Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home

by Traci Smith

A new and expanded version of Seamless Faith , now with more than a dozen new spiritual practices and additional resources for parents, kids, grandparents, and communities that care about families!

Add family faith moments to your daily routine with little or no prep, and share meaningful spiritual experiences with your children! Traci Smith, a pastor and mother of three, offers ways to discover and develop new spiritual practices as a family, whether you're a new seeker or a lifelong follower. Faithful Families is brimming with easy, do-it-yourself ideas for transforming your family's everyday moments into sacred moments!

Faithful Families helps connect faith to your family's everyday life; add family faith moments into your daily routine; learn new spiritual practices alongside your children; teach your children to appreciate religious diversity with time-tested non-Christian and Christian spiritual practices; respond to life's everyday challenges and opportunities with meaningful practices

Faithful Families is the perfect gift for Parents, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles; Baptisms; Baby Showers; New Families; Christian educators and those they serve; Preschool Classes; and Godparents

Faithful Families is part of The Young Clergy Women Project

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Family, Spirituality, Christian

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2017

Reviews

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing that everybody worships something and that all you have to do is look at how they spend their time and conversation to see what that thing is / things are, I become increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of my kids growing up thinking that spiritual life consists of mainly praying to a laptop all day and doing the occasional service project. I don't necessarily want to toss them deep into the throes of a highly-structured religious life, but my fondest wish for them isn't to see them sink into the type of navel-gazing malaise that _sometimes_ crops up in the absence of any kind of structure whatsoever. As a youth, I spent a lot of time in bible studies and learning-by-doing things like spiritual discipline, how to examine a text, and how to notice things and question things. What I'm hoping to do is provide them with a framework for doing that too, whatever that might end up looking like for them. And for the love of all that's holy, I want them to understand that many people in the world don't have the resources and autonomy that they do, and to be cognizant of that as they orient themselves to life.

How fitting that I was already tearing up after getting through just the foreword of this book ("After years of doubt and deconstruction, we'd made peace with the meandering nature of our own faith journeys, but raising our little boy to do the same seemed daunting. We had no models for that, no roadmap."), and seeing that it was written by Rachel Held Evans. Even from beyond the grave, she's there just being real.

Anyway, as a family that cares about continuing a healthy framework for faith in our house but isn't really sure how to go about doing it, this book seems tailor-made for us. It's chock full of ideas for little questions and rituals to enrich the things you already do. Most of them seem like very gentle ways to introduce the idea of intentionality, and to set an example of stopping and examining things sometimes, appreciating or grieving in a moment, etc., before moving on. Again, to quote the foreword, it "illuminates the sacred in the everyday."

I've bookmarked some ideas that look like things we could do as a family (the butterfly chrysalis thing, anyone?), and I'm excited to try them. Though initially I thought of this as a book I was reading for "parenting purposes," admittedly now I realize I'm probably the person in this house who could most benefit from some structured stopping-to-enjoy-and-examine moments in my day. Touché, Traci Smith. Touché.

[Ansley Gerhard-Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before anyone gets too excited, Peter and I aren’t having kids annnytime soon and me reading this book is not a indication of babies approaching 😂. I picked this up on a whim and thought it was a book about progressive parenting instead of what it actually was, a list of how to create intentional moments with kids. There were points that I thought were a bit overboard, but there were also some really good ideas. Some were so good that I can apply them to my life now. I think it’d be really good for a children’s pastor or the like.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for families with children who wish to establish faith traditions and conversations in their home. The activities are interesting, creative, and very doable.

[Malin Friess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very Presbyterian and seeks to create sacred moments at home with families according to the church calendar, according to great moments (graduations), and sad moments as well (a pet dies).

At times I was a bit skeptically sarcastic reading this book imagining flying a red kite on Pentecost Sunday in the wind to represent the holy spirit ( I couldn't see my kids..or really myself catching the spiritual vision)...or reading a liturgy and planting a cross in the back-yard when another of Meredith's Bunnies dies (I really can't hold a straight face..you were a good bunny..You hopped so high..I'm glad I do not have to clean out your cage anymore").

But Pastor Traci Smith (if I could focus and be intentional) has some good ideas regarding photo prayers (take out an album with kids and pray for relatives), matchbox prayers (hide a prayer in a matchbox), prayer beads, or smart phone prayers (pray for the last 5 people you texted, called, took a picture of, or a current event, or social media).

3 stars. Reminds me of our Presbyterian Church and pastors in Akron, Ohio.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a refreshing way to infuse Christian faith into small, everyday moments—especially useful and comforting when church as we’ve known it is seeming less like a place of refuge and more like a political circus.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This manual of ideas provides the inspiration and instructions for making new family memories and traditions. Pastor Traci Smith weaves together one-time ideas with more regular ones (weekly, monthly, seasonal), complete with target ages, prayers, and full explanations. As she emphasizes in her introduction, families should view the plethora of options not as overwhelming but as freeing, like a buffet from which to select what makes most sense for a particular family in their current season of life. She encourages readers to adapt as they see fit, focusing on togetherness and an orientaiton towards God rather than perfect implementation of an idea. It's worth noting that there are activities included for times of both joy and sorrow. I find many of the prayers particularly helpful, as a way of giving me the phrasing to express difficulty things. Smith writes that we shouldn't be afraid of kids asking questions about God that we can't answer; at those times, we can point to the mystery of faith.

Out of many favorite ideas, the one that has stuck the most for my family is that of a sacred meal (akin to a Shabbat meal). The book inspired me to pull out a grandmother's crisp white tablecloth, a big candle, and our fancy plates weekly. I hope this makes our kids feel special (and as they are young, I fully expect stains and shards of porcelain to result at some point). It has been a tradition to plan for and look forward to.

I also highly recommend the companion book, Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas: 100 Ways to Make the Season Sacred.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a list of ideas about how to intentionally imbue spirituality into the daily rhythms of family life. It is a beautiful concept with lots of amazing ideas and something I am very eager and excited to include in my household.

Growing up evangelical, I was encouraged to read scripture and do devotions and pray but I did often wonder if there was more our family could do together. As a parent now, I desire the same thing but I also know I cannot make this another expectation on me or it will feel overwhelming.

I have begun to seek out, understand, and even delight in the spiritual rhythm of some liturgy practices lately and see how thinking of spirituality this way is incredibly helpful to lean into the Spirit at all times instead of simply retreating to find God during certain times. This book will help families adopt new practices, traditions, and ceremonies that will allow this to be true for everyone in the home.

The spiritual ideas listed are not overly religious and considers the age and stage of children in your house.

I read through all the ideas and look forward to adding them into our daily rhythms.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a lot different than I was expecting. I thought it would be about the value and overall philosophy of participating in spiritual practices as a family, but it’s actually a very specific list of various traditions, ceremonies, and spiritual practices - like a manual with scripts, appropriate age ranges, and supplies. Because of this, it wasn’t necessarily a fun read, but I did find some of it valuable. There were a handful of really wonderful spiritual “moments” I bookmarked (like saying a blessing over your Christmas tree, trying out different prayer postures with young children, sharing a weekly sacred meal) and definitely want to try with my family. However, there were quite a few that were very activity oriented and not necessarily something I see myself ever doing - things that would feel contrived to me. This might be a better book to revisit later, as my kids are very young and below the age range of many of her suggestions. Overall, I’m glad I read it & I will most likely reference it later... but it wasn’t a life-changer.

[Julie Hoplamazian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it was first published as "Seamless Faith" and am delighted that it has a second edition with even more in it. I've used this book a lot in my ministry - I'm a pastor who works with parents and young families a LOT. Kids have a lot of questions about faith, and they need a lot of hands-on, tactile things (kids love crafts!) to help teach them. For the parent or pastor wanting to help make faith alive at home, this book does not disappoint. The range of everyday life events - from a pet dying, to a graduation, to the way we can pray for our loved ones - find expression in little moments you can create at home that invite God into the picture. It's a steady presence on my bookshelf and at the top of my list of resources to recommend to parents wanting to know how they can have a faithful family beyond going to church on Sunday morning.

[Sarah Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a wide variety of ideas for the whole family to engage with God and spiritual practices. It is written from a Presbyterian, liturgical perspective and will resonate with families in that church tradition. If that is not the tradition you are familiar with then this book will help open you up to many creative, liturgical practices. This is a good resource for things to try with your family and see what works for your unique family. I like that it is something you can read through and just pick what you would like to try and there are many ways to adapt the different idea to fit your family and style.

[RaeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so refreshing! It is completely hands-on, with so many fantastic ideas to implement into your daily practices. I am on a mission to build a family legacy based on intentional living. This offered me some fresh ideas that I am so excited to add into our intentional plan. It is beautifully faith based, without reeking of anything stuffy and religious. So many of the practices revolve around building character, increasing communication, and honoring others. What an encouragement I think this would be for so many parents. This would make a beautiful gift for parents-to-be!!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is much to like about this book--so many ideas, and lots I will be adapting--
Not sure that the activities for older kids resonate as much.

The best thing about this book is the intentionality and grains for parents and church professionals to start thinking about and build on in ways that fit their contexts.

You will never be able to create a 'one size fits all' book for families, but taking the kernel of an idea and making it your own is the best benefit of owning this book.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book in hopes of doing a better job as my children’s Faith Formation homeschool teacher. I like it for so many reasons: it’s grounded in Christian faith and can be easily adapted for Catholic, Protestant, etc. The ideas are also very easy to implement and are written as a lesson plan complete with supply list. I already have a few ideas I’d like to do this year and will be referencing back as certain holidays get nearer.

[Linda Hagedorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has compiled a real treasure of ideas helpful to young families making traditions of faith. As a grandmother I was drawn to several I would have loved to incorporate into my family's experiences- Grace meals, advent activities, baptism celebrations and markings. I highly recommend this book!

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was very little writing in the introduction which surprised me. The entire book consists of outlines of activities to do with your children. Lots of interesting and thorough ideas with suggested variations, age recommendations, and time commitment. I will need to go back through and bookmark ones to try with my kids -- a shame there is no index organized by age.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for some things to do at home with my grade school-aged children, but the ideas here are hit or miss, involving lots of paper crafts and not always much depth, and sometimes the spiritual lesson tied to a project seemed more of a side note. Kids who are older than early elementary school may not be into these projects as much.

[Amanda Osenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! This would be excellent for those looking to incorporate more faith practices into their family. It would also be great for those switching to a more liturgical background and looking to bring more liturgy into the home. Includes activities and ideas for all ages. We'll be using many of these ideas in our family.

[Calsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great great starting point of ideas for how to bring rhythms of faith into our family. A lot won’t apply until my children are older but it gave me some ideas. I much preferred her book of simple prayers for families.

[Carmen Kinniburgh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical with so unique ideas for guiding families into faith-oriented practices. I really appreciated the child-friendly adaptations of familiar traditional contemplative practices like Lectio divina and the examen.

[Rebecca Maurer]

This is the kind of book I won't finish all in one go, because it doesn't all apply to me yet. But I'm glad I have it to reach for when my kids are a bit older. And I was especially thankful for this resource when it didn't feel safe to go to church because of pandemic.

[Susannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book.
Read my full review here-
http://teaandtheology.com/book-review...

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

lots to great ideas for practicing faith in your home, useful for families with children of all ages.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excited to try some of these.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has some wonderful ideas. I will revisit it when my kids are a bit older.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas in here for creating faith traditions with your kids

[Gerrit Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: didn't read the entire book, but sections that Erin had specifically tagged as ones she enjoyed.

[Arianne Braithwaite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this book - within my family and for our congregation.

[Beth Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the ideas in this book. Symbolism, tradition, etc. I expected it to be more of a reading book and not just an idea book. After I read the first few ideas, it was repetitive.

[Rebecca Caswell-Speight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully practical ways to practice faith as a family unit.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many great ideas for families - I’ll be buying this one.