Six New Things – Week of February 7, 2022
In the midst of grief over the police shooting of Amir Locke and the tragic murder of Jahmari Rice, Christ’s call to love takes on renewed urgency as we explore the complex histories and emotions of Black fathers and sons; family heritages; Black History Month; exploring all our feelings; and the emerging Beloved Community.
ONE
As we again grieve the too-young deaths of too many black men and boys, Letters to the Sons of Society: A Father’s Invitation to Love, Honesty, and Freedom (Convergent) helps us “envision a different, better way forward” with “the perfect roadmap… to remove the… obstacles against our true feelings”.
TWO
Interpreting history through another familial lens, Translating Your Past: Finding Meaning in Family Ancestry, Genetic Clues, and Generational Trauma (Herald) “helps readers …translate our own pasts and understand why these stories matter” – with questions and discussion prompts as well as tools to “transform… [one’s] unique family history into living, faith-filled heritage”.
THREE
To pass that heritage on to the next generation, Joe Davis offers We Rise Higher: Prayers and Poems for Graduates (Augsburg Fortress).
Keep younger kids learning, engaging, and growing this summer with SparkHouse’s Families Celebrate Summer – 56 colorful cards full of faith-based activities, rituals, reflections and other ideas for families to try at home or on the road.
FOUR
Deepen the affection and belonging within families by learning how to share deep and powerful emotions: God Made All Your Feelings (Beaming) is ideal for helping Littles process big feelings; Bad Things, Good People and God (Morehouse) invites tweens and teens to wrestle with the complexities of the world and the Divine.
FIVE
For an intergenerational approach to powerful emotions, our new Fresh & Free Resource for Lent, Openings, invites all ages to explore the same complex and challenging emotions Jesus experienced in his final days while preparing for a Good Friday Stations of the Cross that will open participants to greater personal awareness and deeper love for Christ and neighbor.
Rev. Elsa Anders Cook’s Our Whole Hearts approaches Lent in a similar fashion and includes: Weekly Prayers; Questions for the Heart; Preaching Inspiration; Music and Art Inspiration; and Simple Practices – i.e., hands-on activities.
SIX
How might we “expand our sense of self to include love, healing, and forgiveness… for all?” The Center for Action and Contemplation – home of Friar Richard Rohr – offers a new monthly mailing, We Conspire, featuring wisdom from the emerging Christian contemplative movement for spiritual seekers on a journey to find their place in the Beloved Community.
