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BOOK REVIEWS
A Review of Breathe:
A Child’s Guide to Ascension
presbyterian.ca
SUMMER 2021
PRESBYTERIAN
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By Tori Smit, Regional Minister for Faith Formation for the Synod of Central, Northeastern Ontario and Bermuda. Originally published on the Synod website April 7, 2021
Breathe: A Child’s Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time
Written by Laura Alary Paraclete Press, 2021
Have you been able to find a minute or two to be still, to close your eyes, and after pausing for a moment fill your lungs with the new life God is offering us these days? I truly hope so. If you haven’t been able to do this yet, there is a lot of opportunity ahead as we move through the up- coming celebrations of Ascension, Pentecost and on to the longest sea- son of all—Ordinary Time.
Laura Alary, author of numerous wonder-filled children’s books, in- vites us to experience these extraor- dinary days by breathing deeply and getting ready to grow again. Her new children’s book Breathe: A Child’s Guide to Ascension, Pentecost, and the Growing Time, illustrated by
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Ecumenical and Interfaith Guests
The Rev. Marijke Strong
Executive Secretary, Regional Synod of Canada, Reformed Church in America
The Rev. Marijke Strong brought a message of encouragement to com- missioners. She pointed out that the PCC and the Reformed Church in America share a deep and rich heritage. Along with the Christian Reformed Church, we are all mem- bers of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, working for a restoration of justice and renewal of all things to God’s design.
The Rev. Strong pointed out that we have a shared mission in the face of a changing world. Together, we are experiencing the changing landscape of church life in Canada. While some churches have been shrinking, others are being revitalized and new expres- sions of church are rising up.
“The body of Christ is alive and well, it just looks and behaves dif- ferently than it did fifty or a hundred years ago...God is doing a new thing,
Cathrin Peterslund, was released on April 13, 2021. I had the opportunity to read and delight in an advance copy of her work and want to share with you what I discovered.
This is the third of Laura’s chil- dren’s books that focus on the sea- sons of the church year. Following her offerings for Advent and Christ- mas, and Lent and Easter, this book opens up for children (and adults, too) the stories of Jesus’ Ascension, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pen- tecost and then that long season of Ordinary Time, or Growing Time, that takes us from Pentecost all the way through to Advent.
In Breathe, Laura has woven a silken thread of our breath through each of these days and seasons, masterfully tying them to each other from the moment the disciples hold their breath at Christ’s Ascension, through to their breathing in of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and on to the apostles breathing out of God’s love into a growing and changing world. By dividing her work into three distinct sections Laura allows us to experience each day and season on its own while also building a clear
connection between them. In each she has provided a rich and descrip- tive retelling of the biblical story—a contemporary story explaining and reflecting on the time being celebrat- ed—and play-filled suggestions for family conversations and activities to experience together.
I especially want to highlight Lau- ra’s gifted storytelling. Each story Laura shares is a work of art, draw- ing us in with detailed descriptions and an emphasis on the feelings of the people involved. She fills every story with the tiniest of details, move- ments and emotional shifts while se- lecting every word with the greatest of care. Her stories are rich with vivid prose that transports us and gives us pause. Laura “gets” children and the wonder of the story itself. Her retell- ing of the stories of the Bible alone are worth the purchase of this book.
The compassionate and refreshing artwork of Cathrin Peterslund accom- panies every page, giving evidence to the winds of change as she illustrates each occasion. Together, the prose and art invite us to curl up as a family and imagine ourselves along for the journey through the days and months
before us.
So, who might want this book? First of all families with preschool
and primary-aged children will love it. I can imagine families reading each of the sections of the book over the course of the next months; one evening before bed, reading the story of the disciples’ confusion with Christ’s unexpected departure far too soon after he had come back to them, followed the next day with the contemporary presentation of Ascension Sunday for us to better understand and imagine how the church celebrates the day (we ought to leave an evening’s rest just to de- light in the biblical story itself before unpacking it together). Then after As-
cension Sunday, families could hear Laura’s suggestions of possibilities for play with Ascension together. The same pattern could be followed for Pentecost and the Growing Time. By adding this work to Laura’s other books on the seasons of Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, all of the church year is now complete, and the rereading of beloved portions of each book throughout the seasons of the year can become a treasured family ritual no matter our age as we continue to grow and learn together year after year.
Ministers and Christian educators will also find good reason to add this book to their shelves. The biblical sto- ries are so well presented, revealing the experiences and feelings of the disciples and apostles while leaving room for wonder and delight. Along with engaging artwork this book becomes a wonder ful resource for children’s stories, children’s classes and events, and even provides the outline and content for seasonal in- tergenerational gatherings. I have al- ready made plans for using Breathe in worship leadership and upcoming Sunday School lessons in the weeks ahead.
I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy this excellent book. It’s go- ing on my shelf and I hope yours, as well. Thank you, Laura and Cathrin for this gift.
lims and Christians. The PCC is a val- ued participant in the work to build friendship and cooperation between members of the two faiths.
Imam Nasir pointed out that, due to the pandemic, we are at a unique moment in history. Do we return to old ways or work for a more just and equitable world? The pandemic has unearthed inequities and injustices in our country and the world, such as the climate crisis, social and racial inequities, and human rights injus- tices. We are being called to provide a religious and moral perspective on these important issues.
“History tells us that when our faith communities best model our teachings, we have been the great- est force for common good in the world. The ability to come together and build shared solutions has never been more important than now. Our future lies tougher, rather than apart. Our future lies at understanding the differences that we acknowledge and appreciate about each other. Not the differences that divide us.”
The daily summaries, official minutes and guest presentations from the 2021 General Assembly are available at presbyterian.ca/ga2021.
The Rev. Marikje Strong
not only through us but in us, too.”
The Rev. Dr. Takuze Chitsulo
Principal, Zomba Theological College, Malawi
The Rev. Dr. Blair Bertrand, PCC mission staff to Malawi since 2017, introduced the Rev. Dr. Takuze Chit- sulo, Principal of Zomba Theological College (ZTC) in Malawi. The Rev. Chitsulo brought a message of grati- tude to commissioners, thanking The Presbyterian Church in Canada for their long-time friendship and part- nership. “Because of our partnership with the PCC, we have one of the best theological libraries in Malawi.”
He mentioned that grants provided
The Rev. Dr. Takuze Chitsulo
by the PCC allow those who work at the college to pay bills and keep do- ing their good work. He also thanked the Women’s Missionary Society for their ongoing support and praised the work of the Rev. Dr. Blair Bertrand to launch new initiatives, like online learning, even while Blair is back in Canada due to the pandemic.
“I give thanks to God for the part- nership between the PCC and Zomba Theological College. God has done great things through our living con- nection. I look forward to that con- tinuing into the future...know that your brothers and sisters at ZTC pray for you.”
The Rev. Chitsulo explained that the pandemic has impacted the Col-
Imam Muneeb Nasir
lege and the Synods that support them in many ways, but “the Lord is keeping us going and we trust that he will continue to do that.” They are moving to online teaching, which they hope to be able to implement in the next year, and are grateful to the PCC for helping them move library resources and courses online.
Imam Muneeb Nasir
Co-chair, National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee
Imam Muneed Nasir explained that the National Muslim Christian Liaison Committee (NMCLC) is a forum for respectful dialogue on things of com- mon interest between Canadian Mus-
GENERAL ASSEMBLY