Inviting children to pass the peace

Since hearing Diana Butler Bass speak at CEF last October, I have been pondering her four-part “Agenda for Christian Formation.” Inspired by her book, Grounded, she suggests where and how people are searching for God:

• Spiritual Peace and Well Being
• Sense of Awe and Wonder about the Universe
• Deep Sense of Gratitude
• Engaging Meaning and Purpose of Life

Yesterday during worship, I used a wonderful picture book, What Does Peace Feel Like?, as a guided meditation for the entire congregation to remember a time they felt a sense of peace. Since our children’s time is right before passing of the peace, it was a perfect, experiential lead-in to that part of worship. Pull this book out anytime you find yourself searching for a moment of peace in a chaotic world.

Using this book during worship:

Ask everyone to close their eyes and imagine a time they felt peace:

What do…