Welcome to the Faith Formation Resource Page for Children and Families!
The videos, crafts, articles and other resources on this page were created and curated for families with children in PreK-5th grade. Please let us know what you like and what you would like to see more!
Parenting and Grandparenting For Faith
Craft and Story Videos
Summer Craft Project
Even if you aren’t attending WEIRD summer camp, you may want to make the awesome bulletin board that Ms. Carmen created! Watch the demo video here and make your own at home with recycled cardboard, fabric, ribbon, staples and glue.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – Communities Remember – Craft Video
Based on Joshua 3: 1-17; 4:1-24
July 12, 2020
Moses led the Israelite people on their Journey to the Promised Land, but he died before they got there. After Moses died, the LORD spoke to Joshua. Joshua was a helper to Moses and became the new leader.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – Making Stamps: Faith, Hope, Love – Craft Video
Based on Corinthians 13:13
July 1, 2020
Read the Bible passage in 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 and count how many Cmes the word Love appears in these 13 verses. Draw a heart for each Cme you see the word love.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – The Golden Rule – Craft Video
Based on Matthew 7:12
June 7, 2020
The book of Matthew tells many stories including stories about Jesus and his whole life. Read all of chapter 7 to really understand the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is a summary of Jesus teachings. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” means.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – Pentecost: Happy Birthday Church!
Based on Acts 2: 1-41
May 29, 2020
The followers of Jesus, the apostles were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like a howling wind filled the house. They saw what looked like a flame or light over each person’s head. They were filled with Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – Paul Escapes Video
and Study Guide
Based on Acts 9: 20-25
May 20, 2020
Saul did not believe in Jesus. One day while traveling he had an extraordinary experience, became blind, and was cared for by a Christ-follower named Ananias. As a result, his heart was changed, his eyes were opened, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to see all people with love and not hate. After this change Saul in often called Paul. He was preaching and teaching about Jesus in the city of Damascus. He became stronger in faith and this confused the Jewish leaders. Some of them wanted to kill him.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – Saul Changes to Paul – Craft Video and Study Guide
Based on Acts 9 – 1-19
May 13, 2020
Saul was a man who did not believe in Jesus and was mean to anyone who did believe. He had been taught that the best way to serve GOD was to obey only a certain set of rules called the Law of Moses. Christians obeyed what Jesus taught, so Saul thought they were a threat. He was determined to get rid of them. The Christians were very scared of Saul. This is his story about how GOD stepped in and changed his life.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – Peter & John Heal a Man and Tell People About Jesus – Craft Video
Based on Acts 3 – 4:1-22
April 29, 2020
Peter and John meet a crippled man at one of gates to Jerusalem. He cannot walk and his friends and family bring him to the gate everyday so he can beg for money. Begging for money is his job. He asks Peter and John for money, but they have no money. Instead, they offer him healing in the name of Jesus. The man is healed and begins to walk and jump around, praising Jesus. Everyone who saw was amazed and Peter began to speak about Jesus and encourage them to change their hearts and lives to follow Jesus.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – Thomas Believes Craft and Video, based on John 20:24-31
April 23, 2020
Thomas did not believe that Jesus had come back from the dead. He had never seen anyone come back from the dead before. He wanted to see for himself. Jesus did appear to Thomas. Thomas saw the marks left by the nails in Jesus’ hands and touched the wounds on Jesus’ side. Seeing and touching Jesus made Thomas a believer.
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott –The Road to Emmaus Craft and Video, based on Luke 24:13-35
April 7, 2020
After the death and resurrection of Jesus the disciples had many mixed feelings including sadness, confusion, wonder – and a lot of questions. Two disciples walking to the city of Emmaus from Jerusalem were joined by Jesus, but they did not recognize him. They walked and talked all the way to Emmaus, a 7 mile trip from Jerusalem
The Craft Corner with Carmen Talbott – The Cross and the Cave: A Holy Week Craft and Video
April 7, 2020
The Cross & Cave Craft for Holy Week helps us remember Jesus, the Son of GOD, who died for us and rose from the grave to give everlasting life to all people everywhere. His Spirit lives with us now and will comfort us as we pray and ask GOD to help us put GOD first in our lives every day.
United Methodist ASL: Holy Week – Practice your American Sign Language skills.
The Importance of the Egg – a fun video to watch before coloring eggs.
As you read the story of Mary anointing Jesus in John 12:1-8, use your faith-imagination to wonder what it might be like to host Jesus in your home. Create your own Mary’s Perfume craft with your family.
Deep Blue Connects videos on Amplify – these short, animated videos help families make relevant connections with ancient Bible stories and characters. They supplement Cokesbury Kids Sunday school.
=============================
Articles
==============================
Find new resources for families talking about race and racism. Once again, I share with you much of what has been shared with me from Deacon Christine V. Hides:
Commit to educating ourselves, listening to people of color, and taking action to resist the evil of racism.
Start here: Children’s Community School.
God’s Dream, a picture book by Desmond Tutu – a South African Anglican cleric and theologian known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist.
A Kid’s Book About Racism by Jelani Memory, Co-Founder and CEO at A Kids Book About and Co-Founder at Circle and Narrative
Tips for talking to Children About Race and Racism – Erin Winkler, Associate professor of Africology and Urban Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
An article by Wendy Claire Barrie. See this link on her website for her updated resource list. It is excellent.
To continue to the conversation in the months and years ahead:
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America by Jennifer Harvey, a minister and professor of religion at Drake University. This 20-minute video and article offer a glimpse of her book.
Talking About Race and Racism by Ijeoma Oluo, author of the New York Times bestseller, So You Want to Talk About Race. Additional article & Video.
Parent/Adult-led Faith Formation
Are you familiar with commonsense.org? Common Sense is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a rapidly changing world. They rate media that targets children, educate and advocate for kids. You might want to check out Parent Trapped, a new podcast for parents and caregivers living through the coronavirus pandemic.
==============================
Easter Story Cookies – tell the story as you make these treats on Saturday night. Put them in the oven, then discover an Easter morning surprise!
Cokesbury Kids Sunday School lessons – Simple, step-by-step plans help families explore the Bible together. A different Bible story or passage is added every week.
Creating a Life with God – Recognizing that these are challenging days, The Upper Room is offering an online learning experience without charge. It is recommended for adults by The Academy of Spiritual Formation.
How to be Your Best Self in Times of Crisis – a Ted Talk by Harvard Psychologist Susan Davis on “emotional agility.” (approx. 45 minutes).
Something for the Teachers Among Us: Trauma-Informed Distance Learning
===============================
PrayGround at Home
Alleluia Butterfly Coloring Page – At-home PrayGround activity for Easter Sunday worship.
