Helping Children Make Meaning: Tips for Holy Week
We need to find the meaning-filled place between a cute (but spiritually meaningless) Easter bunny and retellings of the cross that with potential for spiritual harm.
Latest Entries
Not Just for Children: Children’s Time Series for Lent
Click to Download 2018 Lent Children’s Time- Final, the complete, not-just-for-children’s time series. “Wait!” we were about to say, “Not THAT candle. Surely there is a mistake, that light cannot be extinguished.” This is not how the story ends! Before we could protest, the candle was re-lit with words of mystery and comfort. “The light … Continue reading
Lent and Easter Inspiration: 2018
From bookmarks to praygrounds to prayer stations, a list of resources for your planning. Continue reading
Prayground Activities for the 2018 Lenten Season – Year B Lectionary
And now we begin to prepare for Lent… Use the code “BLESS30” to receive 30% off Lenten Prayer Station downloads in the new Etsy shop. Please sign up for the email list to receive downloadable bookmarks and upcoming special offers.. I’ve written previously about the challenges and joys of offering an activity for children in a … Continue reading
Free Fall Leaf Photos
Who doesn’t need a few photos suitable for social media backgrounds? Here are seven copyright free photos taken by me. I used one of the photos in Canva to make this week’s prayer of the week. Enjoy! Continue reading
Stories that Shape Us & and Invitation to Share Yours
Recently, a dear friend told that she was wondering what to do next when she realized that parts of the story of my life helped her to navigate through her challenging, similar situation. My heart was touched to learn that the memories and stories I have shared with her over the years helped her in … Continue reading
Cairn Building: Thoughts from Spring Break
One of the highlights of our spring break travels to Arizona and Utah was an unplanned trip to a lesser known canyon. Away from the lines and well worn trails of the national parks we visited, we were able to explore at our own pace. My nephew enjoyed the freedom to discover “hidey holes” in the … Continue reading
Free 2018-2019 Planning Calendar
Click here to download the totally FREE 2018-2019-lesson-planner-blank. Over the years, I’ve found it helpful to have the ability to see an entire season of lessons for all ages laid out in once place. Created in Microsoft Word, please feel free to adapt it for your needs. I’d love to see how it works for … Continue reading
Missing my Grandmother, Reflecting on the UMC
Hearing the news today of the constitutional amendments that did not pass in the UMC makes me deeply aware of how much I miss my Grandma Voreis. She has influenced my faith more than any other person on earth. She was passionate disciple of Jesus, a teacher, a mother, a grandmother, an artist, and a … Continue reading
Resources for Pastor & Staff Changes
Part III of the Collected Works series is an important one in this season of ministry transitions. You may have noticed I haven’t been blogging as frequently as usual. In addition to finishing up seminary and preparing for ordination interviews, I’m co-leading the planning of a conference youth ministry workshop and college searching with my … Continue reading
Collected Works II: Pentecost
You may have noticed I haven’t been blogging as frequently as usual. In addition to finishing up seminary and preparing for ordination interviews, I’m co-leading the planning of a conference youth ministry workshop and college searching with my oldest daughter. Phew! For the next little bit my blog posts will be collections of previous posts … Continue reading
Collected Works: Summer
You may have noticed I haven’t been blogging as frequently as usual. In addition to finishing up seminary and preparing for ordination interviews, I’m co-leading the planning of a conference youth ministry workshop and college searching with my oldest daughter. Phew! For the next little bit my blog posts will be collections of previous posts … Continue reading
Mathy-Crafty-Faithy Things!
This post combines some of my favorite things: math, crafts, and faith! After watching the movie, A Wrinkle in Time, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about its rich metaphors for love and grace. The Madeleine L’Engle’s book holds a special place in my heart, because it was the book that enabled me to … Continue reading
Summer Lesson Options that Work
Summer Faith Formation is both an opportunity and a challenge in a church of our size (weekly worship attendance between 60-80 and Sunday school attendance from 5-20). Earlier this week I asked our leadership team for feedback on four curriculum options for summer. I named what we wanted to be intentional about our annual reprieve … Continue reading
