Publisher offers options for maintaining Christian formation during pandemic
HARRISONBURG, Virginia — Shine is helping congregations provide Christian formation while maintaining social distancing. With most churches either relying on parents to teach their own children, or hosting online Sunday School classes, Shine is stepping in to provide downloadable options to assist struggling leaders through the changing landscape. Shine is offering useful resources to accommodate multiple formats to launch alongside the new Fall curriculum.
“It may be some time before we know what worship and faith formation will look like in the future,” said Joan Daggett, Shine project director. “We have curriculum pieces that are well suited for such a time as this. What we have to do is show churches how to use them.”
Beginning June 19, Shine will debut two new digital resources: Shine at Home and Shine Connect. These digital resources are being offered to help congregations offer faith formation in online and at home settings.
Shine at Home is a new, simple option for families to do at home if congregations are not resuming regular Sunday school this fall. Shine at Homeincludes weekly mini-sessions, complete with a prayer practice, ideas for sharing the Bible story, questions and conversation prompts, media suggestions, and four activities that help kids and families explore the Bible story. Use with Shine’s storytelling, music, and student resources for a fun learning experience at home.
Shine at Home is now available for preorder and will be released August 1 as a downloadable PDF to email to all the families in the purchasing congregation. The retail price is $20.99 USD.
Shine Connect is a new free resource for those faith formation teachers leading children through online Sunday school sessions. Shine Connect materials are included for free with the purchase of any Shine teacher’s guide starting with Fall 2020 materials. Shine Connect for Early Childhood includes a two-page outline and tips for creating fun, online sessions for preschoolers using the activities in the teacher’s guide and storytelling pictures in the Resource Pack. A more robust guide with weekly online session plans for Elementary children accompanies the Primary, Older Elementary, and Multiage teacher’s guides. Shine Connect for Junior Youth provides a simple framework and tips for facilitating discussion around the Bible story and connecting via the at-home devotional, Quest. These free materials will become available when the fall curriculum ships on July 1, 2020.
“Shine staff continues to monitor the needs of churches and welcomes feedback and suggestions as we move forward,” Daggett says. “Our goal is to help churches keep connections strong with their children, youth, and families during these challenging times.”
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