This year, our Christian Formation program for those aged 10-16 has centered around Devozine,a “daily devotions” magazine written by and for teens (www.devozine.com). The bimonthly magazine has articles and video clips on contemporary issues of interest to teens, and links those issues to Biblical passages. In the September/October issue, for example, the initial discussion related to bullying produced denial that bullying occurred in local schools. However, after viewing the video, the discussion among the eight participants yielded an increased awareness of how bullying can occur.

The current issue for November /December has  a segment on hunger. During the first week of November, we looked at images of hunger. Some were of African children for whom starvation was evident in their oversized heads and bony little bodies. We googled maps and statistics about hunger, and then began to talk about hunger here  in the US. Even here in Charlottesville, the number of children receiving free or reduced price school lunches is surprisingly high: it’s so common that it’s not even remarkable to our kids.  Over the next several weeks, we will continue the discussion, and support the African Development Project.

Next week, November 22 , we will make Advent wreathes– some to take home to our families, and some to our older Members who are unable to attend worship services. And on November 30 and into December, we will be constructing a creche to place in the front area of our church. Come and join us!