1. Winners and Losers?
For those in MC USA, the actions taken at the Special Assembly in Kansas City this past weekend can leave many feeling like winners or losers. With a 267 yes, 212 no, and 9 abstentions vote on “A Resolution for Repentance and Transformation,” I know there are faithful Anabaptists across the denomination celebrating and others lamenting these actions. Whether we feel these actions taken by our delegates are wrong, right, taken at the right time or not, let’s take an opportunity to pray for understanding, patience, and a spirit of unity as we all seek to faithfully follow Christ’s way of peace.
2. May was Mental Health Awareness Month–Let’s Keep Being Aware
I’m on a mailing list that highlighted a resources from Beaming Books with some great “Kid-Friendly” Mindfulness activities. Check out this or another great resource for helping kids talk about feelings, emotions and mental health.
3. It’s VBS Season
Pray for planners, leaders, and helpers and for the children who will be coming together and learning together what it means to follow God. Think about how you can contribute to your congregation or communities’ Vacation Bible School. Everything from creative decorating skills to an onsite nurse or doctor in case of emergencies, ordering supplies ahead of time to providing snacks, there are many we can all contribute no matter how young (or old!)
4. Summer Reading Programs
We all know how important preventing “Summer Slide” is for kids (Summer slide is the tendency for students, especially those from low-income families, to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. But did you know that reading books provides great benefits for adults as well? Studies have show regular reading of books (not short articles, newspapers, etc.) actually can help combat the effects of aging and memory loss? Check out your church or public library summer reading program and encourage someone else to participate.
5. Post-COVID
Continue to pray for and remember those struggling with post-COVID or long-COVID symptoms. Even those who seem to have a mild case of COVID-19 can struggle for months or years with a variety of symptoms with no effective treatment options. How can we as individuals provide encouragement and hope to individuals and families struggling with post-COVID? (Good questions to consider as we think about anyone in our lives that struggles with a chronic condition).
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