by Donald Hanna I remember years ago, I was teaching a confirmation class at a church where I worked. Some of the kids in the class began talking about “the church.” They went on and on about how the church was close-minded, how it was judgmental, how it was hypocritical, and how it was homophobic. … Continue reading
by Cheri Tabel “Why is it called ‘Good Friday’?” my son asked on our walk the other night. My mouth opened, pausing, as I heard something in my head that was going to sound like a Christian commercial. My mind raced for the factual, Encylopedia-type answer. Finally, I landed on: “I don’t know.” It was … Continue reading
by Jennifer DiFrancesco Lent. It stresses me out every year. Like everything else, I know it shouldn’t but it does. It isn’t like we will be graded on it or will be asked to do a public presentation about it. Just when I have a good idea, I overthink it, rethink it, and ask others … Continue reading
by David J. Grummon I knew the day would come when we would have to have this painful, awkward conversation, but I suppose I had been just avoiding it. I know we’ve been lucky not to have to talk about it until now, but I knew eventually one of my kids would start asking questions … Continue reading
by Dena Douglas Hobbs It has been a hard year for my thirteen-year-old daughter. She changed middle schools in the 8th grade. She went from a school that was incredibly diverse and accepting to a school that is, in her words, “full of rich, racist, white people.” Ouch. And we didn’t even see it coming. … Continue reading
by Lynace Pabst Veit For almost ten years now I have been active in Children’s Ministry. Either leading children’s choirs or as a Director of Children’s Ministry or sometimes BOTH! And over the years one of my favorite songs to sing with my children has become Be Still and Know, based on Psalm 46. Be … Continue reading
By Bromleigh McCleneghan Many children attending public schools have the day off in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. on January 20th, and the occasion can provide an important time to share our commitments around race, justice, peace, courage, hope and love with our children. I struggle with how to talk about the ongoing struggle … Continue reading
~by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I love to walk. I love to put one foot in front of the other. I love to get outside and move. My daughter, too, loves to walk. The simple joy of seeing her stroller brings cheers. She waves to anyone who passes … Continue reading
–By Keeva Kase Faith and gratitude are maidservants of each other. Without one you lose the other. For many parents however, the moments of glory do not balance out the fuzziness of parenting, and sometimes the fuzz becomes overwhelming. Fuzzy turns to foggy, foggy turns to fear, and fear to failure. With two kids, two working parents, and little sleep, … Continue reading
by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller Scripture: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not … Continue reading
Practicing Families 