Thanks to Lewis Center for Church Leadership and others for sharing these Great Ideas! Your congregation can play a key role (or several key roles) in boosting vaccinations in your area – especially among vulnerable and under-served populations. The AP reported on Faith Leaders Getting COVID-19 Shot to Curb Vaccine Reluctance and this recent Star […]
One Words completely fail to express our grief, terror, frustration, and anger over the senseless killing of Daunte Wright. In the gap between feeling utterly useless and desperately needing to make some contribution toward justice, we offer the following resources: This article lists opportunities to support Wright’s loved ones and community; Michelle S. Phelps‘ extensive research on Minneapolis policing is […]
Ruth Sall, Director of Children’s Ministry and Music at Abington Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania, shared this Great Idea via SparkHouse Publishing’s blog. Ruth talks about some of the hopes and joys she is experiencing as she prepares for more in-person summer gatherings with the young people she serves. In particular she affirms how working outside […]
Happy Easter! In this Resurrection Season, we’re putting two weeks’ worth of New Things into one post – and it’s all about New Life experienced through Justice & Liberation; Self-Awareness and Personal Growth; Belonging; Community Transformation; Faith & Hope; and Dying Well. One Justice & Liberation Archbishop Desmond Tutu has said, “If you are neutral […]
Thanks to Rev. Joel Vander Wal for creating and offering this Great Idea, and for the St Paul Area Synod, ELCA for sharing it in their newsletter. Rev. Vander Wal remembers feeling anxious and worried at the outset of the pandemic, back over a year ago. Determined to stay connected with families in the uncertain […]
Thanks to Christa Meland for sharing this Great Idea from Rev. Jo Anne Taylor of Willmar UMC in the MN Annual Conference UMC newsletter! In “Pandemic Prompts Willmar UMC to Look Outward”, Meland outlines three ways Rev. Jo Anne Taylor has led Willmar UMC to shift gears in order to reach more people in new […]
Six New Things will take a week off during Holy Week, but just to be sure you’ve got everything you need, here are our top picks for these High Holy Days: One Our own Rev. Emily Meyer’s Go Out with Joy Holy Week liturgies are free, downloadable, interactive, adaptable to in-person gatherings or at-home use, […]
First: This week’s Church Anew blog is full of important writing in response to the March 16 shootings in Atlanta. Find lists of ways to engage in the work of anti-racism and ending violence in the Community Engagement section of our home page. The road to peace is marked with safe places where everyone’s voice […]
Just so they didn’t get buried in a regular Six New Things, here are some last-minute quick ideas for an engaging, eventful Holy Week and Easter! One Tips & How-Tos for including children – and all generations – in Holy Week abound. Three solid articles full of good suggestions: 6 Creative Ways to Include Children […]
Thanks to Wayzata Community Church (UCC) and Rev. Lindy Purdy for creating this beautiful outdoor community invitation to prayer; and to Rev. Janet Holler for bringing it to our attention! Wayzata Community Church created an outdoor pilgrimage for the Season of Lent. It is available to the general public from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday […]