Join Pastor Emily on the 1^st and 3rd Tuesday of the month for a candle ritual, Bible story, activity, song, and prayer.

OPENING CANDLE RITUAL:

God’s holy light surrounds us. Only good can come in. Only good can go out. Amen.

THIS WEEK’S STORY:

“God’s Dream for his Children: Jesus Teaches the Secret of Happiness” (Luke 6) retold by Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the “Children of God Storybook Bible.”

THIS WEEK’S SONG:

“This Little Light of Mine”

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITIES:

1. In Luke 6, we hear the Beatitudes, or the “blessings.” Look up what the words ‘blessing’ and ‘blessed’ mean together.  Why do you think Jesus shared with his followers a bunch of blessings?
2. In his list of blessings, Jesus shares his dream for the world. Read together Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s retelling of the Beatitudes Luke 6 in the “Children of God Storybook Bible”:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for all God’s world is yours.

Blessed are you who are hungry, for God will feed you.

Blessed are you who are sad, for God will comfort you and you will laugh again.

Blessed are you who feed the poor, for you are the hands of God.

Blessed are you who comfort the sad, for you are the arms of God.

Blessed are you who work for peace, for you are the voice of God.

Blessed are you who are loving and kind, for you are the heart of God.”

Discuss the following after each line:

• What sticks out to you in this blessing?
• Who do you know or know of (in your family, community, country, or world) that is being spoken of here?
• How do you fit into this blessing (or God’s hope for the world)? What does this mean for you?

3. In his beatitudes (or blessings), Jesus shares God’s hope for the world: that all children of God (all humans) would be loved, cared for, and treated equitably, fairly, and that nobody would be left out. He also explains that since this isn’t what happens in this world, we – as Jesus’ followers – are called by God to care for, welcome, and love those who are hurting and being harmed, and to work toward liberation of those who are oppressed and not treated equitably or right.

4. Talk about some of the things that are happening in our country right now where people are not being treated right or equitably. How is God calling you right now to help your loved ones and neighbors who are hurting or not being treated right? Come up with one thing you can do as a household this week to offer God’s love to your neighbor who is hurting and/or to work toward ending the mistreatment of people.  (You might learn about some justice issues and policies and then find a way to take action: Write a letter, call, or email your representatives asking them to support policies that are just and call for equity.  Join a call or text canvasing group where you call or text people encouraging them to register to vote and/or to vote for just and equitable policies. You might donate money to a campaign or organization that is working for just and equitable policies.  You might show up for a car-caravan, in-person, or virtual justice action).  You can find some anti-racism resources that can assist you with these conversations below:

PBS Kids talk about Race and Racism:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fbQBKwdWPg

Talking to Young Kids about Race and Racism – PBS:

https://www.pbs.org/parents/talking-about-racism

How to Talk to Kids about Race – Jemar Tisby:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNEKbVq_ou4&list=PLbpi6ZahtOH6NMC8h_-apbfQlbb699g6X

White privilege, systemic racism explained | CBC Kids News

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZkGWmrIRFU

Metro Parent: Talking About Race:

https://www.metroparent.com/topic/daily/parenting/parenting-issues-tips/talking-about-race/

Anti-Racism For Kids 101: Starting To Talk About Race (Part 1):

http://booksforlittles.com/racial-diversity/

Anti-Racism For Kids (Part 2)– Children’s Books That Teach Kids About Social Power & Paternalism

Anti-Racist Resources for Parents

https://www.peps.org/ParentResources/by-topic/anti-racist-resources-parents

Click here for this week’s Tuesday Time video.  The devotion and activities for this week can be found in the description section under the video.