Education

Muhammad Ali Center, Flyaway Books co-host ‘Believing in a Better World’ with creators of new picture book

The Muhammad Ali Center and Flyaway Books will co-host “Believing in a Better World: Talking with Children about Race and Racial Violence” from 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, September 23. The free, virtual event will celebrate the release of “For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World,” a timely picture book by author Michael W. Waters and illustrator Keisha Morris that tells the story of a boy named Jeremiah and his family who discover hopeful forms of activism and advocacy in response to racism and gun violence in their community. The picture book includes a discussion and activity guide (available here) created by the Muhammad Ali Center that adults can use with children to further discuss racism, gun violence and social change.    

Middlers will engage in weeklong confirmation class at Montreat

Although they won’t actually “be confirmed” during the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) 2021 Worship and Music Conference, a small group of middlers will make history by being part of the first denomination-wide confirmation class at Montreat.

PC(USA) congregations urged to support public schools

The Educate a Child, Transform the World initiative is encouraging congregations to find ways to support public education as school districts wrestle with how to best serve students during the global pandemic.

Menaul School is fully functional during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the entire world to rethink the way we conduct some of our most routine practices. Each year at this time schools across the nation would be welcoming their students and staff for another year of learning.

Exploring the stories of the women of the Old Testament

For too long the women of the Bible have been depicted in one-dimensional terms. On one side are saints, such as Mary, while on the other are “bad girls,” such as Eve and Jezebel. Just as often, the female characters of the Bible are simply ignored.

Pennsylvania’s Nottingham Presbyterian Church hosts 11th annual Back-to-School Fair

The last Saturday before school starts has come to be known as Back-to-School Fair day for Nottingham Presbyterian Church in Nottingham, Pennsylvania. This year the tradition continues with the 11th annual event set to provide 850 to 900 elementary through high school students in the Greater Oxford Area with grade-specific essentials, allowing financially disadvantaged students to begin the year on an even playing field with their peers.

Savannah students on the RISE

Thanks to the Rev. John Ruehl and a handful of other faith leaders in Savannah, Georgia, about 150 students in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System are beginning virtual learning for the 2020-21 school year on Wednesday in person in a place they might know well — their local church.

Flyaway Books expands board book collection

Flyaway Books, the sister imprint of Westminster John Knox Press, is expanding its religious offerings for young children with the release of its newest board book, “Dedication Promises,” by Carol A. Wehrheim and illustrator Roz Fulcher.

‘A Very Big Problem’ explores the expansiveness of God’s love

“A Very Big Problem,” a brand-new picture book by co-authors Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso and illustrator Annie Bowler, is now available. It’s been published by Flyaway Books, an imprint affiliated with Westminster John Knox Press.

Building bridges instead of walls in Charlotte, North Carolina

Early this year, the dean of Belk Chapel at Queens University of Charlotte, Dr. Suzanne Watts Henderson, was in Chicago visiting with Eboo Patel. The founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) mentioned to her that he was interested in working with Queens to build a statewide and regional network to do interfaith work in the Carolinas.