September 18: Providing Sanctuary

I want to turn away from all of the pictures of children suffering. Pictures of war torn countries, pictures of children who are victims of domestic violence who could live down the street. There are also other forms of violence that are less easily capture by pictures. The violence of the toxic waste dumped by a company that makes a kid sick. The violence of poisons that seep into the water and endanger an unborn child’s life in the womb. The violence of climate change that causes a famine, destabilizes governments, and leads to a civil war and thousands of refugee children. I want to turn away, to pretend like it is someone else’s problem. But we are called not just to look and lament, but to offer places of safety and sanctuary. When it comes to these other, slower forms of violence—the ones brought on by our abuse of creation—the sanctuary is not just limited to one place but it must extend to all places. To keep our children safe we must keep our watersheds and lands healthy. We cannot turn away, but we must face these problems with hope—for hope will be what gives us courage for the long work of healing slow violence. We need hope to trust and imagine that things can and will be different. To make our places safe we should take consolation in Paul’s hopeful promise that “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (Rm 8.26)

Lord open our eyes to the damage done to your creation and to the suffering this causes, and give us the courage and hope to transform our lands and towns into sanctuaries of your love and peace.

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Wilson Dickinson is a teacher, preacher, and writer who is struggling to live sustainably and faithfully in Central Kentucky with his wife and son. He is currently working on a couple of books (one on "The Wisdom of the Cross" and the other on "Psalms as Songs of Love and Loss"), seeking to cultivate Christian community around issues of sustainability, and will be teaching some at Lexington Theological Seminary this Fall.
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A Little More… First Steps in the Long Work of Healing Slow Violence by Wilson Dickinson
greengoodnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/first-steps-in-the-long-work-of-healing-slow-violence

Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 16: Listening Past the Noise

“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” —Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

Our world is filled with violent noise. The drums of war beat constantly in our culture, and the horns of anger blow constantly in our ears from the time we wake up in the morning until the time we lay down our heads at night. There are innocent people being murdered in our streets, and neighbors shouting blame on each other over their bodies. Our politicians, our newscasters, our civic leaders, and even our sisters, and even our brothers yell at one another in a constant concert of fear-filled violence. And where is our God?

Elijah knew that God was not in the raging fire, or the thunderous earthquake, or the whipping wind. God was in the silence. We know that God is not in the yelling, or the hatred, or the violence, or the murder. God is in the silence. It is important for us to find a quiet place where we can talk to God, and listen for God’s plan. It is also important for us to be a quiet place for others. Simply by listening to someone else’s story, YOU have the power to show them God’s love.

Let us pray: Loving God, We have ears to hear, so let us hear someone else’s cry for mercy so they may know your love as we do. You are the perfect instrument of God’s love in your world.

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Ryan McCormick is a seminarian at Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky. He lives in Bardstown, Kentucky with his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Emily.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 15: Listening to Each Other

“Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I have ever done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” - John 4:39-42

Just Listen

“Deep listening is miraculous for both listener and speaker. When someone receives us with open-hearted, non-judging, intensely interested listening, our spirits expand.” - Sue Patton Thoele

My kindergarten student, Adrienne, ran up to me and burst into tears. “Ms. Spencer, Maria is not listening to me. I listened when she was talking, but now she don’t see me trying to talk!!!” As I held her in my arms, I said gently, “Adrienne, Ms. Spencer is listening to you.” As her sobs gradually began to subside, she looked up at me with her dark brown eyes and said, “Thank you teacher, you always see me when I talk and you listen.”

As I drove home that day, I reflected on the wisdom of my four year old student. When we truly listen to each other, we see each other and it is empowering for the speaker and the listener. The Samaritan woman listened to Jesus and saw him. The community listened to her testimony and saw Christ. They listened to Christ and saw him as the Savior of the world. Listening is far beyond a simple hearing process, it calls us to be intentional, present and open. When we listen to each other, we see each other. Our world is full of those who the world ignores and marginalizes. Imagine how listening with intention gives voice and empowers the speaker. It allows us to see the beautiful gift of God that they are. Thank you, God, I know you see me when I talk because you listen. Listen …… just listen. When I listen to you, I see you.

Loving and Listening God, teach us to listen intently for words spoken and unspoken. Listening deeply can heal hearts and spirits that are broken. Amen

Listening Activities

• Talking Stick – This can be used as a tool to teach how to be a fully engaged listener. Sit together and whoever has the stick talks and everyone else listens completely. It is passed around so that everyone has the chance to share.
• Device Free – During meal time, take the time to put away phones, ipads and turn off television. Take time to engage in conversation and listen without distractions.

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Minister Sheila P Spencer is an author, poet, educator and writer. A native of Los Angeles, she was an educator, literacy coach, teacher trainer and parent educator. She currently serves as Director of Christian Education/Formation for Disciples Home Missions and resides in Indianapolis, IN.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 14: One Small Act

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make the Lord’s face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up the Lord’s countenance upon you, and give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26

There is nothing like a smile. When we are afraid or hurt, and we see someone we love and see them smile at us, it is hard not to smile back! God reminds us that God’s presence is always there, smiling at us, being kind to us. But sometimes, when we are afraid, or when we have been hurt, our first thought is to fight back, to hurt back. But God reminds us that the power of a smile, the power of kindness, and the power of love can help us not to hurt others, and remind us that God is with us. One smile, one kind word, one act of kindness can be the beginning of peace. Like ripples in the water when we throw in one small stone, your act of kindness can help bring peace can reach many other people. When we smile, when we are kind, even through our tears, through our fear, we help other people to feel God’s love and peace. And we feel better, too! It is not always easy, but God is there, shining God’s face upon us, smiling to let us know God is with us. You can start the ripples of peace in the world with just one smile, one act of kindness!

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Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens is the Senior Minister at First Christian Church of Downers Grove, IL. She is excited by the church’s heart for mission and its focus on families and children. FCCDG serves children locally through the PADS homeless ministry, and with an annual back-to-school fair, serving nearly 700 each year with backpacks, school supplies, health education and screenings, haircuts, food, games and prizes. The church also supports an orphanage and camp in Belarus with an annual giving campaign, supporting 25-30 children in camp each year. Terri is also the Dean of Students at the University of Chicago Divinity School, and is an alumna of the Divinity School, and of the Disciples Divinity House in Chicago. She serves on the boards of HELM and Christian Theological Seminary. She and her husband of 29 years, Walter, have an adult son, Mitchell.

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A Little More… One Good Deed by Terri Fields - www.amazon.com/One-Good-Deed-Terri-Fields/dp/1467734799

Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 13: Creating Space for Nonviolence

"He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more."
- Isaiah 2:4

We loved watching the Olympics games from Rio De Janeiro; we had a bad case of Olympic fever! Our kids could not get enough of the swimming and diving, the track and field, even the archery and fencing. Sports that we would not normally give a passing thought to, for those two weeks, had our attention and love. But as our family was watching the Olympics, we frequently had to change the channel during the commercials. Where we would normally speed through on our TiVo DVR, our two young children were subject to advertisements for violent movies, television shows, and innuendoes meant for adults. This led our son to cover his eyes every time the gymnastics went to a commercial break.

For many children, this type of violence isn’t just reserved for the commercial break but is apart of their every day life. At school, at home, on the bus, and on the playground, there is no TiVo remote to pass and no place to cover their eyes because the violence, yelling, and fighting is always there.

Yet, as Christians our response is to create a safe environment where our children know that they are loved. We may not have swords to beat into plowshares, but we have fists that we can turn into an open hand to hold. We may have not spears to turn into pruning hooks, but we have words that can go from being filled with hatred and prejudice to ones full of love and hope. We can create a place where eyes don’t have to be covered because our corner of God’s world is one filled with the peace of Christ.

O loving God, help us create a safe environment for our children to know that they are loved. 

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David Yonker is the Senior Pastor of the First Christian Church in Burlington, Iowa. He and his wife Liz are the parents of two young children, Sam and Emmy. 

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A Little More...The Impact of Media Violence on Children and Adolescents: Opportunities for Clinical Interventions: http://www.aacap.org/aacap/medical_students_and_residents/mentorship_matters/developmentor/the_impact_of_media_violence_on_children_and_adolescents_opportunities_for_clinical_interventions.aspx

Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 12: Listening with an Open Heart

“And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers”. -Luke 2:47

Our son, Blaine, was 4 years old when we moved from Chattanooga to Indianapolis. It is hard to leave the familiar behind and start again in a new place, especially with relationships. A few months after the move, I was with Blaine for bedtime. We read a book and he mentioned new kids he was meeting. I tucked covers around him, kissed him on the forehead, and sat on the edge of the bed a moment before leaving. He rolled over toward the wall and then turned back to me. “Dad, you know, when you don’t have friends, your heart is like this.” He held his hand out in a tight fist. “But then when you get friends your heart goes like this.” The fist slowly opened wide. Then he turned back over and went to sleep.

May we find around us the friends who help us open our hearts and may we be such open heart friends to others.

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Randy Kuss serves with Speedway Christian Church, Speedway, IN, as Minister of Christian Education & Youth Ministries and with Disciples Home Missions as Coordinator of Consulting Services in Youth & Young Ault Ministries. He is a co-founder of the Disciples Youth Ministry Network.

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A Little More… A Little Book About Friendship by Samantha Kurtzman-Counter: www.amazon.com/A-Little-Book-About-Friendship/dp/0988282704

Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org. 

September 11: Listening is Love

“In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.” - Mark 1:35

“Being listened to is so close to being loved that most people can’t tell the difference” –David Augsberger

My two younger brothers and I are all close. We chat on the phone about once a week, and it’s a minor miracle our childhood home can contain the energy we have when we all are able to get together. With that energy comes questions and check-ins, stories and memories. The volume often gets louder and louder because we each want share and we each want to be heard. Eventually there are times when we need to call each other out and bluntly (and lovingly) say, “You’re interrupting me.” It reminds the rest of the family that, despite our desire to share, we must also listen. We know our turn will come and, when that time comes, we will have everyone’s full attention and we know that we are loved.

Just like when my brothers and I get together, there are times when God might say to us, “You’re interrupting me.” At those moments we are called to be like Jesus and go out and listen, to break with our busy-ness, and to be still and in God’s presence. It’s a time for us to listen and to love.

For parents: I wonder, what are some interruptions in your life? I wonder, what would the world look like if everyone knew that they had a voice that mattered? I wonder, what might people notice when they stopped and listened? 

For kids: Do you remember a time when you wanted to share something, but no one listened? How did that make you feel? Do you remember a time when a grown up asked you a question and they told you that it was a really good answer? What did you feel then?  

Dear God, help us listen more closely, to you and to our neighbors so that we might share your love.

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Rev. Allison Ruari is the Associate Minister for Faith Formation at First Christian Church in Mansfield, Ohio. She resides there with her husband, Jared, and their three cats.
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Our 2016 prayer vigil theme is Helping Our Children Heal from Violence. For more resources visit  disciplesjustice4children.org and docfamiliesandchildren.org.