Family Resources for Sunday September 23

Despair? Did someone say despair was a question in the world? Well, then listen to the sons of those who have known little else if you wish to know the resiliency of this thing you would so quickly resign to mythhood, this thing called the human spirit. — Lorraine Hansberry (1930 — 1965), African American playwright and essayist, author of A Raisin in the Sun, which opened on Broadway in 1973

Story: “Isaiah – Exile and Hope“This workshop presents a different kind of story from the Hebrew scriptures. It is not a story in the strict sense of the word, but poetic writings from the book of Isaiah. Often referred to as the “suffering servant” passage, these words comforted a desolate and despairing people during a terrible time in exile. The “suffering servant” passages speak of the hope for eventual redemption, when the despised and humiliated people would be redeemed, and would be restored to their homeland and their nation. In the text, the suffering person represents the nation of Israel itself, and its hope and expectation that despair and humiliation will give way to a triumphant return home.

Although this passage was composed long ago and in circumstances we no longer fully understand, the theme resonates in Western culture. It appears in beloved fairy tales like “The Ugly Duckling“and Cinderella, and in acclaimed children’s literature, including Harry Potter. The despised one, the vilified one, the one in exile comes in the end to triumph.

Background info: This background info about Isaiah-Exile and Hope is extremely helpful! To get your kids thinking about this topic, you may want to ask:

  1. How you feel when you are having a hard time and someone is trying to help you get through it, telling you that things will get better?
  2. How does someone act when they are mistreated and can’t do anything about it?
  3. How does it feel to hear strong words of hope?

The details about Sunday morning:

Babies – 4 year olds

  • chalice lighting and joys & concerns
  • play inside in our very popular wooden kitchen.
  • play outside.
  • Volunteers pretty please! re@beaconuu.com

Kindergarten- grade 3

  • chalice lighting and joys & concerns
  • Explain the “It Gets Better Project”, noting that it was started as a way to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth who are being bullied, telling them to hold on because it will get better.

Grade 4 – Grade 8

  • chalice lighting and joys & concerns
  • Meg Riley’s “It Gets Better” video
  • Explain the “It Gets Better Project”, noting that it was started as a way to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth who are being bullied, telling them to hold on because it will get better.

What you can do this week at home:

If you are unable to join us, feel free to use these links and resources to create a faith formation opportunity in your own home this week.

  • With family members and trusted friends, talk about your experiences of exile and suffering and of hope and triumph. Explore more of the videos in the It Gets Better project or find examples of the themes of exile and hope in popular culture, movies, and adult and children’s literature.

 

I hope to see your family on Sunday!  Let me know if I can be supportive to you in any other way!  I am here for you.

 

All my best with blessings,

Amy

re@beaconuu.com