Six New Things: Week of August 17

One

Leigh Finke has edited two helpful books: one for your teens: Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens (Augsburg Fortress) offers “insight and support from an amazing group of LGBTQ+ professionals, as well as testimonies from young adult queer Christians who’ve recently been exactly where” your questioning teens are; and one for you and other adults/mentors: Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth (Broadleaf). Use them both to let your LGBTQ+ teens know they are beloved children of God!

Two

The illustrated, She’s My Dad (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), narrated from a child’s perspective, explains why misgendering is damaging and emphasizes the need to treat trans people with respect (for ages ~3-7); a helpful read for children who have a family member who is transitioning.

Three

As students, teachers and parents transition into what is assuredly the most unusual, anxiety-ridden and complicated school year any of us has seen, Rev. Elsa Cook, from her blog Cooking with Elsa, offers a slough of Backpack Blessings in Coronatide. There are some excellent ideas in here.

Four

On another note: David Zahl’s Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do about It (Broadleaf) might open some eyes and generate interesting and fruitful discussions.

Five

Speaking of fruitfulness: LeaderWise is offering a September-long, on-line series on Leading in Tumultuous Times: get enriched so you can bear good fruit in your ministry; the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area is offering their 2020-2021 Anti-Racism Spiritual Pilgrimage and Lewis Center for Church Leadership suggests 8 Steps for Moving from Protest Moment to Social Action Movement so leaders can help us all bear the good fruits of justice and equity.

Six

Continuing in our fruit-bearing theme: LCCL also suggests 3 Ways to Reset Your Stewardship Ministry in the Midst of Covid19 and Worship Times chimes in with Online Giving in the Year 2020.