Spiritual Practices: Family, Small Group & Congregation

The 21 sessions in the Unearthing Us Facilitator Guide correspond to the 21 poems in Unearthing Us: Poems and Practices for Discovering Our Fullest Selves by Joe Davis. 

•  Sessions move through stages of planting, growing, and flourishing that connect to the thematic progression of poems in Unearthing Us.
• Leaders are invited into pre-work activities to prepare their hearts and minds for facilitating each session. 
• Sessions include creative responses to each poem along with biblical exploration, community connections, and journaling prompts. 
• Many groups can use these sessions: senior high youth, intergenerational events, Bible study groups, retreat participants, and other gatherings of people who want to explore poetry and faith together. 

 All sessions are written by Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown, an educator, activist, and curriculum designer who provides access to education, tools, and community that we all need to live whole and liberated lives.

This edition of Oneing brings together for the first time the faculty of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC): Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault, James Finley, Barbara Holmes, and Brian McLaren - teaching the rich concepts of “Order, Disorder, Reorder".

Path to Peace with Creation: "Follow the Peace Path" Cards

Churches can extend learning with this deck of 52 Peace with Creation Cards, packed with ideas for families to do at home together. Whether a church has summer Sunday school or not, these cards are a great way to stay connected with families and provide parents and caregivers an easy and fun faith formation resource. Purchase one deck of cards for each family.

An Illustrated Invitation for Families draws all ages into conversation with biblical stories that show us what God is doing in the world and invite us to consider how to join in that work. It can be used as a companion to other Illustrated Invitation products or as a stand-alone resource for families.

Includes Family Activities, Illustrated Story Cards, and Coloring Pages

Traci Smith, author of Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home (Chalice) offers two free downloadable practices to share with children and families: Snuggles under God's Wings and After a Natural Disaster.

Accompanied by this downloadable activity kit for families.

Print these Mealtime Prayer Cards on paper or cardstock, then cut them out and place them in a bowl or basket on your table. These cards are designed to print neatly on Avery postcards as well (Avery #8387). If you have special family prayers, write them on the blank cards. At the beginning of your meal, take one out and use it to guide your mealtime prayer. Then, place it back in the basket for the next day! Take turns choosing a prayer each day. You can start by saying "Let us pray." 

Traci Smith's Prayer and Conversation Cubes are easy to download, simple to assemble, and create prayer and story-sharing opportunities in classes, small groups, and family settings.

Help families in your congregation make prayer and conversation at the dinner table fun and easy! You may send out the file as a digital copy or printed file. Cube assembly is simple (requires a scissors and glue); instructions are provided. The prayer cube contains five simple family prayer ideas and one "choose your own or roll again." The conversation starters provide six easy ways to get your children talking! Blank cubes and a tip sheet are also included.

The 21 sessions in the Unearthing Us Facilitator Guide correspond to the 21 poems in Unearthing Us: Poems and Practices for Discovering Our Fullest Selves by Joe Davis. 

•  Sessions move through stages of planting, growing, and flourishing that connect to the thematic progression of poems in Unearthing Us.
• Leaders are invited into pre-work activities to prepare their hearts and minds for facilitating each session. 
• Sessions include creative responses to each poem along with biblical exploration, community connections, and journaling prompts. 
• Many groups can use these sessions: senior high youth, intergenerational events, Bible study groups, retreat participants, and other gatherings of people who want to explore poetry and faith together. 

 All sessions are written by Rev. Dr. Jia Starr Brown, an educator, activist, and curriculum designer who provides access to education, tools, and community that we all need to live whole and liberated lives.

  Dive deeper with the free The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism study guide—perfect for church groups, book clubs, or individual reflection.

BIRTHING THE HOLY PRAYER CYCLE

Christine Valters Paintner created a prayer cycle to accompany her book Birthing the Holy: Wisdom from Mary to Nurture Creativity and Renewal (Ave Maria Press). The prayer cycle includes video, audio, and written guides  for Morning and Evening Prayer. It is a seven-week cycle. The full text and audio for the prayer cycle are available here.

It is available for a free will donation/offering.

Learn more and register/begin to download here.

We are humbled to be featured in Living Lutheran's January, 2022 article and study guide, Contemplating the New Year; Lutherans Explore Meditation, Mindfulness, and Contemplative Practices; article by Meghan Johnston Aelabouni; study guide by Robert C. Blezard.

Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living is a whole-congregation curriculum that studies the Bible through the lens of biblical practices.

Watch the Follow Me Overview video, visit the website, and/or download the sampler to learn more. Or, read more about each component:

• Congregational Guide
• Young Children Leader's Guide
• Multiage Children Leader's Guide
• Youth Leader's Guide
• Adult Leader's Guide
• Adult Reflection Guide
• Infographic Posters