Six New Things – Week of June 14, 2021

We’re all about discovering God anew this week: in a plurality of images, in otherized peoples, incarnate in creation, accompanying young people, leading us out of a pandemic, and within ourselves.

ONE

In the gorgeous picture book, What Is God Like? (Penguin Random House), the late, beloved Rachel Held Evans and Matthew Paul Turner (When God Made You) answer many children’s first question about God.

TWO

Illustrated Ministry shares a Pride Month Facebook profile add-on celebrating the expansive image of God in everyone and a Blessing of the Backpacks and Back-to-School liturgy – ready to go for the end of summer (along with their (newest) backpack tags, of course!).

Walking for Water (CitizenKid) is an inspiring story of individual activism in which a boy recognizes gender inequality when his sister must stop attending school – and decides to do something about it.

The Art of Indigenous Inculturation (Orbis) explores religious inculturation from the perspective of “postcolonial cultures” as it amplifies the heroic efforts of peoples of Asia, Latin America, and Africa who have “upheld their authentic cultural identity and historical agency”.

THREE

Study & Worship for Progressive Churches: Creation (Progressive Christianity) is an all-in-one study and worship resource that includes everything a congregation needs to enable children, youth, parents, and grandparents to share together in a five-week study of the biblical stories of creation.

FOUR

J2A: Journey to Adulthood (Church Publishing) is an online, downloadable spiritual formation program for 6th-12th grades made up of inclusive, relational Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and activities. Developmentally appropriate lessons are arranged in categories of Self, Society, and Spirituality within three two-year segments.

Our friend Michel Le Gribble (Story & Stretch) is setting up a YouTube channel! Current videos include mostly breath practices to help adults and kids destress and feel fully at peace.

FIVE

Thriving Beyond COVID, from Rev. Jeff Linman, is a scripture-based small and large group study that will encourage, inspire, and challenge members and get them in a positive frame of mind for your post-COVID journey. This two-minute video is an introduction. A leader guide, small and large group participant guides, as well as videos are available for free download here.

The Upper Room’s new, weekly email, One in Ministry (set to begin June 21, 2021) features leaders of The Upper Room and their ministry partners offering a short, practical tip on a range of real-life issues including congregational life, handling conflict, financial management, preaching, and self-care.

SIX

Speaking of self-care: in Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving (Penguin Random House), author Celeste Headlee examines long-held assumptions revealing that long-held habits are doing us harm and must be broken.

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Take care, beloved siblings, and lead with an eye for God’s presence and leading as we emerge from the tomb/womb of the past months.