"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and your joy no one will ever take from you."
John 16:22
The recent tragedies in Connecticut are unimaginable and heart wrenching. Our thoughts and prayers go out to every single person, and their families, who are affected by this tragedy.
We are so thankful for the wonderful children of RPC and thank God for each and every one of them.
It is incredibly vital at a time like this that you remind your child of God's love for everyone, especially them. Children are at a critical time in their faith development and when tragedies such as these are left unaddressed, we risk children coming to their own conclusions about God's will and abilities. Please contact the church if you need help with how to talk to your child about this topic, or would like Sarah Kate or any pastor to work with your child. I strongly encourage you to look at the resources below for excellent information and tips.
We are quickly putting together resources for dealing with tragedies involving children as well as resources for talking to your children in situations such as these. Lane is posting several resources and reflections on his blog so we want to direct you to that:
HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH TRAGEDY RELATED ANXIETY
Dealing With Grief: Five Things NOT To Say And Five Things To Say In A Trauma Involving Children
***This is one of the most important resources I can offer to you. It emphasizes the importance of how to portray God in a time like this. We have to prevent children from thinking God played any role in this tragedy.
Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting
Resources to Help Parents, Children and Others Cope in the Aftermath of School Shootings
A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope
Children and Grief
Talking to Kids After National Tragedy
Caring for Kids After a School Shooting
Talking To Your Children About Violence Against Kids
Some books that offer excellent sections on how to help children understand crisis and distress, while maintaining a centering on God's love.
When Children Suffer - section 14, 15
Pastoral Care - section 4 (and several resources of creative ways to help children talk to you and express their feelings and emotions)
If you need more information on talking to your children about grief, tragedy, death, etc. please contact any of our pastors or Sarah Kate DeWyngaert, Director of Children's Ministry.
Dealing With Grief: Five Things NOT To Say And Five Things To Say In A Trauma Involving Children
***This is one of the most important resources I can offer to you. It emphasizes the importance of how to portray God in a time like this. We have to prevent children from thinking God played any role in this tragedy.
Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting
Resources to Help Parents, Children and Others Cope in the Aftermath of School Shootings
A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope
Children and Grief
Talking to Kids After National Tragedy
Caring for Kids After a School Shooting
Talking To Your Children About Violence Against Kids
Some books that offer excellent sections on how to help children understand crisis and distress, while maintaining a centering on God's love.
When Children Suffer - section 14, 15
Pastoral Care - section 4 (and several resources of creative ways to help children talk to you and express their feelings and emotions)
If you need more information on talking to your children about grief, tragedy, death, etc. please contact any of our pastors or Sarah Kate DeWyngaert, Director of Children's Ministry.
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