Six New Things – Transfiguration to Easter Special

To not overwhelm this week’s Six New Things, it feels wise to separate out these seasonally specific resources.

Please find a more general/comprehensive Six New Things for this week here.

Global and national events will rightfully inform our observations and celebrations in the coming Seasons of Lent and Easter; here are a few ideas to help you prepare.

ONE

Illustrated Ministry’s Transfiguration Sunday Materials (including all the necessities like reflections, children’s resources, liturgy, curriculum, etc.) – focus on ‘how this ancient story weaves together with our current reality’, explore ‘clarity in the midst of disorientation’, and wonder:

    • How do we sort through the cluttered noise to discover God’s affirmation and our divine invitation?
    • What does it mean for us to embrace our most radiant, God-given selves?
    • How do we follow Jesus beyond the mountaintop and into justice?

Find more in our Transfiguration Sunday lib guide.

TWO

The Transfiguration story features prominently in an open letter I am sending out to congregations and judicatories. Use whatever is helpful in whatever way. Please cite me as you do.

This Open Letter is embedded in The Ministry Lab’s Year-in-Review. Please read and share widely!

THREE

Traci Smith shared this year’s Family Faith Practices Calendar for Lent 2025.

Find more in our Lent: Children & Families lib guide.

FOUR

The beautiful Book of Belonging now has a companion Adult Small Group Lenten Study Guide, that includes:

    • an orienting essay
    • a reading guide
    • weekly spiritual practice
    • additional/related resources
    • small group guide/self-reflection guide

Find more in our Lent: Small Group Study Guides lib guide.

FIVE

It’s a work in progress – Weeks 3-6 are still taking shape – but we encourage folx to check out: Chrysalis: Courageous Imagination; Sacred Transformation.

Chrysalis invites congregations to imagine a future of God’s justice and abundance and be transformed as they live into that future.

Based on Building a Moral Economy (for adults), The Hunger Games (for teens), and theme-appropriate children’s books, the series includes intergenerational reading, worship, discussion, activities, spiritual practices, and justice work, through which congregations will explore the multitude of historical and ongoing injustices that have led to our current intersectional crises of climate change, racism, poverty, and political upheaval. Through progressive practices congregations are empowered and equipped to transform – from the inside out – into more just, equitable, and sustainable communities.

SIX

Mary and the Gardener (Beaming) introduces Mary as the first to see the Risen Christ and the first to share the Good News.

Easter: Look and Find Easter Stories for Young Children (Beaming) invites kids and loved ones to, ‘Celebrate the Easter story with hundreds of things to find and count’.

Find more in our Holy Week & Easter lib guide.