Teaching & Learning in the Church
This is an archival page I find useful as a resource for progressive, ecumenical, religious education, and there are many items below that can be shared and viewed online or in hybrid teaching contexts. Some come from published curricula and some are my own creation. Enjoy.
Education is a priority of the Presbyterian Church. It's a hallmark of the denomination. This means theological study is not relegated exclusively to seminaries. The PC (USA) envisions its churches as not only houses of worship but also as centers for theological inquiry.
This page is especially for the congregation members at Manassas Presbyterian Church. Members are encouraged to visit here often for an array of educational resources related to religion and Christian formation. You will find materials here for all ages and in various formats.
MPC is a church in the National Capital Presbytery of the PC (USA), about thirty minutes from D.C. Visit www.mpc-va.org to learn more about my church.
Palm Sunday 2021
What if the Church once again became the primary patron of the arts? And what if artists once again found their primary inspiration in the divine?
Yes, for centuries in the Western world, the church and the arts were inseparable siblings. Now, this relationship is fraught with complication and misunderstanding - to the disadvantage of both churches and artists.
A Sanctified Art is a group of artists making significant inroads to restoring a vibrant fellowship between artists and the church. I met them at the 2020 conference of the Association of Presbyterian Educators.
During the season of Lent and through Easter, MPC Christian Formation is offering an array of excellent teaching and learning materials created by A Sanctified Art - for all ages.
Find electronic resources here for their Lenten curriculum, "Again & Again."
Prioritize home study
If this sounds challenging, it is.
Even under ideal circumstances, there's no substitute for family engagement of the Bible. We were reminded of this in Pastor Dawn's sermon on January 10th. So, transform quarantine by setting aside some at-home time for family study and prayer.
In lieu of in-person teaching and learning this week, please feel free to study the materials I sent via email (and the video in the immediate left column here), then share the lesson with your children, K - 5th grade. SEE STUDY MATERIALS ABOVE DURING LENT.
Volunteers and even seasoned teachers often try to fit all the lesson materials into one teaching session, but that's not how this curriculum was meant to be used. So...
1. Parents should read and watch all materials first, before sharing with the entire family.
2. Then, CHOOSE what parts you feel you can explain well to your children. CHOOSE parts and activities you like, and have fun sharing. Leaving pieces out will not lessen the lesson!
3. Pre-schedule with the entire family about 30 minutes for study. And it does not have to be on a Sunday. Light a candle and say a prayer before you begin, to sanctify the time.
4. Parents should prep any materials and technology AHEAD OF GATHERING, so the family has the best opportunity to learn. You diminish the learning experience when scrambling during your scheduled time for things you need or dealing with tech issues.
If this all seems like a challenge, it is:
You are fostering sacred space and time in your home, and that takes commitment, patience, and trust. Trust that your effort to prioritize sacred teaching and learning will transform and lighten the burden of all other aspects of your daily and weekly endeavors.
May your work to serve God and the discipleship of your family be blessed and joyous.
Christmas storytelling
An old French tale told with an Italian voice
Although you may be unfamiliar with The Clown of God, it's a tradition with many families across the pond -- and here at home, since American Tomie dePaola's 1978 classic, illustrated retelling. I recommend reading it aloud to your younglings this year.
DePaola received the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lifetime contribution to American children's literature in 2011.
Time with Children Sixth Sunday of Easter,
17 May 2020
Poets are essential to how compelling the Bible is
Watch the special children's message from our service on the Sixth Sunday of Easter.
The Book of Lamentations may not spring to mind when teaching children. We find a way to make it accessible for kids without "dumbing it down."
Time with Children Easter Sunday, 12 April
Eggs "mean something" for our happiness
Watch the special children's message from our Easter Sunday service.
The Easter Egg has a history that stretches back to pre-Christian times. How did Christians use their imaginations to make the egg part of the Christian story?
Time with Children Palm Sunday, 5 April
What do Palm branches and spears have in common?
Watch the children's message from our Palm Sunday service.
The images used in the video are:
A Roman Triumph A Victorious Emperor, Mary Evans Picture Library, United Kingdom
James Tissot, Entry into Jerusalem,
c. 1890, Brooklyn Museum
Way of the Cross
An interactive Lenten practice for
all ages
Below is a virtual version of what Pastor Lisa and I had planned for Sunday School on March 22. Although not a children's liturgy, I have adapted for younger worshipers what Pastor Lisa has written. However, adults will find this experience compelling, as well. I recommend settling in prayer before playing the video, which is 15 minutes in length. The timings of the readings allow for your oral response, and you will see text prompts that are to be read aloud. The timings of the images linger a bit, so that you might reflect as you watch. If you'd like a refresher on the origins and meaning of this tradition, which is often referred to as Stations of the Cross, please refer back to my and Pastor Lisa's articles in the March newsletter before viewing the video.
At right: James Tissot, Pilate Washes His Hands, c. 1890, Brooklyn Museum
