Page 2 - Fruit of the Vine issue no. 1

In 2018, my wife and I were patching together an income by working short-term contracts in our respective fields while taking turns caring
for our two and three-year-old children, William and Edith. We were both pretty exhausted and one week in the early spring my wife Lara could see that I needed some rest so she offered me a Saturday morning off.
After getting a coffee, I sought some serenity at a nearby church. The parish was unlocked and I sat in a pew and savoured the silence. As I prayed and listened, I heard the sound of children singing. The Holy Spirit seemed to be working that day — a small procession of little people with coloured flags came into the aisle cheerfully singing something about the liturgical calendar.
I found all of this amusing and very cute. As I was about to leave I asked one of the grown-ups leading the little parade what in the world was
going on. She explained to me about CGS. I told her about my kids and she mentioned that William would be just old enough and that they had one spot open.
Since then, our experience with CGS has been so life-giving and precious. The children have developed an understanding of focused work, peace, and beauty, and always look forward to their time in the atrium. We are grateful to all who have contributed to the development of such a beautiful program and to those who continue to offer it to our kids.
Last summer our kids got to spend quiet time each week learning about God’s creation through gardening. They are now happy to work outside! They cheerfully weed, examine plants, and clearly associate nature with God's care for us.
We are so grateful for CGS in our family's life!
Landon Coleman (Ottawa, ON)
Fruit of the Vine | June 2021 FRUIT IN OUR FAMILIES
William, then and now: in the atrium 2018 (left) and in 2020 (right). Photos submitted by Ruth Ann McClure.
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