September 29: Seeing Hope in All Faith Traditions

Be an Example of Hope, Week One

Seeing Hope in All Faith Traditions
As a Christian minister and parent, my wife and I have decided to raise our children in the Christian faith. They have both been dedicated as infants in worship. They have begun to participate in Children, Worship and Wonder and sing with other children in choir. We hope they will both be baptized one day as a continued expression of their faith that will continue into adulthood. As they journey, I often wonder how they will encounter people of other faith traditions. Before our first child was born, I wrote the following for a local newspaper article:

“I hope our child will see other faith traditions as conversation partners instead of religious

http://www.coloringpages101.com/religions-coloring-pages

adversaries. Should our child embrace Islam, I hope it will teach me about the five pillars. If our child embraces Judaism, I hope it will open the Hebrew Scriptures to me in a new way. If our child follows a Buddhist path, I hope it will lead me in the pathways of meditation and contemplation. If our child walks away from God and religion completely, I hope it will still respect and support the ministerial calling to which I have made vows.”

How will you explore religious diversity and interfaith dialogue with your children? (See resources below.)

Prayer:
God of all people, open our eyes to the beauty of diversity. Open our hearts to the many expressions of your love. Open our ears to the stories and experiences of another. Hear our prayer. Amen.

John 6:9-11
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

(Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.)

Resources and Links

Rev. Snow has found two books helpful in exploring diversity and interfaith conversations with children:
The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper (illustrated by Gabs Swiatkowska)
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox (illustrated by Leslie Staub)

Others: http://gifts.katinkahesselink.net/children-books-spiritual.html 

The Interfaith Observer: http://www.theinterfaithobserver.org/themes/ 
Interfaith Coloring Book for Kids: http://www.jesusjazzbuddhism.org/interfaith-coloring-book.html 

Rev. Kevin Snow, Ministry Team, Lee’s Summit Christian Church, MO

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

September 28: Simply Welcome Them

Be an Example of Hope, Week One

Simply Welcome Them

Welcome them,

Jesus said “Let the little children come to me…” Simply welcoming them, being intentional about how you welcome them, lets a child know that they matter to the fabric of faith, and the body of believers. And if they matter as a youth, they will rest assured that they matter into adulthood. A simple way of welcome is quiet bags…they can be a simple as faith based coloring books, and crayons, or you can get elaborate with some felt, hot glue, and sewing skills. (See Resources Below.)

Please pray with me, Lord, when we are welcomed by your people, we know we are loved, we know we matter, and for this welcome we pray for all of your children. Amen. 

John 6:9-11
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

(Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.)

Resources

Church Quiet Bags: https://www.pullingcurls.com/quiet-bags-for-church.html 

https://www.pinterest.com/kararswartz/quiet-book-ideas/ 

Families & Children's Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/disciplesfcm/ 

Rev. Kara R. Swartz, Minister at Hooker Memorial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Greenville, NC and a Keynoter for Created to Be Me Camp part of Just Say Know Ministries.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

September 27: Youth are Still Our Children

Be an Example of Hope, Week One

Youth are Still Our Children

Youth and children are navigating a time and place that is precarious in so many ways. Of course, to be fair, all adults’ time in adolescence was laden with rough edges and insecurity, but each generation’s dangers are unique.  In my 15 years plus of ministry, what strikes me most about today’s youth and children are the striking messages they are inundated with through social media, television, movies, and even their rare exposure to print media.  They are told what to look like, what not to look like, what to think, what to say, who to love, who

not to love…and the signals are often contradictory and confusing.  As we wade through all of these expectations with our young people, there is good news!  We are a voice in their midst, as well.  And boy oh boy, do I and other ministers I know have a lot to say on the matter!  Through our studies of the imperfect people that God confidently chose to pass along God’s covenant to the people, through conversations about how God sees each of us in contrast to how the world sees us, and through activities that bring joy and inclusion for each person, regardless of how they are wired, we can show young people that they are valued and adored in overwhelming and beautiful ways!  

What message will young people hear from you and your church?  What tools of faith will they be given so that they can continue to maneuver life and its challenges?  What ancestors in faith might we teach them about so that they know that we all have a place in God’s world?

Prayer:  God of love and life, walk with us and the young people with whom we serve as we continue to discover how fearfully and wonderful we are made.  May we all be empowered to share your love and hope with the world, so that your peace and justice may reign.  Amen. 

John 6:9-11
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

(Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.)

Resources and Links
Visit https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/teens/reform/ to find resources for youth that encourage conversation on tough issues of faith, introduce ancestors of the faith, and uncover the “whys” of our church traditions.

Shannon Cook is the Minister of Faith Development at First Christian Church in Norman, OK.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

September 26: Loaves and Love

Be an Example of Hope, Week One

Loaves and Love

My friend's grandson asked if she could take him downtown the following Saturday. She assumed it was for an event or to meet his friends. However, he said he was preparing sack lunches to give to the homeless in the area. He wished he had enough to serve everyone, but that wasn’t going to stop him from being a blessing to those that he could serve. There was a ripple effect. His grandmother was touched and offered to help him make additional lunches. Several more friends donated funds and food. The grandson’s initial plan to share a dozen or so lunches grew to an amount that would bless nearly ten times more people than he expected. After they had passed out the meals, he smiled and said, “Now I know how the little boy felt in the bible story… he had a little, but with Jesus and love, you get a whole lot more.”

John 6:9-11
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

(Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.)

Resources and Links
Offering of letters - Bread for the World’s annual Offering of Letters campaign engages churches, campuses, and other faith communities in writing letters to Congress and present them as an offering to God before mailing them. Engage in a family offering of letters. http://www.bread.org/2017-offering-letters

Volunteer at food bank - Search out food banks in your local area. Ask the organizations what items they need and go as a family unit to donate. Ask if there are volunteer opportunities for adults and children to work together. http://www.gcfb.org/about_gcfb

Sheila Spencer, Director Christian Education/Faith Formation & Assistant to the President of Disciples Home Missions

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.

September 25: How We Bring Light Together

Be an Example of Hope, Week One

Art Doodle Gallery 

How We Bring the Light Together

When I first got this job, it took me awhile to connect all the dots around Light a Candle. I knew about the devotional part, but I did not know the history. As you join in this time of preparation towards Children’s Sabbath (October 22), here are some insights that may help you as they have helped me.

It is about the children. First and foremost, we are striving to give you, families, singles, and even children ways to focus on creating relationships that heal for all children.

Children’s Sabbath is part of the Children’s Defense Fund’s “Faith-Based Initiative” programs. Our denomination uses Light a Candle as just one way to let individuals and churches take a moment to remember that God’s children need us. There are many other creative ways that are listed on the Children’s Sabbath website to participate. They include worship, mission work, and more. These can be done as a family, an individual, or as a church alongside our daily devotions.

Devotional life includes prayer and study. Over these next few weeks I invite you to study and pray through the scriptures, resources, and devotions. Take a few minutes to follow the links and see the types of conversations waiting for you with the Holy Spirit. Share what you learn, what bothers you, and how you can help our children.

Let us bless this journey, O God, as many voices gather to bring a multitude of ways to engage all of your children in knowing you better. Color our lives with new insights and even questions. Help us share with one another, at all stages, the best practices that bring us all closer to you. Through Jesus we connect best to you, Amen.

John 6:9-11
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

(Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.)

Resources and Links
Children's Defense Fund, Children's Sabbath
Light a Candle for Children Facebook Page
Light a Candle for Children Devotions
http://www.doodle-art-alley.com/

Rev. Dr. Olivia Bryan Updegrove: Families and Children’s Minister for Disciples Home Missions, and Part-Time Pastor for Independence Christian Church, KY.

*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.