Dispatch from StoryMakers

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following dispatch is provided by Mo Owen, Lead Formation Leader for StoryMakers (grades 4+5+6) and Vestry member.

The first thing StoryMakers do when they arrive for class is to identify how they feel by using the emotion prayer wheel. It provides colorful images and words to help communicate the childrens’ feelings, offers a prayer based on those feelings, and then sends those prayers to God.

This practice helps the children know that just as friends listen to how they feel, God also wants to know and care for them.

The children then jump into their “zines!” These are handmade booklets that include artwork or an array of objects that are glued and taped to express a story. (The University of Arizona’s Poetry Center has a permanent zine-making area.)

This fall the StoryMakers are studying "the flood"—the story of Noah's Ark. Last Sunday’s chapter was titled, “The Search."

The children took turns reading the story and reflected on the image of God looking at Noah on earth.

One of the children wondered, “Is that really how God sees us? Does he sit up in the clouds looking down at us through his binoculars?" Another child said, "I think God is building a diorama and moving us around in their little world!"

Initially, the conversation is about wondering what God might be like but then moves to considering how amazing it is that God cares enough to search for and connect with his people every day.

Our StoryMakers are some of the most energetic, creative, and curious group of 4th, 5th, and 6th graders I have ever met. I'm thankful to be one of their guides again this year as we explore and create together throughout the year.