A wise and creative approach to nurturing a child's spiritual life that is effective and full of love. Wisdom and inspiration to discover the sacred in ordinary moments of family life; Simple rituals, blessings, verses and songs that enliven the home with joy, beauty and peace. Praise: "If every parent on earth read and absorbed this book we would know peace on earth." ~ Blythe Rowan, Lilipoh Magazine
The Only Resource of Its Kind Is Now Two Bestsellers in One! Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children or youth or vulnerable adults. With this in mind, attorney, pastor, and author Melton outlines a process for developing policies and procedures to recognize and reduce the risk of abuse in the church. Safe Sanctuaries combines and expands information from two of her earlier groundbreaking books, which focused, separately, on children and teens. "Safe Sanctuaries is the most helpful resource I have found dealing with this troubling topic," says one minister. "Straightforward yet non-threatening, the information is helpful for all denominations and congregations of faith." Practical guidance is provided in developing and implementing a substantive, holistic action plan of abuse prevention: recruiting, screening and working with volunteers training models for all who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults suggestions for congregational response to unthinkable allegations of abuse order of worship celebrating the adoption of "Safe Sanctuaries" policies Melton's transformative, relevant, and foundational resource will train leaders in what they need to know to stay safe and keep the vulnerable in their care safe. This revised edition now features updated and timely information about protecting young people from online predators.
A valuable resource for parents, counselors and educators of all faiths and philosophies. Includes creative ideas for celebrating contemporary rites of passage from birth to age 21. Over 20 rites of passage ceremonies, over 30 songs to honor life transitions, family rituals for celebrating birthday passages, guides for imparting age-appropriate rights and responsibilities in a young person's life, and ideas for parents and caregivers to reclaim and heal life passages from the past. Praise: "For such a ritually starved people as ourselves, (Living Passages) is a masterpiece. Shea is doing us an immense favor here, not just in offering us honest rituals and prayers for every aspect of our lives, but, in effect, letting us know we can do the same."(Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Franciscan Priest and author of Adam's Return) "What an encouraging and empowering book! Shea has shared her family's rich journey raising children from infancy to adulthood in a way that will inspire anyone with children to take the next step in creating meaningful celebrations and ceremonies to mark life's transitions. What a gift!" (Rahima Baldwin, Parenting Educator and Author of You Are Your Child's First Teacher)
Real understanding of past societies is not possible without including children, and yet they have been strangely invisible in the archaeological record. Compelling explanation about past societies cannot be achieved without including and investigating children and childhood. However marginal the traces of children's bodies and bricolage may seem compared to adults, archaeological evidence of children and childhood can be found in the most astonishing places and spaces. The archaeology of childhood is one of the most exciting and challenging areas for new discovery about past societies. Children are part of every human society, but childhood is a cultural construct. Each society develops its own idea about what a childhood should be, what children can or should do, and how they are trained to take their place in the world. Children also play a part in creating the archaeological record itself. In this volume, experts from around the world ask questions about childhood - thresholds of age and growth, childhood in the material culture, the death of children, and the intersection of the childhood and the social, economic, religious, and political worlds of societies in the past.
Since 1998, Safe Sanctuaries has been a trusted source of guidance for churches and other affiliated institutions as they work to reduce the risk of abuse in their communities through proven policies and practices. A changing world, however, requires a constant renewal of these trusted strategies along with new and updated approaches to the work of preventing abuse. Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust within Faith Communities builds on the strong foundation of past resources while also inspiring and preparing churches for the work of the future. Safer Sanctuaries acknowledges the fears that swirl around the subject of abuse and encourages churches to respond with honesty, open communication, and accountability to the challenges faced in these communities. This approach allows communities to encourage flourishing instead of fear and build welcoming, thriving communities that are open and safe for everyone. The seven sections of this resource walk through the theological grounding of this work, the psychology of abuse prevention, the basic guidelines for risk reduction, age-level specific guidance, step-by-step instructions on designing and implementing a churchwide policy, how to respond to abuse, and an affirmation and encouragement for the work ahead. Safer Sanctuaries is also a comprehensive volume that includes chapters with guidance for working with: Nursery-age and preschool children Elementary-age children Youth People with disabilities Older adults Camping and retreat attendees College students Sample forms are also provided for help in screening workers, requesting background checks, checking references, and reporting suspected abuse. Building a safer sanctuary can be a life-giving and community enhancing work of ministry for a congregation. It can be an empowering, joyful way of being in community that promotes the safety and security of all people.
Integrating social and cultural history with archaeological evidence and material culture, this first comprehensive study of infancy and earliest childhood encompasses the whole Roman Empire and explores the particular historical circumstances into which children were born and the role and significance of the youngest within the family and society.
A one-of-a-kind book--full of ideas, reflections, and practical advice offering a fresh view of daily life in the home and family. Weaving songs, stories, family rituals, and verses throughout, mother and educator Shea Darian shows how to bring joy to such daily events as mealtimes, going to bed, chores, naps, and playtime. A practical, creative, and much-needed resource for child-rearing in the '90s.
- Suggested process and tools for developing and implementing policy; - Guidance in recruiting, screening, and hiring workers; - Basic procedures for safe ministry with youth; - How to handle issues related to camping, retreats, mission trips, lock-ins, choir tours, and other settings; - How to develop a congregational plan to respond to allegations of abuse; - Suggested training model for youth ministry workers; - Sample forms.
Animal Kingdoms puts sanctuaries in perspective through the imagery of veteran writers and photographers. Kenneth Brower, whose career has taken him to many North American parks, explores the animal magic of greater Yellowstone. National Geographic senior writer Tom Melham draws on experiences of various South American assignments as he delves into that continent's zoological riches. While British author Anthony Smith recalls past and present wanderings in East Africa, fellow Briton Douglas Botting reminisces about Europe's diverse wildlife reserves. Asia specialist Patrick R. Booz visits India's Kaziranga, in the shadow of the Himalaya. Australian Graham Pizzey marvels at his country's unique refuges, especially a park known by the Aborigine-inspired name of Kakadu. Together, the six authors sample some of nature's most fascinating and diverse remnants: the world's animal kingdoms.
