by Tripp Hudgins On Sunday, our congregation celebrated the life of St. Francis of Assisi with a blessing of the animals. Due to logistical constraints, people are encouraged to bring their pets at either the first or third service of the day and not the second. For the second service, small children are invited to … Continue reading
–By Joanna Harader As a parent, I failed Lent this year. Or I suppose a gracious professor might give me the “at least she tried ” D. I did order and even print “An Illustrated Lent” family devotional. It looks very nice and impressive in my three-ring binder. We actually did the devotions on two, … Continue reading
—Corey Fields It’s Ash Wednesday again. Ash Wednesday is among the worship services of the church year that I find the most powerful. The service is designed around an acknowledgement of human brokenness and mortality. Ash Wednesday embraces the idea that, although words of hope have their place during much of the rest of the … Continue reading
–by Joanna Harader For me, Advent has always been the family-oriented liturgical season. I lead my children in lighting the candles, reading the scriptures, placing the daily nativity scene pieces. (Not that we get around to putting out a piece every day, but we have a piece for every day . . . ) Lent … Continue reading
by Jennifer DiFrancesco Prayer Almighty eternal God, source of all compassion, the promise of your mercy and saving help fills our hearts with hope. Hear the cries of the people of Syria; bring healing to those suffering from the violence, and comfort to those mourning the dead. Empower and encourage Syria’s neighbors in their care … Continue reading
True, we’re already a little ways into Lent. Maybe you’re feeling it deeply already; maybe not. In place of our usual Family Liturgy today, here are a couple of links to ideas that can involve the whole family in a meaningful – but totally do-able – observance of this season. Traci Smith has created this … Continue reading
—Tara Wiley Scripture: Continue to remember…those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. – Hebrews 13:3 Reflection: A letter from your sponsored child… The kids huddled around the counter as I tugged the trifold paper from its cream envelope. We always looked forward to hearing from Joseph, a twelve year old boy in … Continue reading
–by Amy Peden Haynie As my children turn into young adults, it becomes harder to remember what liturgical resources were most meaningful to us at different stages. My youngest one can now drive himself to church and attend whichever service fits his schedule best on a given weekend when I am serving and my spouse … Continue reading
~ by Corey Fields photo by Matt Clingan I recently got to try my hand at single parenting…for 10 days, anyway. My wife just returned from Nicaragua. Before she left, she helped me get a lot of things prepared, and at one point she asked me, “What else can I do to help you?” I … Continue reading
By Elizabeth Dilley Among the parents I most admire are some atheist couples. In them, I’ve observed a sustained and intentional engagement with cultivating a worldview for their children that reflects their family’s core values. Some of these values include curiosity, a rigorous search for truth, quality education for all, care and justice for the … Continue reading
Practicing Families 