Youth Resources

This summer is going to look a lot different than past summers. We have virtual gatherings for the youth, that of course, for now are on Zoom. This summer is the perfect opportunity to take your faith into your own hands, and for your youth to become owners of their faith. Below are books about faith, vulnerability, chaos, and the Bible; some tips about studying and learning from the Bible; and because we all have room to grow, resources for talking and thinking about race, social justice, and inequity.

Read through this email and challenge yourself this summer!

Racial Reconciliation

Over the past month, we have all witnessed instances of injustice against children of God. Emotions and tensions are running high right now as we continue to navigate our lives during a global pandemic, as well as how we all think critically of how we can continue to love and serve our neighbors. Discussions surrounding race and systemic oppression can be difficult, but we encourage everyone to educate themselves, and find new ways of advocating for the marginalized in our society. I encourage your youth to participate as we continue to navigate our world today. Below is a list of resources: conversation guides, movies, and above in the book section you will find suggestions based on age.

Conversation Guide: This is from the National Museum of African American History and Culture- https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race
Watch Just Mercy (Available on digital platform for free through June, like Amazon Prime and Netflix) and look at what the Equal Justice Initiative is doing now ( https://eji.org/)
Look at this link (https://www.glamour.com/story/anti-racist-movies-tv-shows-streaming?utm_medium=social&utm_brand=glm&utm_source=facebook&utm_social-type=owned&mbid=social_facebook_fanpage) for more ideas of movies to watch and where to watch them! There is a wide range of maturity ratings on this list, some appropriate for young children and some more appropriate for teens!) Books to read and explore are listed below:

Children

Antiracist Baby, Ibram X. Kendi
Malcom Little: The Boy Who Grew up to Become Malcom X, Ilyasah Shabazz
Something Happened in our Town: A Children’s Story about Racial Injustice, Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard
Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendes and her family’s fight for desegregation, Duncan Tonatiuh

Youth and Adults

How to be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi
Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates
Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist ideas in America and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and you, Ibram X. Kendi

Follow The Episcopal Church and Michael Curry (he’s the Presiding Bishop and he gives AMAZING sermons) on social media for more resources and The Episcopal Church’s response to Social Justice Issues . Explore the Baptismal Covenant which was taken at baptism (or taken for us if baptized as an infant) on page 304 and 305 of the Book of Common Prayer.

Studying the Bible

The Bible can seem daunting at times, but so much can be learned by digging in. Here are some tips of how to read and learn from the Bible! Attached to this email is a Do-It-Yourself Bible Study of Proverbs that can be a start to your studying of the bible!

Have a good bible!
In the Episcopal Church most congregations use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) for worship!
It is also helpful to have a Bible that has a page before each book talking about the context of the book. Who wrote it? What is it about? Who is it directed to? When was it written?
It is also helpful to have footnotes! Footnotes explain some context. Sometimes it will tell you the literal translation of a word and it makes all the difference in your understanding.
There are lots of Study Bibles intended for Adults and ones for youth! They will have additional prompts or information. Search around to find the best on for you and your youth
Know the context of what you’re reading! In youth group we try not to look at just one verse without knowing what else it is around! Read a whole chapter or a whole book at a time to get the full picture.
Write notes about what you’re reading! If you like to write in the bible, mark it up! Or use sticky notes to keep the pages looking crisp! Writing what you’ve learned and how a passage made you feel is the perfect thing to include in a journal!
Ask Questions! Curiosity is good! Look things up on the Internet to get more information! Reach out to Lillian and Hannah! Ask family members for their interpretation! Ask a clergy person, they have a degree in stuff like this!

Books

Mini stories about Faith in Life

Love Does, Bob Goff
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, Donald Miller
Searching for Sunday, Rachel Held Evans

Courage, Vulnerability, and Whole-Heartedness

Daring Greatly, Brene Brown

Fiction with clear Christian Elements

The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis

Learning about the Bible

What is the Bible?: How and Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories can Transform the Way you Think and Feel About Everything, Rob Bell

Students heading off to College

Belovedness: finding God and Self on Campus, James Franklin, Becky Zartman

Parents and Families

Faithful families: creating sacred spaces at home, Traci Smith
Bless this Mess: A Modern Guide to Faith and Parenting in a Chaotic World, Molly Phinney Baskette, Ellen O’Donnell PhD

**These books have come recommended by colleagues all over the Episcopal Church, parents may want to look into the books before buying for their youth, as these books cover difficult and mature topics, and will cause questions to arise! These books are also all great for adults to read, and would no doubt lead to interesting conversation if read together between youth and parents**

**We have more books to recommend too so do not hesitate to reach out!**