The Melheimian Sabbatiblog

My Best Birthday Gift Ever

Last month before dad's surgery he asked me, "What do you need from me before I die?"

I answered, "Joseph (my 11 year old son) needs to hear your stories. He needs to know more about where our family came from and who he is."

Yesterday Arlyce flew dad here as a surprise 49th birthday present. She led me to the front door and made me close my eyes - I thought I was getting a bike - and there he was.

Last night at the dinner table I turned to dad and said, "So, what advice would you give your 11 year old grandson on finding a good wife?"

The next half hour was a delight. He went all the way back to his high school youth group days and told us about the "group dates" they used to take. He talked about the advice of his college dean: "You owe it to yourself and your future that you date at least 2500 girls before you choose one." (Advice he gave to me on the way to college. I ran out of money before I ran out of girls.)

He talked about his little brother who dated a girl who attempted suicide after the break up. He reminised about walking into the farmer's kitchen on internship, seeing my mom for the first time, and knowing immediately, "That's the girl I'm going to marry."

It went on and on. Joseph, who normally is ready to leave the dinner table within nanoseconds of wolfing down his meal, sat in polite (if not rapt) attention.

And we all listened to a little slice of history that will soon disappear.

If your parents are still alive and you've got children, write them right now and tell them what you want them to give your children for Christmas.

Time. Stories. Heritage.

Rich

Oh yeah, this just in from Tammy C. in Riverside. It illustrates another gift that you can give every night: the power of blessing.

Hi Rich

The coolest thing happened to me today and I wanted to share it with you. My twin sons are now just about 2 1/2 and though we would love for them to be speaking English much of what they have to say is simply understood only between the two of them. We know they understand us but the speech component is just not there yet. Today I was trying to put them down for a nap and needless to say they were not working with me. Nothing seemed to work so finally I decided lay down next to them and model night night.

Nathan cuddled in next to me and and laid there staring at me. I looked back at his cute little face and said "Night Night close your eyes". He just continued to stare. Finally he took his finger and made the sign of the cross on his own forehead. I realized then he was waiting for his bed time blessing. Today he blessed me with his simple little gesture towards himself as part of what we do before we go to sleep.

Words can't express how deeply I want him to know the love his father in heaven has for him, I have learned so much from the methods that Faith Ink provides and I am very greatful to be able to share it with my family as well. Thank you for allowing yourself to be God's tool, it has been a huge blessing for my family and congregation.

13 or Bust

Here’ s food for devos at council some time soon. It’s Barna’s latest: “In essence, the researcher noted, what you believe by the time you are 13 is what you will die believing.”

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=153

Cartoon

Here's an idea generated by our favorite DC FINK, Debbie Streicher.

FSSU Last Morning

Good morning from the wonderful people who are completing the FSSU in beautiful Victorian downtown Stillwater. Here's a quotable quote from each person:

Roger: "If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got!"
Leann: "Change is good!"
Pam: "Live like you're full of grace!"
Sarah: "Stepping Stones is going to put a church in every home!"
James: "Hello from Canada!"
Art: "I don't think you can go that way, Pam!"
Rich: "Don't throw candy. Ouch!"

FSS U & Climbing

I'm back for three days doing a Faith Stepping Stone University. Here's a shot of lunch from the deck with some fine folks from around the country who care about family ministry. And speaking of family, here are two shots of the kids at "Garden of the Gods" only 45 minutes from our door when you come to see us in Colorado this year.

Rich

New Confirmation Service

I'm just finishing the final wording on the new promises for Faith Stepping Stone 7 - Confirmation.

Any suggestions?

Promise 1:
Children of the Promise, will you continue in
the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism?
Will you stay close to your Christian friends in this
place, supporting and strengthening them even as they
do the same for you? And, one day when you leave this
place to launch out on a life of your own, will you
remain in fellowship with Christ’s family and the
church that has nurtured you for as long as you live?

Promise 2:
Children of Grace, you have worshiped, listened, loved,
and learned of Christ in your homes, in your small groups,
and in this holy place. Here, in this place, you have been
nourished by God’s Word. Here, at this table, you have feasted
on the forgiveness of sins through our Lord’s Supper. Will you
continue to put yourself into these sacred spaces where God can
reach you and teach you? Will you continue to carve out ample
times and places to hear the still, small voice of God and taste in Christ’s forgiving presence from this day forward for as long as long as you live?

Promise 3:
Children of Light, you have been graced with the
knowledge of God’s amazing plan to set the world free
from sin, death, and bondage to all the dark powers!
What will you do with this good news? Will you be
bearers of the light? Will you share the grace of Christ
with a broken, hurting world? Will your words and
actions give praise and glory to God so others may taste
and see the goodness of the Lord through your loving
example every day of your life for as long as you live?

Promise 4:
Children of Humbleness, you have learned from Christ
that the greatest of all is the servant of all. Will you be a
willing servant in your family? Among your friends
and enemies alike? In your school? In this church? In a
world that demands to be served rather than serve, will
you humble yourself, put others’ needs before your
own, and serve all according to the example of Christ
from this day forth for as long as you live?

Promise 5:
Children of Peace, Jesus was called the Prince of Peace.
Yet, he met a violent death. He lived the life of a prophet,
speaking out for God; standing up against oppression and
the racism of his day; and even challenging the religious
establishment when it forgot God. In a world of hatred and
injustice, will you speak out for God even if it costs you?
Will you use your power on behalf of the powerless; your
voice for those who have no voice? Will you work for peace
and justice in your home, in your school, and in all God’s
world from this day forth for as long as you live?

Promise 6:
Will you continue to share Highs & Lows as a family
each night? Will you continue to read a verse from God’s
Word; to reflect on God’s Word as it speaks to you;
to confess and forgive; to pray for your parents’ Highs &
Lows; and to bless one another before you turn out the lights
on each day? Will this special time with your parents and
with God remain your top priority for as long as you live
under your parents’ care? If this is your intention, please
answer: “Yes, and I ask God to help and guide me.”

Stones Around the Church

My new friend Clint drove through the ice and snow after Lenten services to be with us for the stones unveiling. Here's what he's thinking right now.

If you'd like to get into the "stones around the church" thing, drop him a line. I'm off for Vegas to go double or nothing with the Sabbatical budget.

Rich

Dear Rich,

Some follow up thoughts to the conference. My first thought is, wow,
thanks for the hospitality and gift of letting me attend. It was
great. You've got a beautiful office complex there.

We have some folks at St. John's that are really excited about the
Stepping Stones materials. I've been loaning out the CDs for youth to
listen to, and I'm getting positive feedback. And I really think we're
going to do the decor thing of setting up "stones" around our church
with art and resources on each of the steps. Whatever you can do in
the way of providing materials for stations of this kind would be
appreciated.

I think the core content of the program is right on. It will be a
stretch for our congregation to get set up to use the Powerpoint
material, because we're a little slow on the technology end. But
centering in evening devotional practices is splendid.

I wonder if you've ever read Maxwell Johnson's history on the Rites of
Christian Initation. Probably you have, given that you focus so much
on youth faith development and confirmation, but in case you haven't, I
recommend it as a historical resource. I'm currently working on an
application for a grant to study post-Christendom, post-literate forms
of RCIA in more detail. I'm especially interested in the relationship
between materials like Faith Ink puts out, and some of the other
"catechetical" programs out there in the church. Alpha is the most
popular, Rick Warren's book has exploded in the past year, the ELCA's
catechumenate is on slow burn, the RCIA in the Roman Catholic Church
has been doing solid things for a while. I want to look at the
connections. I think this is related at some level to your fifth
church stuff as well.

Again, thanks for hosting me. I'll look forward to continuing our
dialogue.

In Christ,

Clint Schnekloth [perichoresis2002@mac.com]

Chicken Butt

Rich,

Thanks for the opportunity to go through your Faith Stepping Stones system last week in Stillwater. Very inspiring and we have lots of ideas going through our heads.

One thing I wanted to add when you asked at the beginning of the day, "What do you think when you hear the word incubator?" The picture that came to my mind was a big chicken butt instead of the incubator we in which we place preemies or eggs. I thought of the chicken butt because the butt belongs to the parent of the egg being nurtured. Not smartest or most noble animal but one that will protect it's eggs through a fire, attack of a predator, or just the harsh cold reality of the world.

The individuals with the greatest impact on a child are the parents (we could also go into a long discussion and analogy on Piaget's study of imprinting and birds). Instead of the sterile environment of the incubator (Sunday school with stickers on handouts to take home and throw away, kids need the messy end of the chicken--an imperfect but forgiven Christian parent.

As you always say, "Parents, we can't teach the faith to your children, butt we can do it with you!" Time to go build some healthy nests that the deceiving fox cannot enter and destroy.

Blessings on the new endeavor of your expanded FSS ministry materials. We plan to sign up as soon as it is available and are looking forward to beta testing the next set of materials for you.

Peace,

Carl A Eliason[SMTP:CARLATHOME@JUNO.COM

Stones for Adult Baptism

From: Paul Owens
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 12:06:07 PM
To: Rich A. Melheim
Subject: RE: My Bible presentation audio link

Hi Rich,
Here's a something for your creative, faithful juices:
For many (almost half) of the families who are coming to us for the Baptism Stepping Stone, their kids are already in elementary school...( not to mention the 8 adults who we baptized in '03). I have tailored previous classes to fit the group, but done that all prior to the latest FSS power points & other resources y'all are providing.
My questions are: Given what you know, what key elements would you include for families preparing to baptize older children? ... how would your approach differ from the current "Raising a Healthy Baby" Stepping Stone?... and what FINK resources (existing or not yet dreamed up) might you make use of? Some of the "Basic Fink Think" principles and slides? And the 50 pt. bonus question: got any thoughts on a "Stepping Stone class" for Adults preparing to be baptized?
We are just finishing the "Healthy Baby Stone" with one group and already have two families with preschool and elementary age kids "circling over the airport", waiting for the next class... so I am already grateful for whatever thoughts you may send our way.
God's peace,

Paul Owens, Lead Pastor
paul@stpaul.org
St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church
Alpena, MI
www.stpaul.org

Hey Paul,

It's wonderful that the Baptism Stone is attracting families who need to baptize older kids and adults! That means it's an outreach tool, not just an inreach education piece.

Fact: The average Lutheran church baptized 1/2 an adult each year.

(I don't know which half.)

We'll put some thought into what a baptism class for adults would look like. For now, I'll throw this, plus your email address, on my blog and see what kind of conversation we might engage.

Blessings,

Rich

Bible Sunday Address to Parents

Here is a link to an audio clip of Pastor Paul Owens leading parents in presenting Bibles to their kids in worship after a My Bible FSS.

http://www.stpaul.org/sermons/media/s040229po-bible.wma
Thought you might find it helpful. Keep up the good Kingdom work of helping families grow in faith together!

Pastor Kurt Jensen
St. Paul Lutheran, Alpena, MI
www.stpaul.org