Six New Things – Week of December 05, 2022

This can be a challenging time of year. Even when resisted, connection is key – through it, amazing things happen: social transformation, creation’s renewal, individual well-being, and collective joy. We look at connectivity and mental health across the generations; how connecting the Word, humans, and creation can reshape us all; and maybe a financial bonus for climate care work!!

ONE

As we approach the third week of Advent, many of us might appreciate someone Inciting Joy (Workman) – and since much of the book focuses on, ‘what brings us together’ and ‘what we love’, let’s take a look at lasting ways to  bring joy to others:

TWO

Mama’s Days (Reycraft) relates the story of a young girl who ‘spins a tale about a misunderstood dragon as she navigates her way through her mother’s unpredictable emotions’; a helpful tool for parents and children journeying through mental health challenges.

Find support for Mindfulness and care with families facing Mental Health or Addiction struggles in our lib guides.

THREE

Springtide Research shared three recent articles around how congregations and leaders can support better mental health in Gen Z-ers, including:

FOUR

Extend that affirmation throughout ‘the diversity of the entire LGBTQ+ community’ with Called Out: 100 Devotions for LGBTQ Christians (WJK) and empower folx ‘for the work of transforming the world’.

FIVE

Dig in deep to social transformation with Walter Brueggemann’s new Bible study series: Deliver Us (volume one) focuses on the exodus narrative and its articulation of divine liberation that leads to ‘a wholehearted transformation of social identities and relationships’; Our Hearts Wait: Worshiping through Praise and Lament in the Psalms (volume two; both WJK), ‘traces how the language of the psalms offers a template for liturgies that shape not only our collective worship and communities, but the worlds they create and sustain’.

SIX

For a truly transformative Bible study, check out Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible (Pilgrim), which ‘attends to the theological wonder of God’s first book: nature’.

Psalm 148 is all about nature – and we’ve compiled a wonderful free video reflection based on it; available to member congregations through Epiphany. Learn more and request the link here.

And just for fun: if your congregation is proud of your nature-renewing work, why not apply for IPL’s annual national contest recognizing ‘Cool Congregations’? There are six entry categories, including a new Electric Vehicle Leader. Projects completed from 2020-2022 are eligible. The deadline is December 15, 2022. Enter to win up to $1000!!