These Are Our Bodies, Primary Paricipant Book

Talking Faith & Sexuality at Church & Home

Jenny Beaumont, Abbi Long

Church Publishing

Sep/2017, 80 Pages, Paperback, 5.5 x 8.25

ISBN: 9780898690576

Faith formation resource for children on human sexuality—for church, home, or school.

This sexuality education resource from a mainline/progressive denominational prospective aids the leader, child (participant), and parent in learning about their body and using skills that enable them to embrace and affirm the wholeness of sexuality as part of who they are. Session plans address facts about sexuality, vocabulary, decision making, faith and daily life, respect, growth and change, behavior, responsibility, values, prayer, and intentionality in an age appropriate manner for children and their parents. One Leader Guide covers all ages, with three Parent Books (Preschool: 3- to 5-year olds, Primary: 6- to 8-year-olds, and Intermediate: 9- to 11-year-olds), and two Participant Books (Primary and Intermediate ages). Session topics include: • We are Wonderfully Made • We are Complex • We are Changing • We are Knowledgeable • We are Equipped • We are Called • We are Growing Up

Jenny Beaumont is a Christian educator, trained facilitator, and teacher currently serving at Christ Episcopal Church, Charlotte, North Carolina. She brings more than 15 years of experience in education and ministry to the dynamic conversation that connects the experience of faith with our sexuality through her "He, She, We and God" seminar. She writes curriculums, trains other facilitators, and leads workshops throughout the nation.
Abbi Long is the Director of Ministry at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Previously she served for six years as a youth ministry program leader in the United Methodist Church and taught special education for seven years in both elementary and middle school. Her MaEd from the University of Louisville and MDiv degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary combine as a strong foundation for Christian education and curriculum development.

“This curriculum aims to walk parents and children through a journey of honest self-discovery and sincere respect for others. The Leader’s Guide that accompanies it is a model of accessibility and practicality. This is just what our congregations need!”––The Rt. Rev. Jake Owensby, PhD, DD, 4th Bishop of Western Louisiana

These Are Our Bodies tackles the hard questions from a theological perspective grounded in our Episcopal foundations of scripture, tradition, and reason. This Leader Guide contains everything you need to offer a thoughtful, spiritual, comprehensive program to children and parents. Topics that are often difficult for us to talk about are made easy with clear objectives, supply lists, preparation checklists, suggestions and reminders, and detailed instructions of exactly what to do and say––everything I need to plan programs for parents and children. Prayer, activities, and discussion are well-thought-out and include developmentally-appropriate examples ranging from simple to ‘big and scary’ that I think are so important for us to address as leaders in the church.”––Karen Schlabach, Youth Missioner, The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas

“How great it is to have developmentally appropriate materials for all age levels across the lifespan to engage in learning and discussion about faith and sexuality! I can see These Are Our Bodies being used as resource for programs within the church or in small group settings outside of church. Using correct language while tying it to our faith in God as well as how God made us and loves us, makes learning and talking about these sensitive and tough topics much easier and understandable.”––Kathy Graham, Coordinator of Lifelong Christian Formation, The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama

These Are Our Bodies is now a comprehensive, all-ages curriculum that has the ability to strengthen congregations in meaningful ways. Children (and adults!) learn that our bodies are holy and valuable, and that talking about our bodies and how we use them is an appropriate topic for church. One of the most meaningful parts of this curriculum is its attention to parents as the primary teachers in children's lives. These Are Our Bodies supports and strengthens parents in this role, and fosters greater connection between parent and child and among parents in the program.” ––The Rev. Dr. Helen Svoboda-Barber, Rector, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Durham, North Carolina

“What a gift to families with preschool and elementary-aged children! These Are Our Bodies is grounded in theology, biology, and liturgy, and fills a vital need in the Episcopal Church. This accessible, developmentally-appropriate program equips church leaders and parents to engage in healthy conversations about sexuality.”––Amanda Wischkaemper, Director of Children’s Ministry, St. David's Episcopal Church, Austin, Texas

These Are Our Bodies for Preschool and Elementary is so many wonderful things: experiential, practical, developmentally appropriate, user-friendly, safe, holistic. It teaches children about the good and holy creation of each body, places faith and inherent belovedness at the foundation of sexual awareness, and supports parents in cultivating a healthy ongoing conversation with their growing and changing children. What an important resource for the formation of our youngest people!”––Jana Sundin, LMSW, Canon for Children's Ministries, The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

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