What does it mean to wear my faith on my sleeve? How is it that I live out my faith? (How) do I share my faith in Jesus with others? Sometimes we get uncomfortable when people talk about sharing their faith. Sometimes we fall back on that quote often attributed to Francis of Assisi:

Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.

I think we can tend to fall back on this quotation as a justification for not saying much. Do we consider what our actions say about our faith, or do we use this as a defense mechanism to suggest that people not bug us with this question?

Dorothee Sölle, a German liberation theologian opens up this question in a real, and challenging way:

Tell me how you think and act politically and I will tell you in which God you believe Read more…

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As I mused over what to write for this blog, I was surprised by the many Facebook notes about campaigns that have been highlighted over the last weeks amid all the Christmas media. There have been some pretty heavy days leading up to the festive Christmas season. November 19^th was pink day to stop bullying in our schools, December 1^st was World AIDS Day (Red Ribbon Day) bringing awareness to AIDS/HIV and November 25-Dec 6^th is the White Ribbon campaign to end violence against women. There are so many good and worthwhile causes that are highlighted in our immediate world and many of these campaigns cast youth in the midst of them. We are blessed that we as a youth leaders and youth can teach, support and empower so many of these causes through our Christian faith.

We meet in our youth programs and find we have peers that are living with these issues throughout their lives both openly and in secret. There those who are bullied because of differences, those who have illnesses both seen and unseen, those girls and boys who are battered socially, emotionally and physically.  Pretty serious stuff in what most people see as fun and busy season.  If you are a youth leader you have the ability and gift to talk, coach, support and give comfort. If you are a youth member you can also support and care for those who struggle. Never underestimate the power of simply lending a caring ear or shoulder to those who are hurting especially in a time where we are inundated with happy Christmas themes. Sometimes we forget that this season  is not special for everyone.

Youth programs are not here just to be Christian social groups or nights of hanging out. Don’t get me wrong, those are important too and a fun night of carolling is a great time out but we live in a world that is not perfect and we find many in our own communities who are hurt and are seeking safe havens.  We are called as Christians to be aware and be active in supporting those struggling. Be a safe haven this Christmas season. Offer welcome, support, genuine care and in doing so show love to those youth(or your friends) for whom life is sometimes overwhelming.

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Sister Elizabeth Ann, (yes, there are Anglican nuns!) gives us food for thought to begin Lent in this podcast

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“Lent 4.5,” is an idea from the Passionist Earth and Spirit Center in Kentucky.

It gets its name from the fact that if the world were divided equally among all its residents, each would receive 4.5 acres of land from which to derive all of his or her food, energy, clothing, housing, and “gadgets.” But it takes about 18 acres to maintain the average North American lifestyle.

For a Lenten discipline this year, why not explore a consciousness of living more lightly on the earth?   Consider:

• Where do you get your produce from?  During Lent, choose products sourced on your own continent, rather than from South Africa, Chile, or South Asia.

• How much carbon are you using/producing?  Use one hour less of electronics or powered equipment each day, or get your bike out early, dress warmly and opt not to take the car for short excursions.

• What is your water consumption?  Drink only safe tap water, rather than any bottled water products during Lent.  Set a timer for your shower, and try to cut your shower time by 10-20% each week.  By the end of Lent, your 20 minute shower time is down to 9 minutes, and uses much less energy and water while having plenty of time to get you clean!

• How are you sharing food and resources?  Once a week during Lent, plan to get together with friends to cook a simple meal together.  Take turns hosting.  save energy and create community.  One way we live lighter on the earth is to not assume we all have to own everything privately – what do we ‘own’ (or have access to) that we could share with others around us?

Lent 4.5 explores a different theme each week. This first theme (Ash Wednesday week) is Christian Simplicity. You can visit:

www.lent45.org

Week by week, this website will focus on a particular aspect of consumption as it relates to Christian simplicity, fasting and almsgiving. A new focus issue will be available each Sunday of Lent.

Ash Wednesday Week – Christian Simplicity: Compassionate Living

1st Week of Lent – Food: Buying and Eating are Moral Acts

2nd Week of Lent – Consumption: Buying Less, Wasting Less

3rd Week of Lent – Water: Conserving and Protecting

4th Week of Lent – Energy: Choosing Efficient and Clean

5th Week of Lent – Transportation: Getting Around

Holy Week – Gratitude & Generosity: Becoming Involved

“There is a new way of observing Lent that helps us care for God’s creation by taking steps toward using only our fair share of its resources. Moving in the direction of 4.5 is essential for anyone walking in the footsteps of Jesus today”

From their website

judy For Leaders, Life Issues

A sermon based on Genesis 29:21-35 – submitted by Susan Moore, Coordinator of Youth and Young Families, The Parish of the Ascension, Mount Pearl, NL.

Page One – Brokenness in the Biblical World.

Leah was unloved.  There is nothing more detrimental to one’s heart than being rejected, not being loved in return.  So it is with Leah.  Her father arranged her marriage to Jacob, a man who worked seven years to secure her younger sister’s hand.  He didn’t want her.  But her father Laban wanted Leah married first, as was the custom, and sent her, most likely veiled, to the marriage bed.  But Leah was unloved.  How it must have hurt her when Jacob’s shock was apparent in the morning.  He wasn’t attracted, and he wasn’t grateful, for it was Rachel that he loved.

Read more…

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Living with our Differences:

Community and Diversity in the Church

• A political revolutionary, bent on overthrowing the government – violently if necessary.
• A government official, responsible for collecting taxes owed by his own neighbours.
• An uneducated, thick-witted and stubborn man who catches fish for a living.
• An independent, emotionally-needy woman, recently recovered from mental illness.
• The sophisticated wife of a powerful man who travels in royal circles.
• An intelligent, ambitious, motivated man, well-connected to those in power.
• A fanatically religious, educated and passionate man, determined to destroy his enemies.

What if you asked me to describe my parish congregation and I gave you a list like this one? Would you think: “now there’s a church I want to belong to” ?   Probably not. And I don’t blame you. Read more…

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Exploring Science and Theology:

I first started studying and developing youth workshops on this topic in 2000, in connection with my work at Huron University College in London. With a background in mathematics and engineering, (and more recently, theology and education) I have long had an interest in this subject. More particularly, I have always been a seeker, with a desire to integrate my knowledge of God and my faith with what I knew and saw in the world around me. It was studying science in an integrated way that lead me to incredible new insights and a deeper faith than just theology could give me. Read more…

judy Life Issues, Resources

This paper was published on the Anglican website and is written by Gary Thorne, Diocesan University Chaplain, University of Dalhousie and King’s College, Halifax.

I wouldn’t suggest giving it out to your youth group (it’s a bit ‘academic’), but it is an interesting read and may provide some interesting insights for a group discussion on friendship, marriage and sexual intimacy.  To use it with a youth group, I recommend excerpting some particular quotes as ‘discussion starters’ for a discussion with young people.   Also see the following article by Philip Yancey for more talking points on sex and sexual intimacy. Read more…

staff Life Issues

Yancey makes a lot of interesting points in this article. This one is not quite as ‘academic’ as the Thorne article on Friendship and Marriage.  This article is also worth extracting some quotes and points for a discussion on sex with young people.  Both articles/essays provide interesting ideas and perspectives worth discussing. Older youth could easily read this as background for a conversation.

Read more…

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