Posts Categorized: Children

Building the Liturgy of Life

“First Breakfast, then School, then Scooby Doo.” I tick off each item on my finger as I name them to my son, Westley. It had taken me a minute to shrink the schedule into just three items and to end them with the desired one, but after what seemed like an eternity—and was really about… Read more »

Meet Them In Our Hearts

Talking with Children About Death My phone dinged. A note from my daughter’s kindergartner teacher waited in the class app. The note began friendly enough: “She’s doing well today … but…” And you know there’s always a but … “A few times this afternoon, she said she was sad because her aunt died when she… Read more »

Restraint Collapse: A Prayer

Here’s a Prayer for all those who collapse at the end Who are just holding it together Somehow Til the end of the Day And then lose it When they get in the door Or are asked to do a thing Or have to leave their comfort zone/thing/activity Here are for those for whom the… Read more »

Today’s Worship Experience

Church is where God’s family gathers ‘Prairie lessons’ help mom provide worship experience for family By Karen Milholland Alley While the apocalyptic genre might seem relatable in some ways during these times we’re living in, the characters I have found myself relating to most during the pandemic are those found in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s account… Read more »

The Neighborhood

Back-to-school jitters never go away by Sue Washburn My Facebook feed has been full of first-day-of-school photos, bringing back memories of the excitement and trepidation about what the school year would bring. The week before the big first day would be full of questions: Who will be in my class?  Who will I hang out with?… Read more »

Barn Boots and Blessings

Lenten ‘one mores’ Hope and love in the dark valley   by Donna Frischknecht Jackson   Even though I walk through the darkest valley … you are with me.  — Psalm 23 It is Lent and I have found myself walking in one of the darkest valleys one can walk — the valley of death…. Read more »

Sightings

Walking the pictures A home gallery tour by Ken Rummer “Sweet Georgia Brown.” That was the tune I hummed as I carried my crib-aged children around the house in the middle of the night.   It would be a night when we had tried diaper and milk and pacifier and rocking chair, and still there… Read more »

Sightings

Presented To A girl and a Bible   By Ken Rummer “Did you write this?” I glanced at the page. Squarish letters in black ink with variable width strokes. Just the kind I used to make with a chisel-end pen. Just the kind I inscribed on numerous baptismal certificates and wedding records over the years…. Read more »

Barn Boots and Blessings

Ashes and violence and teen’s question: Why?   by Donna Frischknecht Jackson   The sanctuary was mostly quiet. Every now and then a hum, rattle and swoosh from the ancient heating system would interrupt the stillness. It was a welcomed noise as I was trying hard to keep the cavernous room at a toasty 60… Read more »

Barn Boots and Blessings

Finding God in the Junk Drawer A much-needed reminder to ‘watch for God’ by Donna Frischknecht Jackson    God spoke to me the other day. I wasn’t standing on some mountaintop. Nor was I lying prostrate on the floor. I wasn’t even kneeling in the quiet of the old sanctuary of the little rural church… Read more »