In Difficult Times: Resources, Prayers, and Help For Families
In our current political and social climate, we are faced with what seems like an unending parade of tragedies, disasters and hate-fueled traumas. As Church we are called to respond. And our children, who are part of the Church, are encouraged to have a place in these challenging conversations. Engaging their questions and supporting their desire to respond in age-appropriate ways teaches them how to walk in the world as the Body of Christ.
If you find that you or a member of your family requires pastoral assistance, please contact our office.
Resources and information for parents, teens, and families:
- Talking to Kids About Current Events, from On Our Sleeves
- Center for Parent & Teen Communication, from CHOP
- Worried about your teenager's mental health?
- Resources for after a tragedy or disaster from FORMA, a ministry of The Episcopal Church
- How To Talk With Kids About Terrible Things, from NPR
- Building Resiliency: Helping Children Learn to Weather Tough Times, from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
- Helping Kids When They Worry, from KidsHealth (Nemours Children's Hospital)
- Death and Grief (for Teens), from KidsHealth (Nemours Children's Hospital)
- Talking to Parents About Depression (for teens), from KidsHealth (Nemours Children's Hospital)
- Gun Violence Resources from the Society of Pediatric Nurses
- "Gun violence is a citywide emergency", an opinion piece from The Philadelphia Inquirer
- Bishops Against Gun Violence, a ministry of over 100 Episcopal Bishops
- How to talk to children about gun violence, from The Boston Globe
- May 25 LIFT at Home Special Edition: Responding to Gun Violence
Prayers for troubled times
Prayer is one way we can help ourselves and our loved ones navigate times of tragedy. Prayer is a way of communicating with God and allowing God to hear our concerns and joys. Below are some prayers and resources for children and families that will facilitate conversation with God and with one another:
The Breath Prayer, an ancient spiritual practice, is something we can do to re-center ourselves and invite the Holy One into our lives. Because God is closer to us than our own breath, the Breath Prayer is a loving reminder that God does not abandon us. For more information, follow this link: Breath Prayer: An Ancient Spiritual Practice Connected with Science.
A Prayer for People Harmed by Gun Violence
Wisdom is better than weapons of war. - Ecclesiastes 9:18
Loving Lord, Source of all healing, you weep when love gives way to hatred, and our souls, once again, weep for those harmed by gun violence; where weapons replace prayers, where peace is overcome with anger, may our hearts grow bold, and may our communities be transformed by our actions and our voices, working through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen. (from Common Prayer for Children and Families)
A Prayer for the Nation
God of all people and nations, help us to work together for peace and harmony. Help the leaders of our country remember that we are all created in your image, and that in working together we can accomplish so much more. For it is in the combining of our efforts for the good of all humanity that we can all be truly free. Amen. (from Call On Me: A Prayer Book for Young People)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27)
Minister for Children, Youth, & Families 215 247 8716 Anne Alexis Harra (she/her) was born and raised in Wilmington, DE. She and her beloved partner, Cole (he/him) currently live in Manayunk. Anne Alexis graduated from Washington College in May 2019 with a B.A. in English and a minor in Philosophy. Anne Alexis has served on the Diocesan Council in the Episcopal Church in Delaware, as well as the Racial Justice & Reconciliation Commission, and the Diocesan Assessment Committee. Since moving to Philadelphia in January 2021, she has served on the DioPA Youth Leaders Team and the DioPA Dismantling Racism for Youth Leaders Team. She is passionate about children's spirituality and using education as a force for good in their spiritual lives. Beginning with the waters of baptism, Anne Alexis has devoted her life to serving God in the Episcopal Church. Raised on Godly Play in Sunday school and moving into a tight-knit youth group, she is aware of the positive impact that the Church’s presence can have in the life of a young person. She is passionate about encouraging children and youth to explore their faith on a personal level while also committing to a community-centered effort to enact change for the greater good. Anne Alexis is passionate about racial justice and healing, as well as advocating for the rights of children in the context of the Christian faith. She hopes for a church where all of God's beloved are welcomed, heard, and included. She seeks and envisions a church where every member feels the true love of God in Christ. Anne Alexis is deeply aware of the profound impact of Jesus' unyielding love for all, including the most tender and vulnerable in our society: children. Hopeful for a day when all marginalized peoples are treated with equity, she continues "to seek and serve Christ in all persons." The Baptismal Covenant and Sacrament of Eucharist guide her ministry. Anne Alexis’ father owns and is president of a local funeral home in Wilmington. Some of her earliest childhood memories include observing him engage with bereaved families in a way that can only be described as ministerial. Her mother is a hospice nurse who guides her patients and families through a dignified palliative care stage. Anne Alexis’ parents have left a huge impression on her heart. A ministerial goal she has at St. Martin’s is exploring the often taboo topics of dying and death in the hopeful context of the gospels. In her free time, she enjoys weightlifting, reading, spending time with her family (notably her godson, Will), and watching new shows with her beloved cats by her side. She and Cole enjoy trying eclectic restaurants in their neighborhood -- observing COVID restrictions, of course!Anne Alexis Harra
