October 2023 Newsletter
Book Review - The Peace Table: A Storybook Bible
by Rev. Kerri Clark
The Peace Table: A Storybook Bible
Published in 2023 by Herald Press (an imprint of MennoMedia) and Brethren Press
Age range - Elementary and up
With gorgeous, diverse illustrations and a wide breadth of stories, The Peace Table: A Storybook Bible is a wonderful addition to any home or church library. It includes 140 Bible stories, vivid illustrations from 30 different artists, and questions and prayer prompts for conversation and reflection.
Readers can also follow one of four "peace paths" - Peace with God, Peace Inside, Peace with Others, Peace with Creation - which each highlight 15 stories across the Old and New Testaments around that theme. The "Peace With God" Peace Path includes stories about how God welcomes all, highlighting the stories of Hagar, the daughters of Zelophehad in Numbers 27, Zacchaeus, the Road to Ethiopia, and Peter's vision in Acts 10.
In a time when peace often feels so far away because of violence around the world, polarization in our communities, and increasing rates of mental health challenges in children and adults alike, the reminder that God's vision is for peace is an important one. As the authors share in the introduction, "Conversations around The Peace Table are not always easy. We come from many different places. We understand God's story in unique ways. We have different ideas, beliefs, values, and experiences. Yet, when we come together at this table, we discover anew that we are all beloved children of God, made in God's image. We learn from each other and grow together as peacemakers."
Celebrating Filipino American Heritage Month
by Rev. Martin Rafanan
Every October, our country commemorates the arrival of the first Filipinos aboard the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza in Morro Bay, California, on October 18, 1587. Despite being the second-largest Asian-American group in the United States and contributing significantly to our communities, the history of Filipinos is often overlooked. In 2009, Congress declared October Filipino American History Month, a time to reflect and uplift Filipino heritage and identities. This month highlights Filipino achievements and struggles, as well as the dignity, power, and resilience of being proud Filipino Americans.
Filipino Americans are a part of the ELCA's Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries. The vision of Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries is to grow in strength for ministry, using God’s gifts of culture, language and heritage to share the good news of Jesus Christ, and to love and serve our neighbor in a multicultural world. There are about 22,000 Asians and Pacific Islanders in the ELCA, representing heritages that are highly diverse. Some people have lived in North America for several generations; others have arrived more recently and comprise one of the fastest growing groups among all people who migrate to the United States. We believe that Jesus Christ compels and empowers us to be open and accessible within any community, within any context, and our work involves reaching Asians and Pacific Islanders and growing ministries within their communities.
As a person of Filipino heritage, I rejoice in the gifts and blessings of the Filipino community and the outstanding leadership the community provides in the Pittsburgh Region. For more information about the Filipino community in Pittsburgh and in the southwest Pennsylvania region, go to the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh.
ADHD Awareness Month
by Amy Kelly
When I am speaking to people about neurodiversity advocacy, I often get asked how to work with children, but I also want us to think about how we minister to adults. October is ADHD awareness month, and I wanted to highlight some things to consider as we work to be more inclusive in our churches.
ADHD is primarily genetic, and is a different wiring of the brain. While there are tools, skills, and medication that can help, it's not something people grow out of. It also looks different in each person, it can look like “race car” brains, day dreamers, impulsivity, that person who always has knitting or crochet with them, innovators, and more.
One of things to keep in mind is that ADHDers are living in a system that is not designed for their brain. They are not needing to be fixed, but accommodated.
Many adults, especially those with primarily inattentive symptoms, were not diagnosed as children. Some are just learning in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s that they have been working with a different type of brain. When someone is newly diagnosed, this is an important time to come alongside them. Some people are relieved to learn why life has seemed so difficult, others grieve missed opportunities, and some feel anger for those who let them struggle for so long.
Undiagnosed ADHD often leads to perfectionism, anxiety, and substance abuse. These are coping strategies developed to compensate for not getting the support they needed earlier in life. After diagnosis many of these strategies may lessen, but may never go fully away.
As we plan activities, sermons, and more in our churches, it's a good time to look into how we can incorporate Universal Design Principles. This education strategy looks at adding different types of learning to help all learners (links below in last year’s article.)
Lastly, we do not have a diagnosis for historical figures, but it may be helpful to highlight how God has worked through people with similar behaviors. For instance, I have always appreciated Jesus’ love for Peter and his impulsiveness (which is one of the symptoms of ADHD).
For more information, or for details on working with children, please check out our article for ADHD Awareness from last year.
Depolarization Workshop at ULS
Across the church, we encounter longing for an end to division and hear yearning in the honest question: How do we respond to people who believe (fill in the blank)? One year from the 2024 election and just weeks from Thanksgiving, when many of us will gather at tables with family members we may feel we no longer know, this question takes on deeper urgency.
Join LAMPa and United Lutheran Seminary for Depolarization: An Interactive Workshop for Disciples in a Democracy, in-person on October 27 at ULS-Gettysburg, and virtual on November 8. In these interactive workshops, Silas Kulkarni, ELCA Director of Strategy and Advocacy, will give an introduction to the who, why, and how of depolarization work, particularly in the context of faith-based advocacy. As Christians, we are called by Jesus to love our enemies and to do the work of justice. Sometimes these two calls can seem like they are in tension, if not outright opposition. Focusing on the use of tools and trainings from the depolarization organization, Braver Angels, Kulkarni will introduce a model for loving engagement across ideological and cultural divides, that neither precludes passionate advocacy, nor requires taking a “middle of the road” position. He will also point to opportunities and resources for learning more and continuing beyond this introductory session.
Each session is stand-alone. These sessions will *not* be recorded. Find more information here. Register for October 27 here and for November 8 here.
ELCA Truth & Healing Movement
The ELCA Truth & Healing Movement is providing opportunities to learn the true history and current realities of Indigenous people. It is these truths, truths that have been ignored by most for hundreds of years, that will bring healing for both Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people. Events are free, and no pre-registration is required. Class links may be found here.
Tuesday, October 24, 8-9pm Eastern time - Presentation: Settler Narrative
Tuesday, October 31, 11am-1pm Eastern time - Class: Indigenous Thought & Theology
Thursday, November 9, 8-9pm Eastern time - Presentation: Land Acknowledgement and Land Back Movement