Tag Archives: parenting

A Child’s “Worship Bag”

April 7, 2016Children's Ministries, Parenting, WorshipAnne Kitch, Children's Ministry, Eucharist, faith at home, grandparenting, parenting, worship, worship bagsSharon Ely Pearson

This past Saturday I gave a workshop at the annual Spring Training event for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. My presentation involved sharing ideas of how we can make worship more formational for children as well as how we can help parents make faith conversations and practices part of every day life at home. It occurred to me as I was putting some materials together for a “show & tell” that my process (and examples) make a great example of how to do both.

Basically, I gathered up all the supplies that I would put together in a “quiet bag” that I might bring to church with me if I had a preschooler or 8-year-old sitting alongside me in the pew for an entire worship service. What if we made such bags available to children to pick up before they entered our worship spaces? What if some of these objects were put into a “home box” and given to families for their use in at home or in the car? Continue reading A Child’s “Worship Bag” →

These Are Our Bodies: Talking Faith & Sexuality

March 30, 2016Adult Formation, Books Worth Reading, Curriculum, Faith & Culture, Parenting, Resources, Youth MinistryBaptismal Covenant, Curriculum, God, human sexuality, Imago Dei, parenting, youth ministrySharon Ely Pearson

For many years I have conducted surveys to discover what curricula were being used in churches with children, youth, and adults. Part of the survey always asked for each age level, “What types of resources or curricula would you like to see developed?” One of the major responses (especially for youth) has been in the area of human sexuality; ways to engage with all ages about the connection between one’s faith and one’s responsibility as a sexual being.

Finally, I am excited to share a new program that has been specifically designed and written for Episcopalians by Episcopalians. These Are Our Bodies: Talking Faith & Sexuality at Church & Home (by Leslie Choplin and Jenny Beaumont) will be available in August 2016, beginning with a foundation book and a program module for Middle School students (which includes a Leader Guide, Parent Book, and Participant Book). A High School program module will be available in Spring 2017. In an upcoming post I will share what the program materials for the Middle School module involve. For now, here is a taste of the foundation book for the program, which I believe will be a helpful resource for all adults in our churches – parents, clergy, youth leaders, Christian educators, and all who seek to connect our faith with our whole being, including our sexuality as children of God.

From the Introduction of the foundation book: Continue reading These Are Our Bodies: Talking Faith & Sexuality →

Will Your Kids Stay Religious?

June 20, 2013Parenting, The Churchchildren, faith, parenting, Spiritual but not religiousSharon Ely Pearson

If a child is securely attached to non-religious parents there is a greater likelihood that child will not be religious as an adult. If a child is insecurely attached to religious parents there is a greater likelihood that child will not be religious as an adult there is also a fair number in this group who fall into the “spiritual but not religious category. Mostly because their attachment issues make them suspicious of what researchers call, “social religion” [i.e., organized religion].

BUT…If child is insecurely attached to non-religious parents there is a greater likelihood that child will grow up to be “spiritual but not religious.” for the same reasons as above.Finally, children who are securely attached to highly religious parents are the most religiously attached of all groups as adults.

Dear Parents with Young Children in Church

May 25, 2013Children's Ministries, Parentingchildren's ministries, Christian education, Christian formation, parentingSharon Ely Pearson

Many of my posts here discuss and reflect upon the importance of having children present in the worshipping community. And how it’s important to welcome them as any other member of the Body of Christ. And how parents are the primary “passers on of faith.” And how parents NEED to attend worship with them in order to model what it means to be a participating member of a congregation.

So “I am totally that mom” tells it like it is: Read her post: I am totally that mom.: Dear Parents with Young Children in Church.

Baptismal Parties Behaving Badly

May 20, 2013Parenting, Spirituality, The ChurchBaptism, Jesus, liturgy, parenting, worshipSharon Ely Pearson

Tim Schenk (Clergy Family Confidential) has hit the nail on the head – or should I say “water in the font”! How many baptisms (or weddings, confirmations, etc.), have you attended in which the “parties” making a commitment are really just waiting for what they think is the real party yet to come (after the liturgy)?