THE CROSS. Important Christian Dates this Term

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1 Summer 2015 THE CROSS Welcome to the Summer Edition of our RE Newsletter The Cross. The theme this term is animals in the Bible which links into our KS2 trip The Lion King where we will learn all about the different types of animals that live in Africa. Read on to find out which wild animals are mentioned in the Bible, why Jesus was called the lamb of God and lots more! Important Christian Dates this Term Thursday 23rd April St George s Day St George is the patron saint of England. Legend tells that he killed a dragon to save a princess. He is patron saint not only of England but also of Aragon, Catalonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, Germany and Greece; and of Moscow, Istanbul, Genoa and Venice (second to Saint Mark). He's also patron saint of soldiers, archers, cavalry and chivalry, farmers and field workers, riders and saddlers, and he helps those suffering from leprosy. St George is the patron saint of our school. Thursday 14th May Ascension Day Ascension Day marks the last earthly appearance of Christ after his resurrection. Christians believe Christ ascended into heaven. It is celebrated 40 days after Easter. Sunday 24th May Pentecost Pentecost is the festival when Christians celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the Sunday 50 days after Easter (the name comes from the Greek pentekoste, "fiftieth"). Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of the Christian church, and the start of the church's mission to the world. On this day the holy spirit came upon the disciples and flames appeared on their heads. Pentecost is a happy festival. Ministers in church often wear robes with red in the design as a symbol of the flames in which the Holy Spirit came to earth. Monday 29th June St Peter and St Paul s Day St Peter was originally called Simon and was one of Jesus 12 disciples. Jesus named him Peter which means the rock as Peter was the rock Jesus wanted the church to be founded on. Peter is considered by many as the first pope of the Catholic church and is the patron saint of fishermen. St Paul converted on the road to Damascus and travelled around the world spreading the Gospel to all. Paul is the patron saint of writers as during his lifetime he wrote many letters to people of all areas and faiths to teach them about Jesus life. Friday 15th August Assumption of the Virgin Mary This day is celebrated as the ascension into heaven of Mary the mother of the Lord. Human beings have to wait until the end of time for their bodily resurrection, but Mary's body was able to go straight to heaven because her soul hadn't been tainted by original sin.

2 Jewish Festivals Friday 3rd April Pesach (Passover) Pesach or Passover is when Jews celebrate the passing over of the Angel of Death during the 10 plagues of Egypt. Moses and his people put the blood of a sacrificed lamb over their doors to keep their homes safe. The festival is celebrated for seven or eight days and all chametz (leavened bread) is removed from the house to remember that the Israelites in Egypt had to eat unleavened bread as they did not have time for the bread to rise. Jews also celebrate a Seder Meal with lamb and wine. Saturday 23rd May Shavuot (Festival of Weeks) Shavuot marks the time when the Jews were given the Torah on Mount Sinai. Prayers are said on Shavuot to thank God for the five books of Moses which make up the Torah and synagogues are decorated with flowers to remember the flowers on Mount Sinai. Saturday 25th July Tish a B Av (The Ninth of Av) Tish a B Av commemorates the destruction of the first and second temple in Jerusalem and the exile of the Jews from Israel. It is a day of mourning for Jewish people and many will fast on this day. Some people will also refrain from bathing. Hindu Festivals Saturday 18th July Puri Rath Yata Also known as the chariot festival, Puri Rath Yata is a festival of equality where the 3 deities Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and their sister Subhadra are taken from the temple into the streets for everyone to see. Each God has their own chariot. Saturday 15th August India Independence Day This day marks the anniversary of when India became independent from British rule and became a sovereign nation in The flag of India is raised by political leaders and many families celebrate with picnics, outings, fireworks and parades. It has also become a tradition to fly kites on this day. Muslim Festivals Thursday 18th June Start of Ramadan Ramadan is a festival of fasting between sunrise and sunset. Muslims also try to practise more self-discipline this month by giving to charity and praying more often. Saturday 18th July Eid al Fitr End of Ramadan The end of Ramadan is a big feast day where Muslims end their fasting period and thank Allah for the strength he has given them to maintain self-control throughout Ramadan. People wear new clothes and decorate their homes. There are special services in Mosques, and Muslims have their first meal during the day time after fasting.

3 Sikh Festivals Tuesday 16th June Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Guru Arjan Dev was the first Sikh martyr of the faith. The guru asked to bathe in the Ravi river after his captors persecuted him. It is said that as he entered the river he became one with the water and vanished. Prayers are made to the Guru on this day and his message of peace is honoured by his followers. Buddhist Festivals Monday 4th May Vaishaka Puja (Wesak) Vaishaka Puja is also known as Wesak and is a celebration of the Buddha s birthday. This is celebrated as a big occasion in Buddhism with lots of festival and colour. Some Buddhists also make special lanterns and in some countries caged birds are released. Sunday 12th July Asalha Puja (Dharma Day) Dharma Day celebrates the first sermon delivered by the Buddha. Buddhists observe this day by donating offerings to temples and listening to Buddha s teachings. Traditional Festivals Friday 1st May Beltane Beltane is a festival of fire and celebrates the arrival of summer. A bonfire is lit and some may light candles from the bonfire. People also celebrate by dancing around a maypole. Sunday 21st June Summer Solstice The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year which means there is the most hours of daylight. This is a time to celebrate growth and life. Some people travel to the ancient site of Stonehenge to watch the sun rise on this day. Saturday 1st August Lammas (Lughnasadh) This is a celebration of the coming of the harvest season and dates back to when farmers would celebrate the new crops coming in. International Days Sunday 21st June Father s Day Father s Day was established in the 20th century by a girl who wanted to show appreciation for her father. It is traditional for people to give cards and gifts to their fathers on this day.

4 Which animals were kept by people of the Bible? The Bible people kept sheep, cattle, goats, asses, camels, and (from King David s time onwards) horses, which were imported from Egypt and Assyria. Were the animals especially useful to the people in other ways? Goats, sheep and cattle were all used as sacrifices, for food and for making things. Goats From these came milk and meat. The people also made cheese from the milk, wove the goats strong black hair into cloth for tent-making, and used goatskins to make water-bottles and clothes for themselves. Sheep These, too, supplied milk and meat. Their wool was spun and woven into warm tunics and cloaks. Cattle Once again, they were used for milk and meat. Their skins were made into leather for clothes. Oxen were used for pulling ploughs and threshing sledges. Asses (Donkeys), Mules and Camels These were used for carrying loads, and for riding. Horses Only kings and rich people owned horses. They were ridden for pleasure, and they were also used in battle. What was an animal sacrifice? An animal sacrifice was when an animal was killed and offered to God. Why did they keep so many? In very early times a man s wealth was measured by the number of possessions he owned, including his servants and animals. Job was known as a very rich man. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, one thousand head of cattle and five hundred donkeys (Job 1:3)! Before coins were minted, people would buy and sell goods by exchanging, or bartering cattle. In The Bible you will find many references to these animals. Here are some of the verses you might want to look at: Genesis 32: 14-15, Exodus 26:7, Hebrews 11:37. Why did the people of the Old Testament sacrifice animals to God? They did this for various reasons. One was that they wanted to give the best they had to God. They made sacrifices when they wanted to say thank you. Noah did this when he and his family came safely out of the Ark after the great flood (Genesis 8:20). They made sacrifices to show they were grateful to God for His love and care, as Abel did in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:4). They made sacrifices when they wanted to ask God for forgiveness, and to help them, as David did when the plague was destroying the men of Israel (Genesis 21: 1-28). But Samuel said to Saul, God would rather you obeyed Him than made these sacrifices and burnt offerings! (1 Samuel, 15:32). Jesus Himself was sacrificed, on the cross, when He was punished for the wrong things we have done so that we could be forgiven. From then on, people no longer needed to sacrifice animals to God.

5 Did the Bible people keep animals as pets? Every family which could afford it would buy at least two lambs at the time of the Feast of the Passover. One was killed and eaten as part of the celebrations, but the other would be kept as a pet. It would be brought up with the children, and sometimes even be allowed to drink out of their cups! As it grew old enough, it would be sheared and its wool used to make clothes for the family (2 Samuel 12: 1-3). Why was the lamb so important in Israel s history? The lamb was often used as a sacrifice. Later, Jesus was called the Lamb of God because He, too, was to be sacrificed (John 1:29). Was Jesus likened to any other animal? Jesus was once called lion of the tribe of Judah, because the lion stood for strength, courage and power (Revelation 5:5). Were the Bible people allowed to eat any kind of animal? Some animals were called clean, and some unclean. The Israelites were allowed to eat the clean animals, and there were rules explaining which was which. The rules applied to birds and fish as well as mammals (Deuteronomy 14: 3-21). Are many birds mentioned in The Bible? There are eagles, vultures, kites, falcons, horned owls, screech owls, hawks, little owls, great owls, white owls, desert owls, osprey, cormorants, storks, herons and hoopoes. There are also bats. Did Jesus like animals? We can be sure He loved them as part of God s creation. Also He spoke about them, and once said that although sparrows were sold very, very cheaply, not one of them fell to the ground without God knowing (Matthew 10: 29). Where does the expression scapegoat come from? A scapegoat is a person who takes the blame for another s wrong doing. On the most solemn day of the whole year, the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would make a sacrifice because of wrong doings the whole nation of Israel had done. The sacrifice would be to atone for the sins, or make up for them. The High Priest would bring two goats to the tabernacle. He would cast lots to see which goat should be killed. The other, the scapegoat, would be kept alive and sent into the wilderness to escape, as a symbol of taking sin away, out of the presence of God (Leviticus 16: 7-10). What did Jesus mean when He said He was the Good Shepherd? Jesus may have been thinking about Psalm 23, where David talks about the Lord being his shepherd. Jesus meant that He loves and cares for His sheep. If they follow Him they need never be afraid (Psalm 23; John 10: 14). The symbol of the good shepherd was a very powerful one for the people because much of their time was spent looking after animals. Were there any very large creatures in Bible times? Isaiah talks about a leviathan a huge, gliding, coiling sea serpent (Isaiah 27:1). In Job, God describes a behemoth. It ate grass, but it was immensely strong. Its tail swung backwards and forwards like a cedar tree in the wind. Its limbs were like rods of iron. It used to lie under the lotus trees, hidden amongst the reeds in the marsh; and it wasn t afraid even when the river Jordan raged (Job 40: 13-23). Some people think the behemoth was a dinosaur.

6 Which wild animals are mentioned in the Bible? Lions and Bears These could be dangerous to both people and animals. Shepherds had to watch their flocks very carefully, or the lambs might be seized and eaten ( 1 Samuel 17: 34). Kings hunted lions, and also kept them in pits or dens. People who had displeased the king would be thrown in, to be torn to pieces. Samson once killed a lion; and passing it later found that a swarm of bees had settled in its dead body. He made up a riddle: Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. If you look up the story in the Bible, you ll be able to find out whether or not anyone solved the riddle (Judges 14: 12-17)! (Or perhaps you could ask your parents or teachers if they can solve it.) Daniel was thrown into a den of lions because he refused to stop worshipping God, and worship King Darius instead; but God kept Daniel safe and unharmed (Daniel 6). Lions were hunted to such an extent that by New Testament times it was rare to see a wild lion in Israel. Two Syrian brown bears once attacked a crowd of young men who were making fun of the prophet Elisha. The bears mauled 42 of the mob (2 Kings 2: 23, 24)! Syrian brown bears still live in the Middle East, although they have disappeared from Israel itself. Foxes These small animals like fruit, and often damage the low grape vines which grow in Israel. Jesus must have watched the little foxes, seeing them on their lone hunting expeditions, and noticing their lairs. Once He said, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man (Himself) has nowhere to lay His head, (Matthew 8: 20) Jackals Jackals lived and hunted in packs, searching for their food at night. Although in the story of Samson, it says he caught 300 foxes, it s much more likely that they were jackals. Leopards Leopards were well known to the Israelites of Bible times. They are mentioned both by Isaiah and Jeremiah. Isaiah looks forward to the day when the leopard won t kill even a goat and Jeremiah asks whether the leopard can changes his spots (Isaiah 11: 6, Jeremiah 13: 23). Wolves Wolves were thought to be very fierce because they killed sheep and lambs for food. Jesus told His followers to be careful of people who came to them pretending to be as innocent as sheep, but were really as dangerous as wolves (Matthew 7: 15). Deer Fallow deer, roe deer, antelopes, gazelles and ibex were all found in Bible lands. They are often mentioned in the Bible.

7 Read on below to discover what each class will be learning about in RE this term Reception St Francis Our theme for the first half term will be What makes us special? The children will investigate people s similarities and differences and celebrate the fact that we are all unique. For the second half term we will focus on The Church to link to our topic of People who help us. During this time children will learn about why we attend church, names of parts of the church and will have a class visit from Father Taemin. Year 1 St Joseph During this half Term, Year 1 will be looking at Easter Symbols and know that the cross is a Christian symbol. They will learn that on Good Friday Christians remember Jesus death on the Cross, that on Easter Day Christians celebrate Jesus being alive again. They will learn about who David was and why he was chosen by God. To know why he was victorious over Goliath. In the second half term Year 1 will be learning about Jesus and how he grew up. They will also be given an introduction to Judaism and find out why the Torah is a special book. Year 2 St Paul In R.E this term we will spend the first week completing our Easter topic, whereby we will reflect on how we celebrated Easter with our families. We will also be learning about how the Christian church celebrates Jesus death and resurrection. We will then move on to focussing on the story of Joseph and how events led up to the family being united once again and forgiving one another. The next half term, we will be moving on to learn about the Islamic faith and studying what prayer means to Islamic people and how special the Qu ran is to them.

8 Year 3 St Alban and St Bernadette Firstly, we will be celebrating St. George's Day and remembering why St. George is such an important Saint for England. This term, we will be focussing on The Jewish Way of Life. We will be looking at the customs and festivals and making comparisons with our own religion, Christianity. We will look at the teachings in the Torah and the family customs and compare them to our own. We will also visit a local Synagogue. Jewish Festivals We will be researching some of the Jewish festivals and make comparisons with our own Festivals Christian Symbolism We will research some of the symbols used within the Christian Church. Light, Fire, Water, and how these are used within our Christian Festivals and practises, e.g. Baptisms. We will learn how to interpret these symbols and reflect on their meaning. Year 4 St Peter In Year 4, we will be celebrating St George s Day and remembering why St George is such an important saint of England. We will learn about his values and qualities perseverance, courage and determination. We will conclude our work on Jesus Parables to identify their purpose and understand what lessons we can learn from them Next, we will be looking at Moses the leader and understand what Christians, Jews and Muslims might learn from the story of Moses. In addition, the children will reflect on some important qualities Moses had and see what they can learn from them. Year 5 St Sebastian We begin this term with our Bible Explorer project. Pathways lead these sessions for us and the children experience a whistle stop tour through the entire Old Testament in 5 weeks! Sessions are brought to life through drama and rhyme as well as a series of hand gestures to help us remember the entire story. We will then look at Creation. We will learn about the creation story from Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and compare and contrast them. Following this we will find out about how the story of creation effects peoples understanding of human responsibility for the natural world. Finally we will look at what it means to be a Steward of Creation and how our actions and choices can have a positive effect on the world. Year 6 St Cecilia We will be exploring our Christian beliefs, faith and values explored through our topic Pilgrimages. We are very lucky to also have Bible Explorers teaching us about the New Testament which will include: the books of the bible, the long awaited King of Israel, who is Jesus and how the good news started to spread during Summer Term 2.

9 Our School Prayer Oh God of all creation create a strong foundation of happiness and peace to learn and increase Our understanding for all we of St. George s Primary School will believe and achieve and keep the rules treat everyone the same and glorify your name Amen The Lord s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory Amen.