May 2006 - Page 3

Letter from Steve and Dawn

During April, in First Day School, we explored three of Jesus’ parables from the New Testament. We discussed how the stories Jesus told can teach us how to live our lives. We read the Good Samaritan, a story that asks us to help one another, and to recognize the light that exists within each of us. We read The Sower, and talked about how that story teaches us to live with an open heart. We talked about how when we are angry, or sad, our heart feels closed, like rocky ground, but when we remember to keep our heart open, to love and to forgive, our heart is like good earth where seeds can grow. The third parable we read was The Prodigal Son, and we discussed how it is a story of forgiveness. We focused on the last line of the story when the father asks the older son to rejoice that his younger, who was lost, now is found , a line that reminds us to celebrate the life of the spirit.

Sharon A has continued to lead us in exciting art projects that dovetail with the stories. At the end of the hour, we will sit in silence before we come back into meeting-for-worship.

On the last two Sundays in April, we read the Easter story and a second story about The Resurrection. We sat in silence; then the children drew or wrote on a blank sheet of paper what the Easter story meant to them. We made plant mosaics out of dried beans, and we talked about how the story of the resurrection is a story of wonder, a story that reminds us that the light of the spirit is present in our everyday lives, not only at Easter, but throughout the year.

In the same train of thought, the daffodils the children planted last fall around the meeting house are in full bloom.

Ministry At Allen’s Neck

It’s that time of year again. Peter’s contract is up for renewal. This is when members, members-to-be and attenders, evaluate the Minister and his ministry. We need to have a lot of input from everyone, it can be anonymous, spoken or written. Think about Meeting for Worship - do you like the format, are there aspects that you don’t like, suggestions for additions or change? How about outreach, can it be improved? Is the communication within in the Meeting satisfactory? Do you feel a part of Allen’s Neck Meeting? Do you feel welcome? Do you always know what is going on?

Please communicate your suggestions to members of Ministry and Counsel before the May Monthly Meeting on May 24th:

Michael H, Pam H, Elizabeth A, Polly H, James M, Stan S, Jean P and Carol M.

Thank You,

Allen’s Neck Ministry & Counsel

Easter Hydrangeas

The lovely hydrangeas that were in the Meeting room on Easter Sunday morning have been distributed, as is our custom, to the following:

David and Jeanne B Tilly J Horace and Elizabeth W, Vernah T, Will M, Gus and Ila G, Jean P, Jennie C, John L, Marjorie M, Betty A and Mel W.

Family Worship at Allen’s Neck Meeting