I know I’m not the only parent who gets asked a few dozen times, “When is Feast of Peace?” or “When’s Communion?” I made this visual schedule of the Liturgy for my child who has trouble with sensory processing and transitions. I hope this helps lots of other parents, too! This is all part of my effort to make the Orthodox Christian faith more accessible to children and families with special needs. My friend Charlotte Riggle (author of Catherine’s Pascha) and I are hard at work planning a book on the subject. Grab these schedule pages, share with friends, and if you will, comment to let me know which issues you’d like addressed in our book. What do you love about the faith that…
writing, autism, & theology as a mother of joy
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Yes, You’re Probably Racist: How White People Are Born Into Racism and How to Fight It
Summer Kinard
Posted on November 12, 2016
Sit back for a minute, because you haven’t heard what I’m about to say before. Ever wonder why it seems natural to see race, but not to see racism? Look, none of us chooses the family we’re born into. If you’re white, and probably even if you’re not, you were born into a ready made pattern of racism. I’m not judging you, but I am going to bear witness to you. I’m going to tell you straight up that learning this will change your world if you let it. Racism is hard to see because it acts like a family dynamic. Whaaaaat are you talking about? Ok. Big words. But stay with me. Most families go through times when they’re getting along pretty…
First, let me give you a statistical analysis of my children. Ages: 8,6,2.5,2.5,1.5 Special Needs: ADHD, dyslexia, autism, sensory processing 3 boys, 2 girls Why do those things matter? Well, it’s rare for us to find a good bedtime story that will suit every child in the family. That’s why Goodnight Jesus is so welcome. The story follows the baby main character as he or she kisses the icons, Cross, Bible, and family goodnight. If that sounds really sweet, it is. Everyone in the family likes this book. Especially the toddlers. See the smudges on the pages in the photo? Baby kisses. There was one major dilemma we encountered in reading this book, though. Should we kiss the book or the actual icons in…
This morning I gathered the laundry from the main floor of the house and carried it upstairs. The towels were stiff with tears and spilled milk. Tiny britches caked in mud and fancy bloomers stained blue with ink bounced on top of the pile. I love those little bloomers. They were the final step in dressing my daughters in church dresses. “Restore me to my original beauty,” I whispered. I studied theology in universities for nine years, and the upshot is that I preach to my laundry.
Tagged: daily life, quotidian mysteries, sacramental life, theology, theosis
