Dear All,
March is turning out to be a busy month with much to do and ponder. I attended a very interesting webinar, “Not too Little to Lead”, which discussed the ways to have children & youth participate in worship on a regular basis. It also offered suggestions on how youth can be leaders in the congregation. As part of the webinar these questions were asked:
- What spaces are dedicated in our church for children?
- How do we empower children to participate in congregation activities?
- What are the ways we embrace children and do we celebrate it?
The premise of the conversation/training was: 1) Children are important, 2) Children should feel loved and protected, 3) We want to continue growing in how we reach our children in church, and 4) Children have gifts to share with us! As we prepare a new worship space for our young ones, and begin our children’s chapel, let us ponder these questions and ideas as they relate to St. Paul’s.
Palm Sunday Path 2026 March 29th, 3:00pm
The Palm Sunday Path is a growing, ecumenical movement of church leaders – clergy and lay – that recognize now is the time for Christians to publicly witness to our Christian values as laid out for us by Jesus in Matthew 25. Its purpose is to gather Christians to publicly and visibly advocate for these values of feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and welcoming the stranger. This is a national movement, and our local procession is being sponsored by The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, the Presbytery of Lake Michigan, United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and others.
The Palm Sunday Path envisions tens of thousands of Christians across multiple states gathering for public witness on Palm Sunday afternoon. This day was chosen because Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, as a just, humble leader who honors the dignity and needs of the children of God through healing the sick, feeding the hungry, honoring and welcoming the stranger.
Christian communities from across Michigan are invited to gather at 3 pm on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, in a procession from Pilgrim UCC (125 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48912) to the Michigan State Capitol grounds for a time of communal prayer and public witness. St. Paul’s has been asked to host Evening Prayer service following the program at the Capitol. We will also offer our space for those who are in need of special care. I encourage you to join in this procession and also volunteer to offer hospitality at St. Paul’s.
For more information Palm Sunday Path Michigan visit the website for the Great Lakes Diocese at https://greatlakesepiscopal.org/palm-sunday-path-2026/. This site will also give you information on how to register for the procession, and sites to visit for more information. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Prayers Needed
Our last week was filled with pictures of drones and missiles and blasts and all sorts of ugliness associated with war. Although debate continues about whether it is a war or not, lives are being lost and injuries inflicted on the innocent. Please add this conflict into your prayers. Let us pray for wise and just decisions by all involved. Let us pray for healing for those who are injured and comfort for those who mourn the loss of family or homes. Let us pray for an end to violence and a pathway to peace.
Blessings to you and yours,
Karen+