St. Marys,
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, here is a Godly Play story from the Godly Play Foundation telling the story of Dr. King. This is from a newer Godly Play series called, “People of Color who Inspire.”
Peace,
Flo
Christmas - Playlists, Activities, and the Godly Play Christmas Story
Dear St. Mary's,
Merry Christmas (eve)!
Below are ideas and prompts and a whole lot of ridiculous music for celebrating Christmas.
I sent these same ideas out last year, when things felt discouraging and we were all trying to celebrate despite the pandemic and weariness of the previous year. Honestly, I did not expect to be in that same place again this year.
My phone has been blowing up with friends and family who are sick, desperately looking for Covid tests, and canceling ALL the plans, and it feels a little bit like unraveling. Like things are falling apart just when we hoped they would get better.
Last night I was wrapping presents when I received some difficult news and it felt so silly to keep wrapping those presents through the tears and the heavy heartedness, and I know I’m not the only one feeling that way right now. It can seem like every bit of light is being snuffed out while we hold on to our tiny little match. But this week I read this from our friend, Helena Aman, and it was so helpful to me, so I am passing it along and hoping it helps you all, too:
“It is an act of faith to say that light will overcome darkness. We don’t have any proof of that. We have hope. It is perhaps more powerful to say that the darkness has not overcome the light. Not yet.
Through all the long ages of creation’s groaning, through all the agonies of mankind, love and hope and goodness endure.
Divisive hatred, greed, fear, indifference: none of these has managed to snuff out the light entirely. Not yet.
Not yet. My friends, that’s saying something.”
So, below is my meager offering of not yet: a cheesy pop playlist for a family dance party, some ideas for celebrating the 12 days of Christmas, and birthday cake and candles and songs reminding us that "love and hope and goodness endure," even in small ways.
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Here is the Godly Play Lesson for Christmas.
On Christmas Day, we celebrate the birth of our savior--the baby King, Jesus!
Here are a few prompts/activities to go with the story this week:
Light the Christ candle--when change the light (blow it out); remember that the light isn't gone, it has just changed. Christ is with us wherever we go!
Bake a cake or cupcakes or other treats to celebrate Jesus's birthday.
In our tradition, Christmas Day marks the first of twelve days of Christmas. There are SO many ideas online for how to celebrate these days, but I would suggest just doing simple and small daily celebrations or acts of service. Here are twelve ideas to get started. One idea is to have a family dance party--I made this incredibly cheesy Christmas Family Dance Party playlist on Spotify full of pop songs if anyone needs inspiration!
It's Christmas! Time to break out all of the Christmas carols and songs we had been saving throughout Advent. I had a hard time narrowing song choices, so here are a bunch to go with this lesson and the beginning of Christmastide:
Little Road to Bethlehem by Shawn Colvin
Gather 'Round, Ye Children, Come by Andrew Peterson
Happy Birthday Jesus by Slugs and Bugs
Joy to the World by Slugs and Bugs
Unto Us a Child is Born by Slugs and Bugs
Silent Night by Sara Groves
Go Tell It On The Mountain by Sandra McCracken
Baby Jesus is Born by Rain for Roots
I put these and a few more in a Spotify playlist called: "Christmas Songs for St. Mary's Kids."
May you find light this Christmas!
Advent and Holy Family Art
Hi, St. Mary's,
Earlier today, I read a great article by Dr. Henry Zonio about the lack of representation in popular depictions of the Holy Family (especially in children's materials) and how including non-white representations of Jesus' family is an important way of welcoming everyone into Advent. I remembered some art I had shared last year and thought I would pass it along to you again.
Madonna and Child by Saincilus Ismael
Black Madonna by Katherine Skaggs
Cheyenne Virgin and Child and The Holy Family by Fr. John Giuliani
José y Maria by Everett Patterson
Holy Family for Elijah by Laura Balmaceda
Sunshine Mother and Child by Shijun Munns
Refugees the Holy Family, The Holy Family of the Streets, and Refugees: La Sagrada Familia by Kelly Latimore
Peace,
Flo
Resources for Anxious Times
Hello friends,
This week has been shocking. I always wonder what kids are thinking and how they are processing the things they may be hearing about or seeing on the news.
Recently on Twitter, someone I follow asked, "What is the first news story you remember from childhood?" My first big "news memory" was the Challenger explosion--I was six years old and I still remember the feeling of the world suddenly feeling darker and less safe. I also felt the weight of the world's collective sorrow. So I know many of our littles are having big feelings this week, even if they don’t understand details.
I am praying for you as you may be having difficult conversations with your children. Here are just a couple of things I hope can help.
Here is a "Story Time with Miss Flo" video about worry and prayer (I do not address the specific events of the week) featuring The Lord's Prayer illustrated by Tim Ladwig. Whenever I don't know what to pray, the Lord's Prayer feels like enough.
This is a video by spiritual director Lacy Finn Borgo for when you are having big feelings. This is from May, but it definitely still applies.
May the perfect peace of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit settle deep down in your hearts tonight,
Flo
Prayer Labyrinth
Erin Martin created a stunning piece of art for our St. Mary’s community that features a labyrinth (see the art and read her letter here) and a PDF version of the labyrinth that you can print at home. I have wanted to provide small finger labyrinths for the kids for SO long, and it was already something I was hoping to do for the fall before I even knew what Erin was making--amazing!
Here is a link to the PDF. You can glue yarn along the labyrinth like the photo shows or you can color or paint it. There are many ways to use a labyrinth like this. You can just trace it with your finger and enjoy the experience or you can practice listening for God as you trace inward and praying to God as you trace your way back out (or vice versa). You can also try praying for others as you trace towards the center, spending time with God as you wait in the center, and praying for your own needs as you trace your way back out. There is no wrong way to enjoy this gift! Thank you so much, Erin!
Peace,
Flo