towards the end of the month.  Ascension is a pretty big word for little kids and may leave them wondering just what this feast day is all about.  Here is a craft project to bring the Ascension to life and make it easier to explain what it's all about.

 

Supplies:

• Small poster board, cardboard, or large construction paper
• Paints (finger or otherwise)
• Ascension icon coloring page
• Crayons
• Yarn or string about twice the height of your background paper
• Glue
• Tape
• Scissor        
• Sand (Optional)
• White foam, cotton balls, or paper (Optional)

Instructions:

1. Paint a blue sky and sand colored ground on your poster board.  When dry cut two slits near the top and bottom

2. Color the Ascension icon and cut out Jesus and Mary with the Apostles (so that you have two pieces).

3. Tape the yarn to the back of the Jesus cut out.  Run it through the slits and tie a knot in the back.

4. Glue the other cut out to the board, leaving the center and very top unglued. 

5. (Optional) Glue sand to bottom portion.  Cut out and glue clouds in the sky.

When you are finished, pull the string from the back to watch Jesus ascend to Heaven!  Don't forget to connect the events that led up to the Ascension.  You can refresh little minds about how Jesus died on Great Friday and descended into Hades before He rose from the dead on Pascha.  Now after spending 40 days on earth with His mother and disciples, He ascends into Heaven as they all watch.

Finally, don't forget to use our Ascension greeting:  "Christ is ascended!  From Earth to Heaven!"

Launch Party

A dozen children turned out for today's launch party and had a grand time.  We started with coloring sheets and food as everyone arrived.

After everyone arrived, we played a game of Father Says. The kids really loved this despite the fact that they kept forgetting they shouldn't do the things Father didn't say.

Next, I read the book followed by a rendition from Hummingbird and Maggie.

We ended the structured activities playing "Hot Book."
The music is Gigi (Baba) Shadid: Fruits of the Spirit

Congratulations to Caroline who won a copy of Josiah and Julia Go to Church and agreed to donate it to her church!

7 Questions from Mat. Anna

1. When you see "children's book", what comes to mind first?

Josiah and Julia Go To Church (shameless plug: if you don't own it yet, run out and buy it)!  I also think Kevin Henkes, and Kiss Goodnight (awesome illustrations).  Okay, before I end up with a long, long list, I'll admit I am a children's literature junky.  I definitely read more children's lit than adult lit these days, and while there are a few books that I'd rather never read again, there are tons that I could read a million more times. 

I promise the rest of my answers will be shorter.

2. Who is funnier: Buggs Bunny or Moe, Larry and Curly?

Buggs Bunny

3. Name a form of music or artist you can't believe you ever used to like.

 All I can think of is New Kids on the Block, but I still have a certain fondness for them actually.

4. Name a fashion fad you fell for in middle school.

Big Bangs!  Fold and Roll Jeans

5. What do you call a car that sweeps past you on the interstate?

Crazy

6. Have you ever been anywhere with two different shoes on?

This could go under number 4, too.  In middle school I intentionally wore one black & one white tennis shoe.  Hummingbird and Bumble Bee like mix and match shoes, too.

7. Do you have a local accent? Does it match your current location?

Only when I'm upset or talking really fast, and no it doesn't match Chicago.  Definitely not.

Paschal Sermon of Bishop Matthias of the Diocese of the Midwest

Christ is Risen!

By way of explaining his opening remarks, we had a severe thunderstorm roll in just in time for the procession, which, of course, had to be modified.

Easter Eggs Painted with Crayons

Painted Easter Egg instructions are now here.