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Summary (also available through PDF flier): In full color, with photos and illustrations throughout, Let the Children Come to Me is a resource for families nurturing faith development of elementary-aged children structured around twelve Anabaptist faith practices: Scripture reading, prayer, community, bearing witness, service to one another, worship, non-violence, steadfast faith, the centrality of Christ, communion, believer’s baptism, and stewardship. Congregations interested in a bulletin insert are welcome to download this one (and we can provide two-up PDFs if preferred.) Each faith practice is developed as a short unit (the equivalent of two page-spreads) and explored through stories from Anabaptist/Mennonite history—one from the sixteenth century and one contemporary, global story. These stories are accompanied by scripture passages, conversation-starters, prayers, and multiple options for family activities. The book is supported by the Institute for the Study of Global Anabaptism (ISGA) of Goshen College, through the Bearing Witness Stories Project. “This resource is an amazing treasure for our families! A great balance of principles and experience, contextual relevance and cultural diversity, historic and contemporary challenges, Anabaptist values, and teaching resources. Highly recommended.” —César García, Executive Secretary, Mennonite World Conference “Let the Children Come to Me fills an important gap in Anabaptist faith formation resources by holistically blending scripture, historical and current stories, spiritual practices, and hands-on activities in a visually appealing, child-friendly format. It could easily be used by grandparents with visiting grandchildren or by younger leaders club, camp, or Sunday school settings. I will certainly recommend it for use in my congregation.”—Elsie Rempel, Faith formation consultant, Winnipeg, Canada; Author, Please Pass the Faith: the Art of Spiritual Grandparenting “The
materials . . . in this book beautifully illustrate . . .
central
convictions of the Anabaptist tradition. Children are both innocent
before God and in need of instruction. In twelve simple, clear, and
creative chapters, Lisa Weaver and Elizabeth Miller have provided a
resource for families, mentors, and Sunday school teachers . . .
committed to nurturing . . . children in . . . basic teachings of the
Christian faith.” —John
D. Roth, in the Afterword “Mennonites
have become increasingly aware that Christian faith and spirituality
are formed over time. A seed popped into the ground doesn’t instantly
become a tree. Similarly, Anabaptists can’t expect that showing up at
church every Sunday will turn adults or children into fully formed
believers. The beauty and importance of this book is in its gentle and
firm encouragement that we have stories to share about following Jesus
over time. While some Anabaptists have died for the faith as martyrs,
many have have lived out and are living their faith. This book can help
us develop skills and confidence as parents and with children to tell
those stories—to bear witness to the faith alive and growing in us.” —Malinda Elizabeth Berry,
Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics, Anabaptist Menonite
Biblical Seminary The Designer: Judith Rempel Smucker brings each unit to life with engaging full-color images, photos, and designs that invite participation. Market: This book
will help
North American Anabaptists connect their own faith with early
Anabaptist history and with global Mennonites in the present while
deepening their own spiritual practices as a family. Back-matter
suggestions enable easy adaptation of this resource for Sunday school
teaching or children’s workshops at congregational, conference, or camp
retreats. Shelving: Christian education—Mennonite; Global Anabaptist community; sixteenth-century Anabaptist beginnings; Family faith development; Children’s activities Publisher: Cascadia
Publishing House LLC |
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