Last week in worship, CLF Learning Fellow Donté Hilliard asked us whether the definitions of family we have been exposed to allow us to thrive.
How would you redefine “family” in a way that makes your thriving more possible?
Animal Family
Many people welcome animals into their homes who become parts of their family. These animal companions teach us about love, loyalty, care, and grief.
Tell us a story about an animal member of your family.
My Spreadsheet
I shared recently with my coworkers that my Thanksgiving spreadsheet makes my cooking for a big family crowd something I don’t worry about. Apparently, I am not the only person with a secret holiday spreadsheet, and that occasioned a lot of laughter. But the stress and worry reduction is real, and I encourage you to find the tools in your kit to do that for yourself. -Michael Tino (CLF)
What tools do you have to reduce your stress today?
Pie
Capitalism teaches us that the resources we need to thrive are finite, but this is a lie. You deserve to thrive, not merely to survive. You deserve people around you who insist on your thriving. You deserve pie, because there is enough for everyone.
Who are the people who insist on your thriving?
Queer Family
“We want to invite you into this kind of labor that allows us all to be fully ourselves while embracing those around us…. This is truly a labor of love that yields unexpected crops of joy and safety.” -Nia Chiaramonte and Katie J. Chiaramonte, from their book Embracing Queer Family: Learning to Live Authentically in Our Families and Communities
How do you embrace yourself and others authentically? Who helps you with that?