New Beginnings

Part 1 Confession Journal

New beginnings start not only at the beginning of the (church) year.  With confession they can start any time.  But often times confession can seem so daunting, so scary that we avoid seeking the forgiveness we so greatly need to start fresh.  This is certainly true in my case.  Somehow it seemed easier to go to confession as a Catholic when I didn't actually have to face the priest.  When I became Orthodox, I stopped receiving the Sacrament of  Confession quite so frequently as I once did.  If confession is so difficult for adults, think how much more difficult it is for children.

Sometimes the hardest part of going to the doctor is not knowing what to expect. Sometimes we don't want to face up to our sins and tell them to another person. Sometimes we have the desire to confess, but we can't remember all the things we've done wrong.  Or in the case of children they may not realize the error of their ways.  A confession journal can help children (and adults) to prepare for and get through confession without quite so much trepidation.

Supplies:

Spiral bound notebook (or a "view binder" with filler paper)

Icon of your choice (patron saint, Pharisee and the Publican, Theotokos, Jesus, or the Resurrection – the ultimate new beginning)

Examination of conscience (you can tailor this some to your child)

Prayers for Confession

Glue

Directions:

1. Glue the icon to the cover of your journal and add a title (My Confession Journal).  Or slide the icon into the view sleeve on the cover of the binder.

2. Print the list of questions and glue to the inside cover (or slide into the inside pocket if using a binder).  You can use the list linked above or another similar list as a template.  Print prayers for confession and glue to the back cover (or place in back pocket).  

As a child prepares for confession, he can use the journal to write down the sins he needs to confess.  The page can be torn out and brought to confession for a "cheat sheet."  Sometimes nerves can get the better of us when we actually stand before the priest, and it is good to have a reminder of what we planned to confess.  The prayers said during confession can also be printed on a small 4x6 paper to bring to confession if your child is particularly nervous about what he is supposed to say before confessing his sins.

Part 2 Decoupage Icon Memento Box

September is the beginning of the church year and Sunday School.  For my children this means the beginning of many new coloring sheets, craft projects, and little mementos about church life.  What do you do with all of these precious memories?  Do you have piles of  icon cards filling up a drawer in your icon corner?

We do.  So, this year we decided to use the many icon cards that we that have piled up to make a memento box to contain all of this year's Sunday School materials.  This can also hold any special church items such as baptismal crosses and prayer ropes of which you want to keep better track.

Supplies:

Box with lid (size is up to you).* 

Icon cards, or icons cut from calendars & church bulletins

Gold paint

Decoupage glue

Paint brush (foam or medium size wall-painting brush)

Paper plate or tray

Scissors or paper cutter

Gem stones, sequins, or glitter glue

Directions:

1. Paint the box gold.  Use a hair dryer to speed the drying process, if desired.

2.  Cut out and trim icons as necessary.  Determine where they'll be placed.

3. Paint decoupage glue onto lid or one side of your box.  Place icons and press down.  When all icons are attached, paint another layer of decoupage glue on top of them.

4. Repeat step 3 on all the sides you want to cover.

5.  If you child has left spaces between icons, the gaps can be filled in with gem stones, sequins (while the decoupage glue is still wet), or glitter glue.

*The deeper the box & shallower the lid, the better it will work, so that the rim of the lid does not cover any icons on the side.  We used a rain boot box that had no rim on one side.  We left the rimmed sides blank.  You could also print icons in smaller sizes if you wanted to cover the sides despite the rims.