My two dogs are total opposites. They are brothers from the same litter but act so differently. As I write this, Cody is barking blindly at the bathroom door while his brother Comet watches him silently, wondering why he is barking. Spoiler alert: no one is in or near the bathroom.
Category Archives: Children
Making Connections
Do you remember what it feels like to be the newbie? At one time or another, we have all been the new people in the room, looking around at an established group, wondering how best to break in. Even when people are kind and hospitable, it is still a social and emotional adventure.
Our Beliefs About Baptism
This September, Dutilh Church will joyously celebrate the baptism of six infants, bless 12 students as they begin confirmation, and celebrate the renewal of baptism for one adult. Since our church family includes people from various backgrounds and traditions, and since there is a wide array of beliefs and practices about baptism, I want to share some of what we believe about baptism in our United Methodist tradition.
A Season of Blessing and Sending or What’s Mine Is Yours
In the space of eight days at the end of July and the beginning of August, my children, who are 23 and 21, moved into their first post-college apartments. I am happy for them and a little sentimental. My babies are grown up.
Pray for Your Heart
I recently came across a great resource for educators on social media called “Joy in the Journey.” (If you are in education, please follow or visit the website joyinthejourneyteaching.com!) The specific resource I read about was a prayer journal for teachers called Prayers for the Teaching Journey. With the start of the school year coming soon and my role in education, this journal piqued my interest!
Into the Unknown
By Bud Fickley, Pastor of Student Ministry There are so many movies out there that have themes that can be related to our faith. As a father of three kids ages five and under, I watch a lot of Disney movies these days. At times, Disney movies drive me a little crazy, but I haveContinue reading “Into the Unknown”
Perseverance
By Maureen Konopka, Director of Music Ministries I like to bring my thoughts on unconventional things when I write my blogs, but today I am reflecting on my amazing daughter. Allison is the sweetest kid, always trying to be helpful, taking charge when someone needs to, and, for the most part, responsible for getting thingsContinue reading “Perseverance”
When Student Ministry “Steals” My Kids
Every year, Confirmation Sunday means saying goodbye to a group of “my” kids, as they become part of Dutilh Student Ministry. Confirmation is the crescendo of children’s ministry programming that begins in our infant nursery. By the time of confirmation, I have spent years with these children, learning the stories of the Bible, singing in the choir, playing endless rounds of Aliens and other group games, and seeing them discover how to love God, love others, and love to serve.
Knowledge Is Power…or Is It?
Recently, our student ministry team began reading Dangerous Wonder by Michael Yaconelli – one of the pioneers of modern youth ministry. It’s a book all about how we regain a childlike faith that looks at the world with awe and wonder and believes that anything is possible. In the introduction, Yaconelli tells a story from his childhood when he still thought he could be like Superman, donning a cape and taking flight.
More Than the Bunny
We hear a lot about keeping Christ in Christmas, but how do we make sure that Easter is about more than baskets, egg hunts, and the Easter Bunny? Here are four simple ways you can keep Jesus at the center of your family’s Easter celebration:
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