I’m excited to share a new resource on gender identity for youth ministers. Check out the Princeton Institute for Youth Ministry Engage blog. In this issue of Engage, I join with other scholars, ministers, parents, and advocates to consider the impact of gender on the faith lives of youth. The series can be downloaded with a discussion questions at the end for a rich and ready-made youth ministry lesson.
I have always struggled with what to do when it comes to rules about dress codes. Whether that was when I was working in state-based juvenile facilities that required girls to wear over-sized, donated men’s t-shirts to “cover up” and not distract the boys or in youth group banning tank tops and running shorts on a mission trip where we would be working in 100 degree weather for the purposes of modesty. As you can Read more…
Join a theological conversation related to childhood, queerness, and media studies via the Syndicate Theology blog. Here I respond to Judith (Jack) Halberstam’s book The Queer Art of Failure and the use of children and childhood as subjects and objects of ethical inquiry.
I’m very proud and honored to share my videos from the Youth Ministry Initiative at Yale Divinity School. On two different occasions we recorded short clips that address a wide variety of issues related to sexuality and gender in the context of Christian youth ministry.
For local Shoreline Connecticut folks. Join me . . . Monday, April 20th 7:15-9:00pm, Griswold Hall First Congregational Church Guilford (Corner of Church and Broad St.) Parenting in today’s world is a complex and courageous task, especially when it comes to issues of sexuality. As parents, it can be an uphill battle to share your values when we talk about relationships, body image, technology, and so on. Exactly when and how do we start talking Read more…
On March 23rd, the town I live in joined Chris Herren, former NBA player turned advocate for youth substance abuse prevention, in Project Purple. The event was a success by measure of attendance and sponsored by a group called It’s Worth It, D.A.Y of Guilford (Developmental Assets for Youth). Most impressive was the youth leadership that worked incredibly hard to spread the word and bring together local businesses, churches, and organizations in support of this Read more…
On Ash Wednesday, I was serving as the choir parent volunteer. The parent brings the snack, serves as the second adult in the room, and helps out as needed. With 10 minutes left in practice, the Junior Choir Director stops and informs the children (3rd – 8th grade) that they can attend the Ash Wednesday prayer service upstairs and receive ashes if they so choose. One young girl raises her hand and says “what for?” Read more…
I love giving and getting presents. I am the person who wears or uses a gift immediately after receiving it. I put time and effort into choosing gifts for close friends and family. That said, I am uncomfortable with a Christmas season that inspires economic excess. As a parent, this discomfort raises the question of emphasizing Santa Claus versus Christ’s birth. Now, I’m not about to put a bumper sticker on my car that says Read more…
As a white parent, I struggle with how to talk about the racialized history of our society with my white children. From the history of Thanksgiving to the events in Ferguson (and so many other cities), I wonder what I can say to my children that won’t be yet another soundbyte or value free explanation of the facts. In an effort to respond to racism, white children are often taught to celebrate other racial groups Read more…
Just yesterday in Sunday Service, as the Cherub Choir began to sing, a few of the singers “got the giggles” after a small mistake was made. To my delight, as a member of our congregation, no one tried to quiet them, rather we all laughed along in good measure and worship integrated not only the joys of their singing, but also their laughter. Not more than a few moments later, my daughter and her classmate Read more…