Six New Things: Week of August 10
One
To lead your congregation in the essential conversations of our time, you might share A House Divided: Engaging the Issues through the Politics of Compassion (Chalice); further discussion can be fueled with Born Again and Again: A Call to Radical Transformation and/or Jesus of the East: Reclaiming the Gospel for the Wounded (both from MennoMedia): sift through the issues, open dialogues and let the conversations become transformational and informative for members and neighbors: expand your community, your mind and your heart with these!!
Two
When children learn how to practice mindfulness and focus on thoughts that bring beauty, joy, and calm their lives – and they – are transformed. Catching Thoughts (Beaming) is a gentle introduction to mindfulness practices. [Some adults might find themselves transformed as they read and practice, too!]
Three
Lulu and the Hunger Monster (Free Spirit), a story of how poverty and food insecurity can affect adults and their children, can raise children’s awareness and can be used in group settings to address social justice issues in an accessible and encouraging way.
Four
Equip adults in your community for the work of transformation with Leader Wise’s, Unmasking Discovery: A Journey of Identity, Voice, and Impact, fall 2020, a 16-hour workshop with Okokon Udo on identifying masks which once served a purpose but now hold us back; Dementia & the Church Webinar which offers “Tools for Connecting with People Living with Dementia when Behaviors are Challenging”; and the Damascus Project’s Leadership Skills, which will equip participants to be spiritually grounded, self-aware, faithful and effective lay leaders in local congregations and in their wider communities; and heads-up: Church Anew has added Bishop Michael Curry as a Featured Speaker to next week’s free Being Church Today forum.
Five
Lewis Center for Church Leadership is by no means the only one focusing on Ministering with Families in the Ongoing Pandemic (they’ve also got a nice podcast on The Art of Hospitality and a blog with 3 Ways to Counter Online Fatigue).
Six
Check out PC(USA) Store’s Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible Curriculum, which has a new Free Guide to assist you in creating At-Home Kits; Dwell Flex is the latest iteration of Faith Alive Christian Resource’s long time favorite (and see the Dwell August Newsletter for some really great ideas on Using Dwell in a Covid-19 World; A Wonderful Way to Help Families Form Faith at Home this Fall; 5 Terrific Tips for Telling God’s Story with Children During Online Worship; and learn How Dwell’s Simplified Session Plans Will Equip Churches This Fall); and MennoMedia’s Shine! curriculum is continuously updated for families and children of all ages, with online supplies available.
