
The Third-and-a-Half Hurt
When we Create a Safe Place, we keep confidential what our few say in small group. The exception is the 3 hurts: when a student is hurting someone, when someone is hurting a student, or when a student is thinking of self-harm. But we all know that the situations and...

The Need of the Moment
It’s snowing outside. But I am sitting warm and cozy by my fireplace. And I find myself thinking back to last week’s small group time. It was a busy Sunday with lots of families finding their way back to church in the new year. We were just about ready to dive in to...

When Serving Looks a Little Different
This past summer, my daughter was home after college graduation and wanted to get together with some of the little girls that were in her small groups over the years. She sent out an invitation to come to tea, and the planning and prep began! The big day came, and the...

Thanksgiving and Safe Places
It’s that time of the year again. Can you smell it in the air? Go ahead. Breathe it in. Does smells like burning leaf piles and crisp air? Because if it doesn’t, I highly recommend that you take a walk and find somewhere where it does—unless the smoke irritates your...

Lessons Learned in Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood
My family and I sat down a few nights ago to watch 'Won’t You Be My Neighbor?', the documentary about the life of Fred Rogers, the children's television personality and minister. As I was watching the movie about Fred Rogers’ life, I noticed several fundamental values...