Are there aspects of the entire life of Jesus and the story imparted by the Gospels that might intimidate us, frighten us, or cause us some hesitation or consternation?
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Archive for January, 2012
Fear and Faith Development
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 31st, 2012
Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, faith development, fear, God, Magi 
Comments OffThe 10K and Spiritual Practices
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 30th, 2012
But can I maintain this to make it consistent and build some exercise habits into my life? Or will it be like so many New Year’s resolutions – gone by the end of January. Or like so many Lenten resolutions – good riddance on Easter morning.
| Posted in Featured, Ministry, Spirituality |
Tags: adults, Christian formation, exercise, Lent, New Year's, spirituality Comments OffEulogies and Jesus
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 29th, 2012
Eulogies are also informative, relational, and emotionally affecting, so they often bring laughter, tears, tranquility and some catharsis to people in mourning.
| Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: adults, Bible, eulogy, meditation, spirituality Comments OffLent Madness
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 28th, 2012
What could be better than learning about the saints during Lent? And you can do this all the while March Madness occurs with the basketball playoffs, which in my opinion seem to go on forever. Join the “Lent Madness” fever and root for your favorite saint to take the big prize.
|Souper Bowl Sunday
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 27th, 2012
On Sunday February 5th, 140 million Americans will tune in to the Super Bowl football game. There will be parties with abundant food, friendship and fellowship. At the same time, there will be people worrying about staying warm, finding shelter and a warm meal.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Service |
Tags: Service, Souper Bowl Sunday, Super Bowl, youth ministry Comments OffFormational Opps for Nature Throughout the Year
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 26th, 2012
This is the perfect time of year to include nature in your formation activity plans. Both church and secular occasions already in place in the calendar offer an easy entry point.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry, Service, Spirituality |
Tags: adults, children's ministry, Christian formation, curriculum, environment, family ministry, God, intergenerational, resources, social justice, spirituality, stewardship, summer, VBS, young adults, youth ministry Comments OffTransparent Evangelism
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 25th, 2012
Enter Ryan. Dark, bearded, wide brown eyes, relaxed. He was wearing an aqua-colored T-shirt printed with these words that spanned the width of his chest. “I could talk about this stuff for hours.” Perfect, I thought. It might take hours.
|9 Ways to Create Worship Services
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 24th, 2012
Start by being clear about your purpose: the formation of hearts and minds and souls in community. From this will follow intentionality about the content of the service. For me, the “stuff” of Christian family liturgy is hospitality, compassionate loving, mystery, inclusivity, social justice and servant leadership.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: adults, children's ministry, Christian formation, family ministry, hospitality, intergenerational, parents, prayer, worship, youth ministry 1 Comment »A Creative Mindfulness Retreat (part 2)
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 23rd, 2012
Think and pray on what you hope for your retreat. Find a short song, hymn refrain or verse that people will be able to learn by heart. Find a piece of artwork for reflection. Tap into those creative resources that surround us.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry, Spirituality |
Tags: adults, art, intergenerational, music, prayer, resources, retreats, spirituality 1 Comment »The Year of the Dragon
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 22nd, 2012
Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time to honor one’s elders and families visit the oldest and most senior members of their extended families, usually their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
|Prepare for Lent: Seeing the Holy
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 21st, 2012
As we prepare for the season of Lent and the journey into Easter, you have a rich opportunity to provide and experience an encounter with Christ as he faces the most trying leg of his journey as God’s Son.
|With You I Am Well Pleased
Posted by Sharon Pearson on January 20th, 2012
It is through the waters of baptism in this sacred and holy rite that our tarnished image is made clean and we reclaim the fresh, pure image that is our birthright. We find that it can be good because it belongs to God.
| Posted in Featured, Ministry, Spirituality |
Tags: Baptism, children's ministry, discernment, Epiphany, God, spirituality Comments Off
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