http://main.acsevents.org/goto/PMenard

I am honored to be participating in Relay for Life of Cambrian again for the 11th year with my team, Team Awesome.  This year is the 15th annual Cambrian Relay for Life and I am not only a participant, but I am also part of the Event Leadership Team.  I am one of several volunteers working to make the event great.  Our goal is not only to raise funds for American Cancer Society but also to gathering our local community to bring awareness about cancer, enjoy good food, entertainment and celebrate many years of success.  If you are local, I hope you will consider coming out the event April 26th @ 6pm to April 27th @ 4pm at Dartmouth Middle School.  There will be a lot to see at the event.
 
I hope you will consider donating to this worthy cause once again.  American Cancer Society is the leading organization working to help people facing cancer, fund research, and advocate for equitable access to care.  You can donate at the link listed.  If you want to honor a Cancer Survivor, remember someone lost to cancer or recognize a cancer caregiver, so can also select Luminaria on the web page and one will be created and displayed at the event.
 
This year I will also be raffling off a quilt that I made for the event.  If you would like to be entered into the raffle indicate in your message or send me an email and I will include you in the raffle. 
I truly appreciate your support and good thoughts for the success of the event.  With your help, I hope that soon we will see an end to this terrible disease.

 “CGS Lunch Bunch”

Name:
Community, Gathering for, Socialization: Lunch Bunch

Description:

The CGS Lunch Bunch is a monthly gathering hosted by CGS’s care team], designed to bring together individuals who might feel isolated or disconnected from the community. Our mission is to provide a warm, inviting atmosphere where everyone can share a meal, engage in meaningful conversations, and form lasting friendships. Whether you’re new in town, going through a tough time, or simply seeking fellowship, the CGS Lunch Bunch is here to welcome you with open arms.

How It Works:

    •    Frequency: Once a month, details on the specific date and time will be shared in advance.
    •    Location: Held at Sophie Jobe’s houseproviding an accessible and comfortable setting.
    •    Activities: Each gathering will include a shared meal, possibly themed potlucks or meals provided by local sponsors, followed by various social activities. Activities might include guest speakers, games, music, or small group discussions centered around themes of hope, friendship, and community support.
    •    Open To: All are welcome. While aimed at those feeling isolated, we encourage anyone seeking fellowship or wishing to support their fellow community members.
    •    Social Media: Regular updates, including dates and themes, will be posted on the church’s social media platforms.
    •    Word of Mouth: Church members are encouraged to personally invite someone who might benefit from the CGS Lunch Bunch, making it a community effort.
    

The CGS Lunch Bunch aims to break down the barriers of isolation by offering a space where individuals can come together, share a meal, and build connections. It’s more than just a monthly meeting; it’s an opportunity to create a community that supports and uplifts each other. Join us in making a difference, one lunch at a time.


​- Sophie Jobe 

-Sunday School here at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is called Godly Play
You may be wondering: What is Godly Play, and what are some benefits for the children? Godly Play is a distinctive approach to Christian ministry with children, both innovative and deeply grounded in our spiritual tradition. It is a form of the Montessori style of teaching. 
We meet on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month.
Godly Play helps to re-sacralize the everyday things of the world, such as bread, wine, candles, oil, wood, linens, and clay. It reintroduces a sacramental worldview in an often practical and materialistic society, reminding us that the ordinary can be infused with the divine.
In a culture that often values noise and busyness, Godly Play teaches children and adults the value of quiet contemplation and deliberate engagement. It offers a counter-cultural message in a comforting and consistent manner, inviting participants to slow down and reflect amidst the rush of modern life.
By providing sensorial materials within a safe and stimulating environment, Godly Play integrates language and play, offering children multiple avenues for exploration and understanding. This holistic approach acknowledges that each child learns differently and seeks to engage the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.
Unlike traditional teaching methods, Godly Play is not about rote memorization or passive learning. Instead, it fosters discovery and personal meaning-making, allowing children to actively engage with sacred stories and parables in a way that resonates with their individual thoughts and feelings.
Craft activities in Godly Play serve as opportunities for creative expression rather than predetermined outcomes. Each child is encouraged to respond authentically to the stories they've encountered, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of their faith journey.
Teachers in a Godly Play classroom benefit from a stable setup and routine, allowing them to focus on facilitating meaningful experiences rather than constantly planning new activities. This consistency creates a supportive environment where both teachers and children can fully immerse themselves in the exploration of scripture and spirituality.
At its core, Godly Play teaches reliance on a gracious and accessible God, shifting focus away from transient worldly distractions towards enduring spiritual truths. It cultivates respect for oneself, others, and the world around us, fostering a sense of care, patience, and interconnectedness.
By embracing the rhythm of action, reflection, engagement, and prayer, Godly Play encourages participants to develop a spiritual rule of life modeled after the biblical principles of living in community and relationship with God.
Through its rituals and organizational structure, Godly Play instills kindness, mutuality, and respect for others—a living embodiment of the biblical ethic of communal living and love.
As a contemporary adaptation of lectio divina, Godly Play invites children to engage with scripture in a meaningful and personal way, moving beyond mere intellectual understanding to a deeper encounter with God's word.
Ultimately, Godly Play affirms the holiness inherent in all of creation and invites participants to recognize the sacredness of every moment and encounter. It offers a glimpse into kairos time, where the presence of God transcends the limitations of clock time, inviting us to dwell in the eternal now and reflect on the deeper purpose of our existence.
​- Sophie Jobe

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