Six New Things – Week of January 10, 2022

We hope to honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Archbishop Desmond Tutu as we move toward Beloved Community, explore womanist theology, engage spiritual practices to restore and renew, and inspire the hope and joy of activism in young people and families.

ONE

Krista Tippett unveils a new, simpler version of the Wisdom App as she remembers Archbishop Desmond Tutu with a call to rest, renewal, and joy.

Rev. Elsa Anders Cook’s Prayers to Celebrate Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a compilation of fantastic resources for creating a Sunday that remembers both Tutu and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Find additional Worship resources for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday, here; find preaching resources here.

Find study resources for all ages:

TWO

Find wisdom for guiding your congregation toward becoming more and more what King called, The Beloved Community, with Beyond Welcome: Building Communities of Love (Skinner).

THREE

Promote self-love among Black women and develop “new levels of understanding and transformation for non-Black women and allies” with Red Lip Theology (Convergent).

FOUR

Strengthen family ties and “inspire compassion and courage” for the journey toward equity and justice (for people and creation) with Los Altos UMC’s Family Time Kit or something wonderful from Muddy Church’s Idea-a-Day.

If your families include members with special intellectual needs, check out Arc’s “free hub of on-demand activities“, including projects in the arts, life skills, health and wellness, virtual clubs, and more.

FIVE

If your small congregation needs inspiration and support – especially around worship renewal – check out Teresa Stewart: she recently discuss Creating Powerful Worship in Smaller Congregations, based on regular offerings at her Small Church blog and her upcoming webinars at Paper Bag Cathedrals.

SIX

But if your concern right now is the real possibility of Clergy Burnout: Surviving in Turbulent Times (Fortress), then you may just need to take a breather – and The Ministry Lab has got you covered.

Our Midweek Retreat is now a podcast: rest in the Divine Presence with a gently-led meditation whenever you can take a 10-15 minute break. Request your weekly link, here.

And our Epiphany Worship Service is a 45-minute movement liturgy, led by Michel Gribble, featuring music from Billy McLaughlin, with readers and leaders from member congregations around Minnesota. It’s free to members and a lovely way to spend any Sunday morning in the Season after the Epiphany. Allow yourself a Sunday “off” – any time until February 20, 2022. Request access here.

Find wisdom, tips, and tools for developing a healthy relationship with rest and renewal in our Sabbath & Rest lib guide.