Approaching Advent

In slightly more than two weeks, the season of Advent begins.  As we wait for the gift of God’s love entering the world, we want to use the next several weeks to share reviews, educational events and some favorite Christmas books by some of our readers and regular writers.

Our first gift to you is an intergenerational educational and worship event prepared by students Cyndi Beerbower and Robin Crawford.  It is based on Maya Angelou’s beautiful book Amazing Peace.  Click HERE to open the pdf file that contains the plans for the session.

Hush Harbor

Title:  Hush Harbor:  Praying in Secret

Author: Freddi Williams Evans

Illustrator: Erin Bennett Banks

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

ISBN: 9780822579056

Audience: Grades 2-4 (grades 4-5 in my opinion)

Summary: Before the war between the states slaves were generally forbidden to gather because owners feared that they might plot rebellion.  At work in the cotton fields the message would be whispered, “Meetin’ tonight” and passed along the rows of slaves who would then gather for prayer and worship that night in secret.  Hush Harbor is the account of such a meeting when slaves meet to pray for Mama Aku who is sick.  Simmy, a boy assigned the job of look-out, narrates the event.  Slaves at work in the field anticipate the secret meeting and begin to hum and sing, “Steal Away, Steal Away to Jesus.” Hush Harbor is a place deep in the woods where the slaves pray and worship in the way they want to, not as their white owners want them to.  Simmy, perched in a tree while the people sing and pray, hears hounds baying and knows trouble is near.  The paterollers and their dogs are out seeking a runaway slave but they are very near the meeting.  The slaves encounter the runaway and guide him to a safe hiding place, then return quietly and quickly to their cabins..

Literary elements at work in the story: This isn’t quite a story; it’s more of a slice of life told by a boy of perhaps eight or nine. And it’s not quite told in dialect but consonants are dropped and words are omitted.  The event is fully supported by strong, rather primitive art work that brings the night, the forest, the secret place and the worshipers to life. The author gives a brief history of religion among African-Americans in antebellum days at the conclusion of the book. The subject, the illustrations, and the text make this book appropriate for older children.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story?  Race dominates the story. The cultural differences in white and African-American worship are significant.

Theological Conversation Partners: Two facts stand out in this narrative: slavery was a cruel and oppressive evil and faith in Jesus, once adopted and adapted by slaves, was a source of joy and comfort to them. Jesus’ statement about worship (John 4:23-4) will inform any discussion of worship, in this case the Pentecostal aspects of the slave’s worship compared with the more liturgical worship of the white churches. The courage it took to worship God as they chose is a reminder of the courage it still takes today around the world to worship.  And scripture abounds with the promises of comfort and strength for those who follow Jesus: John 14:27, 16:23; Philippians 4:13; Psalm 23, 145:18,19.  Jesus’ admonition to “pray in secret” (Math. 6:5) doesn’t fit this situation but a profitable discussion of his meaning and the slave practice could arise. African slaves first heard the gospel through white people and slave owners, yet the truth of the gospel transcended this beginning.  What part did black churches and the gospel play in emancipation and in the Civil Rights movement?

Faith Talk Questions:

1. How did the slaves feel about going to a secret meeting? Do you or most of the people you know feel that way about going to worship?
2. What part did music play in the lives of the slaves?  Did you recognize any of the songs?
3. What facts tell you how hard the life of a slave was?
4. Why did the slaves have to meet in secret? What was the penalty if they were caught?
5. How was the worship of the slaves different from the worship in the white churches?  Is there one right way to worship God?  What did Jesus say about true worship?
6. African-American’s first heard the gospel through white people and slave owners. Why did they accept it?  How did it affect their lives?
7. What part did black churches play in the Civil Rights movement?

This review was written by regular contributor and Union Presbyterian Seminary graduate Virginia Thomas.

Sunday is for God

Title: Sunday Is For God

Author: Michael McGowan

Illustrator: Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher

Publisher: Schwartz Wade Books

ISBN: 9780375984188`

Audience: Ages 4-8

Summary: “Weekdays are for school. Saturday’s for having fun. But Sunday is the Lord’s day. Sunday is for God. That’s what Momma says.” So begins a young African-American boy’s account of the day in his family – parents, three siblings, and, Papaw, the grandfather. The age and name of the narrator are unknown; the time and place, perhaps a rural community, are not certain. Still there is a timeless, real, and honest quality in this young boy’s account of home, church, and community. Art and words together depict a church at worship-the special church smell, the heat, the music, the movement, the preaching. “Brother Cartwright is a little like the star of the show,” says the boy, whose mind and imagination are at work during the service while he struggles to sit still. Then the service is over and it’s home to a bountiful lunch and an afternoon of play. Johnson and Fancher have painted realistic acrylic pictures over a collage of scripture, hymns and pictures. Their work underscores the quiet depth of the subject and can be explored for hours.

Literary elements at work in the story: The first person narrative gives immediacy to a subject that may be foreign to many children. It’s an insightful picture of how a boy, perhaps eight or nine, experiences worship. The boy draws the reader into the day with details of his surroundings and the questions that fill his mind. Unspoken, but evident, is the security and identity that come with this foundation of worship and community.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economics/ability make a difference to the story? The book is about an African American family, church, and community. There may be one or two caucasians in the congregation but this is a black church at worship and it may seem foreign to some children. Even stranger may be the importance of Sunday, a day for God. The family is strict and loving, and evidently economically comfortable. Good manners for both adults and children are a part of the home. Minister and church leaders are all male; however, it is “Momma” who enforces the family practice.  Shopping, soccer practice, and meetings do not intrude on the day.

Theological Conversation Partners: The call to worship fills the Bible. Psalm 121; Psalm 100; Exodus 20:8–11, a day set apart is one of the ten commandments; the practice of gathering with a community is evident in the life of Jesus (Luke 4:16) and the New Testament Church (Hebrews 10:25). In our desire to make all days sacred we lose sight of the call to make one day sacred. If we fail in this, we are not likely to make all days sacred. This book is an excellent stimulus to examining our Sunday practices and for talking about worship.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What made Sunday a special day for the boy and his family?
2. What keeps the narrator from laughing at Joey’s funny face?
3. Why is it important in the narrator’s family to dress nicely for church?
4. Why did the Bible words that God knows our thoughts seem slightly scary to the narrator?
5. Do you think that the children in the narrator’s family liked Sunday?
6. Why is Sunday a special day for Christians?
7. How do you and your family make it special?
8. In what ways was this church service like yours? In what ways was it different?

Review prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary alumna Virginia Thomas

Connecting Children’s Books and the Lectionary

More than ten years ago, Janet Lloyd was at an event on campus and showed me  some books that she had written.  Joy and Wonder in all God’s Works, a three volume set linking a children’s book to all of the lectionary passages each year, was amazing to me.  As my own job in the library involved purchasing books for our small children’s collection, and I frequently used children’s books in teaching church school, I found Lloyd’s book intriguing.    I also felt the volumes could be useful to preachers as well as teachers.

Although I toyed with the idea of how to update this material, publishing an updated print version was never financially feasible.  When this blog began, it appeared that we might finally have a way to share these connecting points between children’s books and the Biblical story.

I am delighted to announce that beginning Monday, August 30, the post each Monday will be about books that might help illustrate themes in the lectionary passages for the upcoming Sunday.  So, for instance, on August 30, the books will relate to the lectionary passages that will be read on September 5.  The post will include a short summary of the book and a brief paragraph about some connections that can be made between that book and the lectionary passage.  We will not include a book for the Psalms, but we will be offering a bibliography of books related to the Psalms and prayer in a future post.

Most of these books are available at a public library, even if they aren’t in print.  Alibris and Abebooks are two good sources of out of print material if you want any of these books for your own collections.

The writer for the lectionary connections is  Union Presbyterian Seminary alumna Noell Rathbun.  Noell loves children, loves children’s books and was awarded the E. T. George Award for Excellence in Homiletics, Worship and Public Speaking at the 2010 graduation exercise.  We are so fortunate to have someone of Noell’s gifts and interests serve as the writer for this portion of the blog.  Students in classes at Union Presbyterian Seminary and other graduates  may also contribute here in the future.

We hope you’ll help make this a conversation.  We’d love to hear about children and youth books you’ve used in preaching and teaching and we’d also love to know if you use any of Noell’s connections.

Ann Knox, Director of the Instructional Resource Center, William Smith Morton Library, Richmond, VA

Photograph by Brant Copeland, First Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee, FL

Faith

Name of Book: Faith

Author: Maya Ajmera, Magda Nakassis, Cynthia Pon

Illustrator: Various photographers

Publisher: Charlesbridge; Global Fund for Children

Audience: Ages 8 -12

Summary: A book of photographs of children from across the world, of various faiths, participating in elements of their particular faiths. The elements of faith included are: prayer, chanting and singing, reading holy books, listening and learning, cleansing, holy places, holidays and festivals, marking important life events, dress, food and drink, and caring for and helping others. There is also a glossary of terms at the end of the book.

Literary elements at work in the story: This is an informational, book of photographs that include images from settings and locations all over the world. The information about the photographs and events is told from the perspective of an omniscient narrator. All of the pictures include children engaging in the faith elements and events.

How does the perspective on gender/race/culture/economic/ability make a difference to the story? The book shows children of varied races, cultures and economic statuses and is very good to show both boys and girls involved in the activities. There are no photographs of physical abilities, but strong mental abilities are assumed based on some activities the children are engaging in.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Theology: As loved children of God, we are created to enjoy the creation of God. We do this by living in community with one another; caring for, loving, living in faith with, and loving one another. We believe that we are a community of faith, called together by God, and that God calls us to live our lives by having faith, not by just relying on what we can see, touch and feel.

Faith Talk Questions:

1. What are some of the things the children are doing in the book?
2. Do you do any of those things?
3. What do you do that they are doing?
4. How is what we do different or the same as what the children in the book were doing?
5. Does God hear prayers from all children?
6. Can we still worship God even if we don’t go to this church or Sunday School?
7. Do you know anyone that has different beliefs than you?

Review prepared by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Mason Todd

Lesson Plans: Practicing Christianity with Children, Sessions 6 & 7

Union-PSCE will be closed tomorrow, Good Friday, and we are therefore posting the final two sessions in this series of lessons today.  Session 6 helps parents consider how to practice worship with children and session 7 demonstrates possibilities for Bible study with children.  A number of different children’s books are used in each of these sessions with parents.

We will post again beginning Monday, April 5.  May you all have a blessed and joyous Easter.

Come Sunday

Name of Book:  Come Sunday

Author:  Nikki Grimes

Illustrator:  Michael Bryant

Publisher:  Eerdmans Books for Young Readers

Audience:  All Ages

Summary:  Come Sunday is the story of a young girl’s joyful celebration through the Sabbath day. This book would make an excellent baptism gift for children of any age.

Literary Elements at Work:  Come Sunday is Nikki Grimes’ recount of young LaTasha’s journey through the Sabbath day.  Using poetry, Ms. Grimes moves our young worshipper, and consequently us, from the breaking of dawn to the closing of dusk on this re-creating day.  Each movement of her Sabbath sojourn is given its own poetical verse.  For example, LaTasha’s day opens with “Come Sunday, Mommy wakes me up with whispers.  LaTasha, honey, she says to me. Time to shed dawn’s cozy quilt.  Come on, Sweet Pea. Open up those eyes.” and closes with “Now I lay me down to sleep…” Additionally, Michael Bryant’s bright and vivid illustrations in water color lend an ethereal landscape for LaTasha, and consequently us, to travel along as we traverse this most holy day.

Scripture:  Exodus 20:1-2, 8-11

Theology:  “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery…”  God has already freed Israel to be free for God and one another.  The Ten Commandments are not hoops to jump through so that one may be free.  Rather, they are a description for life in community with God and one another because one is already free.  When turned around into ten hoops to jump through in order to be free, the Ten Commandments become fetters that bind, and one is no longer free.  I knew a woman who hated Sundays. Honoring the Sabbath had become a hoop for her and her family to jump through in order to achieve freedom.  When she was a little girl, Sunday was a day of “no”—“no card playing,” “no knitting,” “no playing outside…”“no,” “no,” “no” and “no.”  In the Reformed tradition honoring the Sabbath is a day of celebration – a joyous response to the freedom God has given us in Jesus Christ.  We say “yes” – “yes” to dressing up, “yes” to going to church, “yes” to singing the hymns, “yes” to saying what it is we believe, “yes” to celebrating the gifts of God.  The Ten Commandments are predicated on its preamble.  “I am the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”  They are boundaries given to the free.  Let’s celebrate!

Faith Talk Questions:

1. One Sunday, walk your child(ren) through his or her Sabbath day along with LaTasha.  Wake your child up by reading LaTasha’s wake-up poem.  Read with your child about the “Blue-Haired Ladies” as you enter church.  Who do you and your child(ren) see sitting in church?  Blue-haired ladies?  Pink-haired ladies?  No-haired gentlemen?  Tell your child(ren) who you saw in church when you were a little girl or little boy.  Did you see blue-haired ladies?  Did gentlemen wear hats?  Did ladies wear gloves?  Did you go to church when you were a child?  If not, when did you start going to church?  Who took you to church?  What did you wear to church when you were a child?
2. Read with your child(ren) “On the March.”  What kind of instruments does LaTasha’s church use for music and singing?  What kind of instruments does your church use for music and singing?  An organ? Piano? Drums? Guitars?  Which instrument is your favorite?  Which instrument is your child’s favorite?  What are your favorite hymns?  What are your child’s favorite hymns?  Have a hymn sing in the car (or on the bus, or on the walk) on the way home from church.
3. Read about LaTasha’s offering.  Why do we give money to the church?  What does the church do with the money we give?
4. Tuck your child(ren) in on the Sabbath night as you read “Lights Out.”   What nighttime prayers did you say as a child?  What nighttime prayers do you say with your child(ren)?
5. Paradise Baptist church is the name of LaTasha’s church.  What does “another day in Paradise” mean?  Is there any other meaning?  What is the name of your church?  Do you wonder why?  Guess?  Ask your minister.  What is your favorite part of the Sabbath day?  Why?  What is your child’s favorite part of the Sabbath day?  Why?  What was your least favorite part of the Sabbath day when you were a little girl or a little boy?  Why?  What is your child’s least favorite part of the Sabbath day?  Why?
6. Share LaTasha’s Sabbath story with the entire family—grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, friends, and neighbors.  Then have everyone share his or her own Sabbath story.  Write, paint or color your own Sabbath stories.

Review prepared by Kim Lee, MACE, Entering Cohort Fall 2007