Six New Things – Week of July 29, 2024

The vast expanse and diversity of creation affords us endless opportunities for amazement. Intentionality helps us nestle into wonder, rest in awe, and reconnect with nature to find our true humanity. ONE Sink into a World of Wonders: In Praise…

Poll Chaplains

This Great Idea is inspired by questions on a text thread, was quashed when I learned that training is not provided in MN, then rekindled by Heather Cox Richardson's post for July 28, 2024 - a powerful look at key moments in US history that…

Taking VBS/VBC to the Community

This Great Idea is inspired by the North Georgia Conference UMCT article, Grace UMC Forsyth Takes VBS Children in Their Community. Grace UMC's Backpack Buddies ministry, which they carry out in partnership with the Monroe County school system,…

Six New Things – Week of July 22, 2024

July is a whirlwind: it's Disability Pride Month; it's a do-everything-outside month; it's almost get ready for back-to-school month; and this week/year it's a hurricane-in-the-socio-political pool month. It's enough to send heads spinning -…

Summer Welcome for Children & Families

Thanks to Ruth Sall for writing up this Great Idea on the SparkHouse blog. Ruth Sall is the Director for Children's Ministry and Music at Abington Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania. She writes, 'One of the challenges my congregation…

Nature Time

This Great Idea was inspired by the article, The Fourth Pillar of Health: Nature Time by Misty Pratt in Yes! Magazine (July 10, 2024). It was fueled by this quote from John Muir, which I found while searching for a congregation doing outdoor…

Six New Things – Week of July 15, 2024

Politics and polarization are at the fore this week - and may be for a while. Here are tools for engaging essential conversations, casting a vision of God's future, and inviting even our Littles to embrace healthier relationships with self and…

Talk about Faith – AND Politics

Thanks to Diana Butler Bass for sharing these insights in her blog, The Cottage. Butler Bass explores the myth (encouraged by right-wing evangelical leaders and pundits) that 'radical clerical politics' caused the 1980s (and following) decline…

Six New Things – Week of July 8, 2024

The 4th has come and gone, yet justice, liberty, and community remain elusive. Here's inspiration for, by, and about change-makers - from contemporary young people to biblical prophets; healers - for the body politic and body, mind, and soul;…

Intergenerational Communication

Thanks to Nicole Havelka from Defy the Trend for sharing this Great Idea in a recent email. After meeting with a cohort of team leaders earlier this spring, Nicole realized that several important conversations boiled down to one clear and…