Experiencing and exploring faith with your family.
For Kids
Faith at Home Lenten Discussion for small children, elementary children, teens and adults. https://www.forma.church/lent-week-1/
We love Ferel Church Kids at Christ Church: "I love that young people are in church, not for a specified purpose, but just to “be.” Just to hang out. Just to be bored. Just to poke around... They form relationships, they form their own community." Read the full article on the benefits of kids just being at church. https://www.buildfaith.org/feral-church-children-why-kids-need-to-hang-out-at-church/
Choosing a Children's Bible: Research shows that Bible reading is a critical part of faith development for children of every age. Whether you are looking for a Bible to read as a family, to use in church or Sunday school, or as gift, there are many options to choose from. This article will hopefully make choosing the right Bible for your family a easier. https://www.buildfaith.org/choosing-a-childrens-bible/
Prayer Sticks- A Holy Home Activity: Family prayer, and other traditions, create a sense of rootedness, helping children and adults to navigate the ups and downs of daily life. This less than three minute, daily prayer activity is a tactile way to pray with intentionality and gratitude. https://www.buildfaith.org/prayer-sticks/
FAITH5™ (Faith Acts In The Home): FAITH5™ is a simple, easy-to-implement faith practice, perfect for incorporating into your bedtime routine for five to fifteen minutes a night. When done over time, the FAITH5™ carries the power to enrich communication, deepen understanding, aid sleep, and promote mental, physical and spiritual health. www.faith5.org
Acts of Kindness: We often get caught up with the busyness of life and miss those small moments to make or break another person's day. Take time to practice random acts of kindness and see how your week is transformed. http://vibrantfaithathome.org/item/acts-of-kindness
Liturgical Calendar
http://myfaithmylife.org/2018/10/19/liturgical-calendars-for-2018-19/
For Adults
Shining Light In Dark Places - When Your Teen Mentions Suicide
Here are some resources regarding suicide. Hearing about recent suicides of children so young lately, is heart wrenching. When Sunday school starts back in January, we will be focusing on Love of Self with our K-5th graders, because learning to love yourself is the best prevention.
Need some resources to talk about violence with children and young people?
These two links are helpful ways to approach conversation and discussion:
https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/14/health/talking-to-kids-about-hate/
A Prayer for Times of Conflict (Episcopal Book of Common Prayer):
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
How to Write a Condolence Note: If you have ever written a condolence or sympathy note to someone whose loved one has died, you know how difficult it can be. In this day of emails and texts, it is even harder to sit down and put pen to paper. Remember that a physical card, note, or letter is deeply meaningful to those receiving it. This article provides some reasons for writing and a few thoughts on what you might write. https://www.buildfaith.org/write-condolence-note/
Sacred Space: Make a Sacred Space in your life using a daily prayer to focus you on God’s presence. A scripture is chosen for each day to accompany the prayers. On screen guidance is provided. www.sacredspace.ie
Lectio-Divina: A devotional based on the lectionary. Each Monday the scripture for the upcoming Sunday is sent to you. Following the scripture is an overall explanation. Then the steps of lectio-divina -Meditation, Oration, Contemplation - and presented based on the lectionary reading. www.americanbible.org/resources/lectio-divina