Six New Things – Week of August 14, 2023

Confidence in one’s self leads to healthier relationships of all kinds: with contemporary grandparents and biblical brothers; saints both old and new; worshiping communities, creation, and God-in-the-world.

ONE

Ground your Littles in appreciation – for themselves and ‘the Other’ – with the ‘inspiring picture book that encourages kids to celebrate themselves and all the things that make them unique, especially their name’, with My Name (Macmillan)…

…and other resources from our Identity & Diversity lib guide.

TWO

A Generous Lap: A Spirituality of Grandparenting (Orbis), reflects on ‘how this stage of life may expand our hearts, enlarge our humanity, put us in touch with fundamental aspects of our selves, and allow opportunities for a more generous and fruitful life’.

Find Intergenerational curricula and additional Grandparent resources in our newly-created lib guide.

THREE

Expand the definition of ‘family’ with Richard Rohr’s newly revised Soul Brothers: Men in the Bible Speak to Men Today (Orbis), which utilizes biblical scholarship, reading the Bible psychologically, and character development to encourage us to ‘live consciously and creatively’.

Find additional lens-specific Adult Bible Study ideas in our newly-clarified lib guide!

FOUR

Introduce K-5th graders to Hebrew Scripture and New Testament characters like the five  daughters of Zelophehad, Lydia, and Hagar and Ishmael, with Illustrated Invitation: Joining God at Work in the World (Illustrated Ministry), a 12-week curriculum with a FREE SET of coloring posters (while physical supplies last).

Find additional Sunday School curricula in our lib guide.

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Invite Youth to relate to saints both old and new with the new Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints Companion Curriculum (Watchfire); the original companion curriculum can be found here.

Both can be found in our Affirmation of Baptism/Confirmation and Youth Ministry lib guides.

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Find, affirm, and prepare Mentors & Volunteers from and for ministry with all ages with ideas from our lib guide and recent Great Ideas.

FIVE

Further strengthen community bonds through rejuvenated worship: The Vital Worship / Vital Preaching Grant – of up to $25,000 – is now available from The Minnesota Council of Churches. The next application deadline is October 15, 2023.

SIX

‘Eco-distress is real.’ How to Live in a Chaotic Climate: 10 Steps to Reconnect with Our Selves, Our Communities, and Our Planet (Penguin Random House), ‘unpacks the social, political, and spiritual nuances of the climate emergency’ as it helps us ‘rediscover meaning, joy, and connection’ in the midst of increasing tumult.

Find more tips and encouragement in our Mindfulness & Emotional Awareness lib guides, especially Hope & Resilience.