Becoming Holy Rascals: Blending The Sacred With Playful Imagination
By Diana Muniz
Play & Centering Children Theologically
Adults fail to instruct children if we do not put them in the center theologically. Children should not be reduced to the simple object of pedagogically well-structured lessons. The mystery of the very nature of the child must be the fertile soil from where our theology arises, the rest, all the educational interventions follow when we begin to delve into what the nature of the child is and why it was so revered by Jesus when he summoned the children to come to him (Matthew 19:14). More importantly in this passage, Jesus warns us that unless we are like children, we cannot enter the Kingdom.
What is the mystery that lies within the heart of a child? Children PLAY. Children have wild imaginations; their brain waves are going in patterns that are similar to monks in deep meditation which means they are mini mystics beholding the world with wonder, tenderness and joy. A “holy rascal” like this hardly needs ZOOM to get into the Kingdom--they are already IN, asking us to go out and play and wondering why you and I are so bound to seeking the kingdom in devices.
I challenge us to follow the cosmic catechism of play, come home to our own inner child and begin to richly play with children. There is a mystery in that play that deserves to be explored. We owe that reminder to the Pandemic Prankster Priest whose image will remain with all the children he pastorally led to become “Holy Rascals” and future Spiritual Revolutionaries.
Three Spiritual Practices With Children
Three things to do with children as spiritual practices including wonder, imagination and play (integrate biblical principles and ideas you want to teach):
Nature: Seek out natural environments like arboretums, botanical gardens, organic farms and spaces where children can interact with nature and animals. Teaching children that *WE ARE NATURE* rather than we “look at” nature is very important.
Creativity: Have children draw the Corona Virus and the Pandemic as if it was “visible” and they are engaging with the virus, asking questions, confronting it, etc. (they can do this as an illustration or make their own comic). They can act out the dialogue and make a play around their visualization.
Connection: Speak to children about how the Corona Virus has shown us we are all connected. Go through international news and look at pictures from the Quarantine around the world (people in Italy sing from their balconies, people in Colombia are dancing salsa from their balconies too and police are leading the lessons). Emphasize how this is NOT happening “over there” but to people “Here” and “Everywhere”.
Diana Muniz has worked as an Arts Educator and Art Teacher for over 20 years teaching in public and private Montessori schools, museums, galleries and nonprofits. She worked with incarcerated youth as an art teacher for the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center through an award-winning social justice project named is Children’s Prison Arts. She is currently a chaplain at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston, Texas and is interested in the intersection of Art, Creativity and Spirituality.
By Diana Muniz
Play & Centering Children Theologically
Adults fail to instruct children if we do not put them in the center theologically. Children should not be reduced to the simple object of pedagogically well-structured lessons. The mystery of the very nature of the child must be the fertile soil from where our theology arises, the rest, all the educational interventions follow when we begin to delve into what the nature of the child is and why it was so revered by Jesus when he summoned the children to come to him (Matthew 19:14). More importantly in this passage, Jesus warns us that unless we are like children, we cannot enter the Kingdom.
What is the mystery that lies within the heart of a child? Children PLAY. Children have wild imaginations; their brain waves are going in patterns that are similar to monks in deep meditation which means they are mini mystics beholding the world with wonder, tenderness and joy. A “holy rascal” like this hardly needs ZOOM to get into the Kingdom--they are already IN, asking us to go out and play and wondering why you and I are so bound to seeking the kingdom in devices.
I challenge us to follow the cosmic catechism of play, come home to our own inner child and begin to richly play with children. There is a mystery in that play that deserves to be explored. We owe that reminder to the Pandemic Prankster Priest whose image will remain with all the children he pastorally led to become “Holy Rascals” and future Spiritual Revolutionaries.
Three Spiritual Practices With Children
Three things to do with children as spiritual practices including wonder, imagination and play (integrate biblical principles and ideas you want to teach):
Nature: Seek out natural environments like arboretums, botanical gardens, organic farms and spaces where children can interact with nature and animals. Teaching children that *WE ARE NATURE* rather than we “look at” nature is very important.
Creativity: Have children draw the Corona Virus and the Pandemic as if it was “visible” and they are engaging with the virus, asking questions, confronting it, etc. (they can do this as an illustration or make their own comic). They can act out the dialogue and make a play around their visualization.
Connection: Speak to children about how the Corona Virus has shown us we are all connected. Go through international news and look at pictures from the Quarantine around the world (people in Italy sing from their balconies, people in Colombia are dancing salsa from their balconies too and police are leading the lessons). Emphasize how this is NOT happening “over there” but to people “Here” and “Everywhere”.
Diana Muniz has worked as an Arts Educator and Art Teacher for over 20 years teaching in public and private Montessori schools, museums, galleries and nonprofits. She worked with incarcerated youth as an art teacher for the Harris County Juvenile Detention Center through an award-winning social justice project named is Children’s Prison Arts. She is currently a chaplain at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston, Texas and is interested in the intersection of Art, Creativity and Spirituality.
Caroline Conquers her Corona Fears - a coloring book
www.neworleansbar.org/uploads/files/CarolineConquersherCoronoaFears31820.pdf
www.neworleansbar.org/uploads/files/CarolineConquersherCoronoaFears31820.pdf
Talking about coronavirus with children and youth
KidsHealth: Coronavirus - How to talk to your child
KidsHealth: Coronavirus - How to talk to your child
A Peaceful Night: Bedtime - a blog by Wendy Claire Barre
Tips and ideas for families for a peaceful bedtimes during anxious times.
wendyclairebarrie.com/2020/03/21/a-peaceful-night-bedtime/
Tips and ideas for families for a peaceful bedtimes during anxious times.
wendyclairebarrie.com/2020/03/21/a-peaceful-night-bedtime/
Time Capsule Booklet for Children
Click below to download.
Click below to download.
| stmkidbooklet.pdf |
Time Capsule Booklet for Youth
Click below to download.
Click below to download.
| stm_booklet_for_youth.pdf |
rac·ism
/ˈrāˌsizəm/
noun
/ˈrāˌsizəm/
noun
- prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized.
- Racism is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person’s social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics.
- Racial separatism is the belief, most of the time based on racism, that different races should remain segregated and apart from one another.
(an excerpt from) The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God's help.
Celebrant Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God's help.
Book of Common Prayer, p. 305
Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God's help.
Celebrant Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God's help.
Book of Common Prayer, p. 305
Teaching Children to Love and Celebrate Diversity
America truly is a melting pot of many cultures, and our diversity is what makes us unique, strong and vibrant. No matter what race people are or what religion or cultural beliefs they profess, in the end, we are all Americans.
Unfortunately, when misunderstandings or suspicion cause people to fear others who they consider to be “different," it leads to the kind of tension and friction we see happening across our country today.
As parents, it's our obligation and responsibility to instill in our children a healthy attitude of acceptance and tolerance for everyone.
America truly is a melting pot of many cultures, and our diversity is what makes us unique, strong and vibrant. No matter what race people are or what religion or cultural beliefs they profess, in the end, we are all Americans.
Unfortunately, when misunderstandings or suspicion cause people to fear others who they consider to be “different," it leads to the kind of tension and friction we see happening across our country today.
As parents, it's our obligation and responsibility to instill in our children a healthy attitude of acceptance and tolerance for everyone.
Parents Guide to Black Lives Matter
Click below to download the booklet.
Click below to download the booklet.
| parents_guide_to_black_lives_matter.pdf |
Black Lives Matter: A Reading List for Children & Families
https://skokielibrary.info/lists/520/black-lives-matter-a-reading-list-for-children-families/?fbclid=IwAR0lhOTr3DQwuY6-j0Niqpa3wafAGo1IvHKQVsFaW02S0kSM_TbOYdHx82A
https://skokielibrary.info/lists/520/black-lives-matter-a-reading-list-for-children-families/?fbclid=IwAR0lhOTr3DQwuY6-j0Niqpa3wafAGo1IvHKQVsFaW02S0kSM_TbOYdHx82A
Something Happened in Our Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injusticewww.amazon.com/Something-Happened-Our-Town-Injustice/dp/1433828545/ref=sr_1_2?crid=12FP7L81JHOCD&dchild=1&keywords=something+happened+in+our+town+book&qid=1593444176&sprefix=something%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-2
Here are some free e-books about race and inclusion to start a conversation about systemic racism with your child
www.worldreader.org/blog/essential-storybooks-on-race-inclusivity-for-your-child/?keyword=book%20race%20child&gclid=CjwKCAjw26H3BRB2EiwAy32zhcoXqu6eoKLlYDqacVBI5YdDK7Uc6_qo4AbcG6AUk_fWF-VeurNejRoCjFwQAvD_BwE
www.worldreader.org/blog/essential-storybooks-on-race-inclusivity-for-your-child/?keyword=book%20race%20child&gclid=CjwKCAjw26H3BRB2EiwAy32zhcoXqu6eoKLlYDqacVBI5YdDK7Uc6_qo4AbcG6AUk_fWF-VeurNejRoCjFwQAvD_BwE
The Episcopal Church offers resources regarding racial reconciliation. Included is Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's message on the church’s work for racial healing
Click below to go to their website.
episcopalchurch.org/racial-reconciliation
Click below to go to their website.
episcopalchurch.org/racial-reconciliation
What Is COVID-19?
A coronavirus is a kind of common virus that causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or upper throat. Most coronaviruses aren't dangerous.
In early 2020, after a December 2019 outbreak in China, the World Health Organization identified SARS-CoV-2 as a new type of coronavirus. The outbreak quickly spread around the world.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can trigger what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs).
A coronavirus is a kind of common virus that causes an infection in your nose, sinuses, or upper throat. Most coronaviruses aren't dangerous.
In early 2020, after a December 2019 outbreak in China, the World Health Organization identified SARS-CoV-2 as a new type of coronavirus. The outbreak quickly spread around the world.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can trigger what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs).