Gathering Sunday at Verona church to kick off new school year

Photo Courtesy of Chrystine Gaffney
Photo Courtesy of Chrystine Gaffney

VERONA, NJ — Gathering Sunday, when the Church of the Holy Spirit’s full choir and music director are back singing more regularly and Sunday School classes return, is Sunday, Sept. 11. Students of all ages are encouraged to bring their backpacks to church; a special blessing will be offered as the new academic year commences. This will be the first Sunday at the church’s new worship time of 10 a.m., as opposed to the previous 9:30.

For the first half of the service, children in pre-K through eighth-grade will participate in an arts and craft project to kick off the new semester. For the second half of the worship, churchgoers will celebrate a children’s Eucharist — which is typically held each month on the third Sunday of the month. This is an interactive teaching Eucharist where the children help set the table and gather around a small altar for the blessing of the bread and wine.

After worship, all attendees are invited on the front lawn for a special outdoor potluck coffee hour, where the children will be able to enjoy some activities created just for them.

For more information, send an email to office@holyspiritverona.org or call 973-239-2850. Church of the Holy Spirit’s website is www.holyspiritverona.org.