https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Fri, 10 May 2024 23:04:19 +0000 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:30:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-dwells-childrens-resources-are Probably the most misunderstood element of the Dwell curriculum’s age-graded materials is its children’s resources. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/why-dwells-childrens-resources-are Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:30:15 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/5-ways-families-can-explore-waiting-and-hope-advent-season In my first Advent season working in children’s ministry, I brought new meaning to the word busy. Not wanting to miss a single memory with my kids, who were 1 and 3, I said yes to everything, desperate to treasure the years when my kids were little. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/5-ways-families-can-explore-waiting-and-hope-advent-season Mon, 21 Nov 2022 13:58:14 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/3-things-i-learned-weaving-gratitude-sabbath-rest About this time last year I realized I was burnt out and not experiencing the rest I needed. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/3-things-i-learned-weaving-gratitude-sabbath-rest Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:53:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/starting-small-creating-consistent-faith-practices-one-baby Over the years, I tried several times to get back into running, but until recently, was unable to restart what used to be a favorite practice. In the past, I’ve tried to pick up where I left off—trying to put in a five-mile run when I hadn’t run at all in the past year. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/starting-small-creating-consistent-faith-practices-one-baby Tue, 15 Jun 2021 12:33:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/seeking-justice-inch-inch-practical-ways-honor-image-god In day to day life, I experience what I call “extreme empathy,” meaning that at times I feel the pain of others very deeply—almost as if it’s my own. Because of this extreme empathy, often when I look at the world around me, I am overwhelmed by the pain and sorrow that is seemingly everywhere. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/seeking-justice-inch-inch-practical-ways-honor-image-god Sun, 07 Feb 2021 11:58:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-practice-gratitude-transformed-my-familys-weekly A little over a month ago, I realized that I was not feeling refreshed or experiencing rest during my weekly sabbaths. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/how-practice-gratitude-transformed-my-familys-weekly Fri, 30 Oct 2020 15:03:30 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/garden-city-looking-forward-hope Throughout most of my adult life, summer has meant getting my hands dirty in some form of a garden. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/garden-city-looking-forward-hope Tue, 07 Jul 2020 12:04:25 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/freedom-lament-journeying-together-through-pandemic-pain “Everything happens for a reason.” “God’s got great things in store for you.” “God has a plan for your life.” These well-meant phrases were the bane of my existence when my husband endured an extended period of unemployment several years ago. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/freedom-lament-journeying-together-through-pandemic-pain Fri, 01 May 2020 13:47:28 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-digital-during-covid-19 As more communities are being required to shelter in place or observe strict social distancing, your church may be looking for ways to encourage and equip parents to carry on your children’s ministry activities at home.  Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-digital-during-covid-19 Wed, 25 Mar 2020 12:08:44 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/setting-free-image-god-reflections-apce-2020 In a crowded, dimly lit ballroom, I sit and stare into a stranger's eyes without saying a word. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/setting-free-image-god-reflections-apce-2020 Wed, 04 Mar 2020 18:17:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-pentecost When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-pentecost Tue, 18 Feb 2020 13:57:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/help-kids-count-down-easter-simple-paper-chain The most confusing season of the church calendar for my kids has always been Lent. The first year that they were old enough to engage this season, I remember them constantly asking, “Is it Easter now?” And we were still only a week in! Last year, I realized the problem: Lent is long.  Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/help-kids-count-down-easter-simple-paper-chain Tue, 28 Jan 2020 16:31:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-simeon-and-anna When Advent, the twelve days of Christmas, and Epiphany have all passed, but I’m not yet ready to let go of the season, I turn to the story of Simeon and Anna to hold on to the mystery and joy of Jesus’ birth for just a little longer. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-simeon-and-anna Tue, 07 Jan 2020 19:39:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/5-simple-gifts-celebrate-childrens When working in children’s ministry, one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season was deciding what little gifts to put together for my volunteers. I usually focused on finding something simple that I thought they would use, and I loved finding a fun gift tag I could attach. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/5-simple-gifts-celebrate-childrens Wed, 04 Dec 2019 17:23:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-jesus-and-thankful Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/dwell-curriculum/dwell-story-reflections-jesus-and-thankful Thu, 21 Nov 2019 15:03:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/screen-time-limits-arent-just-kids-five-ways-transform-your A second-grade teacher asked her students to name something they wish had never been invented and ended up with a viral Facebook post. Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/screen-time-limits-arent-just-kids-five-ways-transform-your Tue, 29 Oct 2019 15:37:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/supporting-volunteers/set-your-dwell-leaders As a Dwell coordinator, I spent late summer preparing for our September launch, thinking a lot about helping children know their teacher and where to go, and spending time stocking our Dwell spaces with any necessary supplies, but I didn’t always remember to reach out and care f Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/sunday-school/supporting-volunteers/set-your-dwell-leaders Tue, 03 Sep 2019 18:22:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/five-tips-finding-quality-sunday-school-teachers-heart I was leisurely enjoying the summer weather, contemplating going to the pool and planning out our upcoming camping trip, when it happened—the list of required school supplies arrived. School supplies?! Already?! But summer had just begun! Jill Benson https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/faith-nurture/five-tips-finding-quality-sunday-school-teachers-heart Tue, 30 Jul 2019 14:28:59 +0000