Every year, the National Association of the Church of God Anderson, Indiana, presents a youth camp meeting in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania (www.nacog.com). The purpose for this camp meeting is to empower youth holistically through instructional workshops, various speakers, and other camp actvitites. These various activities are also geared toward unity, worship, prayer, and other things.Youth from all over the country meet at this cand going to worship services tampground for seven days. As a one time attendee of this event, I experienced these activities. I remember singing around the campfire, going to workshops, and taking hikes which all related to prayer. It was a time in which we were away from our parents and came together in the middle of the woods in Pennsylvania to focus on prayer and a closer relationship with God.
Kenneth Hill, author of Religious Education in the African American Tradition, presents 5 models of religious education to African Americans: Kerygmatic, Holiness, Confessional, Afrocentric, Contemplative, and Liberation. In the Contemplative model, Hill states, “ Spiritual approach to AACRE emphasizes prayer, worship, and comtemplative life in action” (p. 128). Hill displays here, that this model of religious education, is effective because of its sense of community, utilization of songs, movement, and feeling. This model focuses on prayer very deeply.
The National Association of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) youth camp meeting, seems to be an effective activity according to Hill's comtemplative model. The focus on prayer and salvation is the method to this meetings success. It allows young people to be put in a place of solidarity and community simulataneously because it takes them away from their comfort zone and brings them into a community with other young people. Through song, dance, and other forms of worship, the camp meeting aims to reach out to young people. Through the lens of Hill, the NACOG Youth Camp is a success.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Vacation Bible School Blog
Vacation Bible School is a religious education program that takes place in the summer. This program is usually held for 1-2 weeks. The duration of VBS varies among churches. Vacation Bible School has been a Protestant based concept almost since it's existence. In the past, Catholic VBS experience has been either non-existent or very limited. It is clear, that Vacation Bible School continues to be growing activity.Vacation Bible School education has been focused on children and youth for many years. Curriculum has been geared for children ages 5-18. Recently, however, the program has begun to add adult education as well. Again, this aspect of VBS varies among churches. Usually, participants are divided in to different classes by age. Even though, the same principles are taught to each age level, it is presents differently for all.
Fowler, in his work Stages of Faith, argues that there are 6 levels of faith in all parishes or churches: Intuitive-projective faith, Mythic-literal faith, Synthetic-conventional faith, Individuative-reflective faith, Conjunctive faith, and Universaling faith. With this in mind, it is clear that Vacation Bible is effective in it's mission.
One would think that because the classes are broken up by age, each stage of faith is covered. It is difficult to concluded that because the adult faith levels are not being addressed. In my church, there is only one class for adults. Grant it, there aren't many adults that attend because of work or other schedules, but because there is only one class for adults it is not addressing the various faith levels among them.
Fowler, in his work Stages of Faith, argues that there are 6 levels of faith in all parishes or churches: Intuitive-projective faith, Mythic-literal faith, Synthetic-conventional faith, Individuative-reflective faith, Conjunctive faith, and Universaling faith. With this in mind, it is clear that Vacation Bible is effective in it's mission.
One would think that because the classes are broken up by age, each stage of faith is covered. It is difficult to concluded that because the adult faith levels are not being addressed. In my church, there is only one class for adults. Grant it, there aren't many adults that attend because of work or other schedules, but because there is only one class for adults it is not addressing the various faith levels among them.
Blog of the Asian American Christian Fellowship
Peter C Phan is the author of Christianity with an Asian Face: Asian Theology in the Making. In the ninth chapter of his work, Phan displays how effective evangelization for the Asian culture is best carried out though inculturation, sharing with the poor and partaking in human rights. He shows that evangelization should be geared toward the total person.
The Asian American Christian Fellowship is a ministry founded in 1973 geared toward Asian American students on college campuses. The mission of the AACF is “ to reach into the university and collegiate community, primarily to those who are Asian Pacific Americans, with the life changing message of Jesus Christ”. This ministry, though discipleship, mentorship, and outreach programs, teach individuals biblical foundations within a culturally-sensitive context. One of their most important missions is to make discipleship of all nations. For this ministry, “nations” is defined as all “ethnos” or people groups.
If analyzing the effectiveness of this ministry through the lens on Peter Phan, it can be stated that the Asian American Christian ministry is being somewhat successful but in some ways ineffective. There is nothing in the website that mentions anything about service to the poor nor solidarity in human rights. There isn't any indication of inculturation either. As stated before, the AACF teaches biblical foundations within a cultural-sensitive context. In this way, the AACF organization is successful. They are identifying the needs of the Asian American community through evangelization.
The Asian American Christian Fellowship is a ministry founded in 1973 geared toward Asian American students on college campuses. The mission of the AACF is “ to reach into the university and collegiate community, primarily to those who are Asian Pacific Americans, with the life changing message of Jesus Christ”. This ministry, though discipleship, mentorship, and outreach programs, teach individuals biblical foundations within a culturally-sensitive context. One of their most important missions is to make discipleship of all nations. For this ministry, “nations” is defined as all “ethnos” or people groups.
If analyzing the effectiveness of this ministry through the lens on Peter Phan, it can be stated that the Asian American Christian ministry is being somewhat successful but in some ways ineffective. There is nothing in the website that mentions anything about service to the poor nor solidarity in human rights. There isn't any indication of inculturation either. As stated before, the AACF teaches biblical foundations within a cultural-sensitive context. In this way, the AACF organization is successful. They are identifying the needs of the Asian American community through evangelization.
Friday, April 24, 2009
"Fill the Ark"
“Fill the Ark” A review of Heifer International and their website http://www.heifer.org/site
Heifer International is an organization dedicated to ending hunger and caring for the earth by creating an environment of stewardship.
Lenten activities generally focus around prayer, fasting, and alms giving. The activity of collecting funds for the missions or others in need is nothing novel, especially during the Lenten season. Heifer International has kid friendly ways to engage children of all ages and their families in comprehending the global need of their stewardship and creative and ways to encourage monetary donations by the use of their individually provided ARK shaped banks. The activity titled “Fill the Ark” provides a calendar with information explaining all the different animals that help other families by providing wool, milk, honey and many other products. The four week calendar provides experiences and tasks to encourage saving money in the ARK bank. Individually or as a larger group, funds collected can be specifically targeted for the purchase of animals for specific countries or for specific needs you wish to help fulfill. Currently there is a special need in aiding China. It is described as the Sichuan Earthquake Rebuilding Project. The site describes the situation in China as dire, many have lost their homes and livestock. Also there are the specific animals that when purchased assist those in specific regions. A flock of geese when purchased directly gives aid to a family in the Philippines with food from the eggs and fertilizer and as the flock multiplies they share and pass on the gift.
The two readings focusing on the Asian-American culture by Peter C. Phan indicate that the Asian Catholic Church can be described as the church of the poor. There has been much oppression from government forces along with many challenges of natural disasters. Much of the history has also shown little regard for the rights and role of women in society. Although there is no one generalization of Asian-American Catholics, some characteristics seem to flow from the influence of the teachings of the Buddhists, Taoists, and Confucius. Generally there is a respect and harmony with nature and all living creatures. A strong cultural bond and respect toward the elders and family also exists.
With these generalizations at heart, the Heifer International organization reflects many of the same values of the compassionate Asian culture, a global outlook for resolving hunger and peace to the earth along with respect and harmony of the environment. The concept of stewardship of humanity and of the earth resonates in both. Heifer International Mission statement reflects some of the essence of what is good in the influences from the Asian religions Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
“Heifer's Mission to End Hunger
Heifer envisions…
A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.
Heifer’s mission is…
To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.
Heifer's strategy is…
To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.”
In an era of fraud and uncertainty knowing where and how your gift is being utilized and how this gift will be passed on to others can be empowering for those on the giving and receiving end. Families can feel connected to a specific global area or cause for the recipient. The value of appreciating and sharing God’s gifts is evident in the Heifer International Mission.
Heifer International, Mission, Retrieved April 24, 2009, from heifer.org:
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201465/?msource=kw3209
Heifer International is an organization dedicated to ending hunger and caring for the earth by creating an environment of stewardship.
Lenten activities generally focus around prayer, fasting, and alms giving. The activity of collecting funds for the missions or others in need is nothing novel, especially during the Lenten season. Heifer International has kid friendly ways to engage children of all ages and their families in comprehending the global need of their stewardship and creative and ways to encourage monetary donations by the use of their individually provided ARK shaped banks. The activity titled “Fill the Ark” provides a calendar with information explaining all the different animals that help other families by providing wool, milk, honey and many other products. The four week calendar provides experiences and tasks to encourage saving money in the ARK bank. Individually or as a larger group, funds collected can be specifically targeted for the purchase of animals for specific countries or for specific needs you wish to help fulfill. Currently there is a special need in aiding China. It is described as the Sichuan Earthquake Rebuilding Project. The site describes the situation in China as dire, many have lost their homes and livestock. Also there are the specific animals that when purchased assist those in specific regions. A flock of geese when purchased directly gives aid to a family in the Philippines with food from the eggs and fertilizer and as the flock multiplies they share and pass on the gift.
The two readings focusing on the Asian-American culture by Peter C. Phan indicate that the Asian Catholic Church can be described as the church of the poor. There has been much oppression from government forces along with many challenges of natural disasters. Much of the history has also shown little regard for the rights and role of women in society. Although there is no one generalization of Asian-American Catholics, some characteristics seem to flow from the influence of the teachings of the Buddhists, Taoists, and Confucius. Generally there is a respect and harmony with nature and all living creatures. A strong cultural bond and respect toward the elders and family also exists.
With these generalizations at heart, the Heifer International organization reflects many of the same values of the compassionate Asian culture, a global outlook for resolving hunger and peace to the earth along with respect and harmony of the environment. The concept of stewardship of humanity and of the earth resonates in both. Heifer International Mission statement reflects some of the essence of what is good in the influences from the Asian religions Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
“Heifer's Mission to End Hunger
Heifer envisions…
A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.
Heifer’s mission is…
To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.
Heifer's strategy is…
To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe.”
In an era of fraud and uncertainty knowing where and how your gift is being utilized and how this gift will be passed on to others can be empowering for those on the giving and receiving end. Families can feel connected to a specific global area or cause for the recipient. The value of appreciating and sharing God’s gifts is evident in the Heifer International Mission.
Heifer International, Mission, Retrieved April 24, 2009, from heifer.org:
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201465/?msource=kw3209
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Making Cascarones-Spanish Confetti Eggs
A Review of the website “Speak Spanish Everyday! Living and Learning en Espanol”
http://speakspanisheveryday.com/category/spanish-holiday-activities/ and the activity titled “Making Cascarones-Spanish Confetti Eggs”.
Looking for an activity that would be connected to my topic of Lent and Easter and to be connected to the Hispanic culture I came across an activity of making Cascarones. The activity begins by briefly describing the history of Cascarones.
“Origins of Cascarones in Mexico - This is the time of year for more traditional casacarones. In 19th century Mexico, one of the few ways that young couples could show public affection was to crack a cascarn or two over each others’ heads at dances during carnaval before Lent, or Cuaresma. Over time, children adopted the custom during Lent. Now everyone is in on the fun right before Ash Wednesday, and some break them out again at Easter, or Pascua.”
Then continues with the activity of creating Cascarones. The site offered step-by-step instructions with clear photos on how to prepare the eggs, dye the eggs, and fill the eggs with confetti.
Chapter seven of Charles W. Dahm’s book, Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community, published by Paulist Press, 2004 was the reading for Week 12. In this reading Dahm describes how a parish in the Chicago area made strides in focusing on effective means of catechesis with an immigrant Hispanic population they served. Dahm indicates that for this culture catechesis is not generally most effective through formal classroom and official teaching but better developed by family experience, and festive celebrations that connect the wealth of customs that the culture grew from. Other successful forms of catechesis included a focus on devotions and prayers that bring together the historical stories and traditions to the present day.
The activity described in the website falls short in the description and history of Cascarones. To create an experience that would cultivate a rich sense of the fun and purpose of the use and celebration associated to cascarones, more would be needed. The website initially seemed to promote the sense that there would be a depth of information for someone searching for information about Hispanic culture. The activity as presented provides a shallow essence of the “why” of the activity and celebration. I would recommend this activity for this cultural group with added components to include scriptural reflections and more historical background.
Making Cascarones-Spanish Confetti Eggs (2009, April 1) Retrieved April 19, 2009, from speakspanisheveryday.com: Today!, http://speakspanisheveryday.com/category/spanish-holiday-activities/
http://speakspanisheveryday.com/category/spanish-holiday-activities/ and the activity titled “Making Cascarones-Spanish Confetti Eggs”.
Looking for an activity that would be connected to my topic of Lent and Easter and to be connected to the Hispanic culture I came across an activity of making Cascarones. The activity begins by briefly describing the history of Cascarones.
“Origins of Cascarones in Mexico - This is the time of year for more traditional casacarones. In 19th century Mexico, one of the few ways that young couples could show public affection was to crack a cascarn or two over each others’ heads at dances during carnaval before Lent, or Cuaresma. Over time, children adopted the custom during Lent. Now everyone is in on the fun right before Ash Wednesday, and some break them out again at Easter, or Pascua.”
Then continues with the activity of creating Cascarones. The site offered step-by-step instructions with clear photos on how to prepare the eggs, dye the eggs, and fill the eggs with confetti.
Chapter seven of Charles W. Dahm’s book, Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community, published by Paulist Press, 2004 was the reading for Week 12. In this reading Dahm describes how a parish in the Chicago area made strides in focusing on effective means of catechesis with an immigrant Hispanic population they served. Dahm indicates that for this culture catechesis is not generally most effective through formal classroom and official teaching but better developed by family experience, and festive celebrations that connect the wealth of customs that the culture grew from. Other successful forms of catechesis included a focus on devotions and prayers that bring together the historical stories and traditions to the present day.
The activity described in the website falls short in the description and history of Cascarones. To create an experience that would cultivate a rich sense of the fun and purpose of the use and celebration associated to cascarones, more would be needed. The website initially seemed to promote the sense that there would be a depth of information for someone searching for information about Hispanic culture. The activity as presented provides a shallow essence of the “why” of the activity and celebration. I would recommend this activity for this cultural group with added components to include scriptural reflections and more historical background.
Making Cascarones-Spanish Confetti Eggs (2009, April 1) Retrieved April 19, 2009, from speakspanisheveryday.com: Today!, http://speakspanisheveryday.com/category/spanish-holiday-activities/
Religious Consumerism and World Youth Day 2005
Blog 6
http://articles.latimes.com/2005/aug/22/world/fg-pope22
World Youth Day 2005 and Religious Consumerism…
“They slept in a dew-soaked field, packed head to toe, and awoke Sunday under heavy gray skies to hear Pope Benedict XVI urge his youthful followers to live a life of faith and work to spread it.”
Lamenting a "strange forgetfulness of God" in modern society, Benedict cautioned Sunday that religion could not be a "consumer product…. Religion constructed on a 'do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us," he said. "Anyone who has discovered Christ must lead others to him. A great joy cannot be kept to oneself.". (Pope Benedict XVI)
This makes me think of a concept I learned in undergraduate classes called cafeteria-style Catholicism. I think I’ll take a heaping teaspoon of the Creed, but go light on the whole divinity of life “thingie” I may not be okay with the entire pro-life platform; I’ll take a scoop of the Holy Trinity, but go easy on the Sacraments… I only want to be Confirmed so I can get married in the Church; I’ll take three cups worth of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but don’t ask me to follow you, Lord, without guarantees and assurances”. In our consumer society it is to easy to purchase too much of something useless, or to think we can always “get it later”. By and large, the youth of today do not think of what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves; they are consumed with what they can acquire for themselves. They are not concerned about standing in solidarity with the anawin in our midst; they are concerned with whether or not to engage in illicit behaviors with other youth… and how to feel “more”.
Freedom granted by God "is not simply about enjoying life in total autonomy, but rather about living by the measure of truth and goodness, so that we ourselves can become true and good," he told the crowd, offering the central moral prescription of his four-day appearance here. "This gesture is necessary even if initially our yearning for freedom makes us inclined to resist it." (Pope Benedict XVI)
It is therefore imperative that we, as catechists to the youth of today, continue to foster self-esteem, self-awareness, and to help the children to concentrate on the Divinity within themselves, and in others; and to realize that God speaks freely and frequently to each of them. To continue to teach the youth in our care that they are “Wonderfully and beautifully created in the image and likeness of God”, that God has a special role for each of them (and no two are alike), that they need the fullness of their faith and to live that faith in “full and active participation” to fulfill the primal and spiritual need to connect to the divine and others in the homocentric Church and to enhance the sacramentality of life for all.
http://articles.latimes.com/2005/aug/22/world/fg-pope22
World Youth Day 2005 and Religious Consumerism…
“They slept in a dew-soaked field, packed head to toe, and awoke Sunday under heavy gray skies to hear Pope Benedict XVI urge his youthful followers to live a life of faith and work to spread it.”
Lamenting a "strange forgetfulness of God" in modern society, Benedict cautioned Sunday that religion could not be a "consumer product…. Religion constructed on a 'do-it-yourself' basis cannot ultimately help us," he said. "Anyone who has discovered Christ must lead others to him. A great joy cannot be kept to oneself.". (Pope Benedict XVI)
This makes me think of a concept I learned in undergraduate classes called cafeteria-style Catholicism. I think I’ll take a heaping teaspoon of the Creed, but go light on the whole divinity of life “thingie” I may not be okay with the entire pro-life platform; I’ll take a scoop of the Holy Trinity, but go easy on the Sacraments… I only want to be Confirmed so I can get married in the Church; I’ll take three cups worth of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but don’t ask me to follow you, Lord, without guarantees and assurances”. In our consumer society it is to easy to purchase too much of something useless, or to think we can always “get it later”. By and large, the youth of today do not think of what it means to be a part of something bigger than themselves; they are consumed with what they can acquire for themselves. They are not concerned about standing in solidarity with the anawin in our midst; they are concerned with whether or not to engage in illicit behaviors with other youth… and how to feel “more”.
Freedom granted by God "is not simply about enjoying life in total autonomy, but rather about living by the measure of truth and goodness, so that we ourselves can become true and good," he told the crowd, offering the central moral prescription of his four-day appearance here. "This gesture is necessary even if initially our yearning for freedom makes us inclined to resist it." (Pope Benedict XVI)
It is therefore imperative that we, as catechists to the youth of today, continue to foster self-esteem, self-awareness, and to help the children to concentrate on the Divinity within themselves, and in others; and to realize that God speaks freely and frequently to each of them. To continue to teach the youth in our care that they are “Wonderfully and beautifully created in the image and likeness of God”, that God has a special role for each of them (and no two are alike), that they need the fullness of their faith and to live that faith in “full and active participation” to fulfill the primal and spiritual need to connect to the divine and others in the homocentric Church and to enhance the sacramentality of life for all.
Blog 5
An excerpt from Dahm’s book, Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community, was the required reading for this unit. In it, Dahm illustrated how St. Pius V Parish has used cultural qualities of the Hispanic community and infused them into their traditional liturgies and ministry. Dahm believes it is fruitful to encourage those of the Hispanic culture to keep their rich and vibrant traditions and try and incorporate them into the American mainstream, without loosing the original meaning and expression of their forefathers. There is much to be said for keeping their cultural identity within the Catholic Church.
Lumen Gentium reinforces this cultural acceptance and inclusive nature of the Church “All of us, however, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbors, and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God” (LG, 49). Dahm’s assertion that the inculturation of Hispanics into the Church enriches and strengthens our collective faith… is valid. It is only through embracing one another’s cultures and differences that we truly live as Christ commanded: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35). That includes loving and accepting the diverse traditions of those who share our faith.
Tradition-awareness can impact the holiness of the Church and the disciple of believers because if we are to reduce our traditions to the least common denominator we have in fact reduced our faith, and as a direct result… the holiness of the Church. Rituals Symbols and Sacraments are essential dimensions of deeper consciousness, but they too are not the sum of their parts… they should be viewed in a universal sacramentality. We embrace all (inter-generationally, inter-racially, and in a non-gender specific way) when we embrace the message of Christ that each of us is a Child of God and worthy of respect and human dignity. It is the nuances of disparity that allow us to exist as ONE church.
An excerpt from Dahm’s book, Parish Ministry in a Hispanic Community, was the required reading for this unit. In it, Dahm illustrated how St. Pius V Parish has used cultural qualities of the Hispanic community and infused them into their traditional liturgies and ministry. Dahm believes it is fruitful to encourage those of the Hispanic culture to keep their rich and vibrant traditions and try and incorporate them into the American mainstream, without loosing the original meaning and expression of their forefathers. There is much to be said for keeping their cultural identity within the Catholic Church.
Lumen Gentium reinforces this cultural acceptance and inclusive nature of the Church “All of us, however, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbors, and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God” (LG, 49). Dahm’s assertion that the inculturation of Hispanics into the Church enriches and strengthens our collective faith… is valid. It is only through embracing one another’s cultures and differences that we truly live as Christ commanded: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35). That includes loving and accepting the diverse traditions of those who share our faith.
Tradition-awareness can impact the holiness of the Church and the disciple of believers because if we are to reduce our traditions to the least common denominator we have in fact reduced our faith, and as a direct result… the holiness of the Church. Rituals Symbols and Sacraments are essential dimensions of deeper consciousness, but they too are not the sum of their parts… they should be viewed in a universal sacramentality. We embrace all (inter-generationally, inter-racially, and in a non-gender specific way) when we embrace the message of Christ that each of us is a Child of God and worthy of respect and human dignity. It is the nuances of disparity that allow us to exist as ONE church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
