La Rentrée: Get involved!
As we approach La Rentrée in France and at the Cathedral, there are many exciting events, services and volunteering opportunities coming up at the Cathedral. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our vibrant, inclusive, bilingual community. Below is a small selection of ways you can get involved. For a full calendar of upcoming events, groups and services, please visit the website calendar.
La Rentrée/ Welcome Back Sunday
On Sunday, September 8th, at the 11:00 a.m. service, the Cathedral will celebrate the kick-off of the new program year with the Blessing of the Backpacks. Students and teachers of every age are invited to bring their backpacks for a blessing during the service! We will also bless the new Prayground/ Soft Space for children and families in the nave.
Prayground/ Soft Space Coming on Sunday, September 8th!
The Children’s Ministry has been talking with families with young children about their needs. We are excited to announce the arrival of a dedicated space for our babies, toddlers, and their families during worship! We know that our youngest worshippers’ faith formation is greatly deepened by the ability to engage in church services according to their own developmental needs, including being as close to the action up front as possible.
To that end, beginning Sunday, September 8th, watch the pews closest to the pulpit transform later this summer into a “Prayground” - a soft space with quieter activities for our littlest churchgoers to wiggle, explore, and be their full selves during each service with the whole community. This does not replace our other offerings for children, such as the Nursery, Sunday School, the Children’s Worship Table, and worshiping in the pews, but is another option from which families can choose what best works for them at any given time. For more information, please contact Junior Warden Angelina Stelmach Blundell at juniorwarden@americancathedral.org or Volunteer Sunday School Director Andrew Aitken at sundayschool@americancathedral.org.
Join us for the Ministry Fair on Sunday, September 15th
Are you interested in learning more about different ministries and opportunities to volunteer at the Cathedral? On Sunday, September 15th, at Coffee Hour after the 11:00 a.m. service, come learn about Sandwich Ministry, Sunday School, Flower Guild, Ushers, Altar Guild, Acolytes, and more!
Each ministry will have a dedicated table where you can get more information and chat with leaders and volunteers from various ministries. Contact Canon Hailey on canon@americancathedral.org for more information.
Upcoming Sunday School Dates
During the school term, Sunday School meets in the Fleetwood Room beginning with drop-off around 10:45 a.m. to about 11:45 a.m. when Communion is served during the 11:00 a.m. service. All children from ages 3 to 10 years old are welcome to attend.
September:
8th: Sunday School | Welcome Back! Bring an item to show and tell about your summer!
15th: Sunday School | Open House at the Ministry Fair after the 11am service
22nd: Sunday School
29th: Sunday School
For more information or to register your child, contact Volunteer Sunday School Director Andrew Aitken at sundayschool@americancathedral.org.
Upcoming Youth Group Events
All youth in grades 6éme/ 6th grade through Tle/ 12th grade are welcome at Youth Group!
September:
8th: Blessing of the Backpacks and Youth Rentrée Lunch
15th: Come See Youth Group Leaders at the Ministry Fair
29th: Parents’ Rentrée Lunch/ After-Church Youth Group Meeting
For more information or to register your youth, contact Canon Hailey at canon@americancathedral.org or Volunteer Youth Group Leaders Mélanie and Adrien LeSure at youth@americancathedral.org.
Sign Up for Small Group Dinners this Autumn!
One of the best things about church is getting to know one another and learn each others’ stories! Sign up for Small Group Dinners this autumn and be surprised and delighted by whom you can get to know or get to know better.
Dinner groups of 6-8 parishioners will gather once a month in October, November, and December to share a meal (each person brings something!), taking turns meeting in each other’s homes or outside for a picnic.
Not in Paris? There is an online option available! Sign up here or in-person at the Ministry Fair on Sunday, September 15th.
Deadline to sign up: Sunday, September 28th, 2024.
Many questions will be answered in the FAQ below. Contact Canon Hailey at canon@americancathedral.org for more information.
Climate and Creation Care
To coincide with the Season of Creation - widely celebrated by many churches from September 1st to the feast of St Francis on October 4th, the Cathedral is launching a new Climate & Creation Care Ministry. Our care for God’s world is among the most pressing moral issues that Christians face today. The ministry will provide the opportunity to reflect, pray, learn and act on our responsibilities as stewards of God’s creation and, in particular, our care for the earth and its resources. In celebrating the season of creation, we are invited to consider anew our ecological, economic and political ways of living.
Please pray for God’s blessing for creativity and energy in the season ahead as we become more fully engaged at the Cathedral.
We are kicking off our ministry with a film-based small ministry group. The curriculum is ideal for all Episcopalians from newcomers looking to take their first step to seasoned leaders looking for a transformative small group experience. Sessions include compelling films and readings, faith-based reflections, and discussion questions. Participants will also discover ways to learn, pray, advocate, and conserve.
Session 1 : Tuesday, September 17th at 6:30 p.m.: What do Christians have to do with Creation?
Session 2 : Tuesday, September 24th at 6:30 p.m. : Have we loved Creation as ourselves?
Session 3 : Tuesday, October 22nd at 6:30 p.m. : What does it mean to be an Eco Church?
This group will take place on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 831 6271 1045
Passcode: 508927
Come and see us at the Ministry Fair on September 15th or email Stephen Squire - swpsquire@gmail.com for more information.
Do you know a child who loves to sing? Join the Children’s and Youth choirs
There are many great rewards that follow from being a chorister. They learn the skills of self-discipline and confidence, and gain an appreciation of hard work and high standards, which lasts a lifetime. They also reap the rewards of being in contact with sacred traditions; something visible in the beauty of the Cathedral, audible in music and words, and present in the spiritual significance of their work.
Please click below for more information on the choirs and how to get involved.
Sandwich Ministry is back!
Sandwich Ministry resumes on Tuesday, September 3rd as well as Tuesday Noonday Eucharist. Sandwich Ministry provides free healthy bag lunches, hot coffee and fellowship at the Cathedral each Tuesday and Saturday at 12:30 p.m. This ministry nourishes volunteers and guests alike with much-needed food and fellowship. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. volunteers help assemble, package, and distribute bagged lunches outside the Cathedral. For more information, please contact us on mission.outreach@americancathedral.org All are welcome. Lunches are distributed whilst stock lasts.
