Friends, this month’s Weaving Faith collection of resources comes after too long a delay: pivot fatigue has been real and family milestones have been many (my youngest just graduated High School, our 25th anniversary is next week, and I will be voted in as a deacon in full connection next week at the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church – phew & yay!!). Thank you for your grace and understanding.
From what I am hearing, many of us, while excited about a return to normal, are also a bit tired after a year + of pivoting, innovating, and adapting. In light of that, this month’s Weaving Faith resources focus on living and leading well as we move out of the pandemic.
A sneak preview, just for you! This week Launch! Faith Formation, which I create with fellow deacons Tanya Campen and Kathy Pittenger, will drop a new series: Leading Well. Part I focuses on Rest. I pray that you are practicing self care and getting good, sabbath rest! These playlists each have a short video/podcast, reflection sheet, and additional curated resources.
Speaking of Rest: some of my favorite early writing connects family, faith, summer vacation, and sabbath. We recently revisited California, one of the trips I reflected on when my girls were just becoming teenagers. On our most recent trip we helped our college daughter move apartments. Wow.
Longing for a Better Normal? When we are well rested, we are better able to reflect on what “a better normal’ might look like in our homes and in our faith communities. Click here to read short reflections from parents in my church paired with articles from the Parent Wellness Compass book (a free resource found here).
Facing a pastoral or leadership transition (especially UMC folks)? This page has several children’s sermons, a check list for ministry leaders, and other links to say a good farewell to those who are called elsewhere and extend a warm welcome to new leaders.
Tools for Fall Planning: Are you ready to get to the nuts and bolts of a new program year? Check out my brief planning guide for 2021-2022 posted on Building Faith.
Visit my Etsy Shop for a more robust planning guide with thirteen workbook pages detailing my 7-step process for developing a fall plan, along with space for notes, and a curated list of additional, expert resources. This workbook focuses on identifying the unique shifts needed for your church to thrive in a post-covid world.
Ending with a blessing: This got a bit longer than I imagined – so I will end here with a blessing that I wrote for the end of our Godly Play year that was originally posted on Building Faith. I was humbled to learn that it was shared at last week’s Godly Play conference.
As you make your journey, may God come so close to you and you come so close to God that you know all of God is in every place- in all of creation…
Remember that you are forever part of this sacred circle, where the Spirit moves among us like a dove bringing comfort, strength, and power. You are storytellers and peacemakers, light bearers, and people of God, who are creating the part that hasn’t been written yet.
Grace, Peace, and Good Rest,
Christine
Christine V Hides 