Testimonials

The Blessing Center welcomes comments about its ministry. Below are some of the ones we have received. For others, be sure to see Stories to Inspire.

To have your comments included here, send e-mail to The Blessing Center.

The Rev. Charlotte Teel
Director of Children's Ministries
St. Luke's United Methodist Church
Oklahoma City, OK 

I had another wonder-filled experience this morning. At our 3rd chapel time, the 21/2 year old class, 8 of the them, circled around on the floor, crisscross applesauce, in front of our worship table. 

At the close, after all had received a blessing, several children said "It's your turn." I responded, "I'm blessed by each of you."  

As children are lining up to leave, 2 1/2 year old Amoris comes to me, puts her finger in the healing balm that I'm holding, draws a line on the back of my hand and with her deep dark eyes she looks into mine and says “created!” 

I received a blessing beyond all measure...a little child in our midst leading.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful preschool chapel time ministry... Now it's spreading to Oklahoma!”

►Charlotte Teal is a student in the Blessing Based Spiritual Nurture Doctor of Ministry Program at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.

Davison United Methodist Church
Davison, MI

Blessings! I was so happy to receive the Blessing Center news.

On Thursday, I will be sharing blessings, balm, lambs and blankets with the CE director at my new church. I shared the essence of BBSN/HL with her at a recent staff meeting and she is delighted to introduce holy listening and prayer into her classrooms and children's chapel. I started using a candle ritual and introduced holy listening at my first meeting with the youth group last night. Stones and prayer beads are in the "plans" for coming weeks together.

I am learning to live in Sabbath rhythms and am very sure that the slower pace is what I am to bring to this new appointment--a suburban church filled with very busy professionals and over-scheduled children. It is a comfort to be able to take the time to listen for God and not get caught up in the frantic pace of the rest of the world. It isn't easy, but it is worth it.

…And as Sister Joan Chittester says...I'm still imagining a world run by holy listeners!

Every blessing!

Susan Youmans
Associate Pastor

Christ Presbyterian Church
Madison, WI

Lisa, a member of our "Mothers and Others" group here at Christ Presbyterian Church, gave me a booklet to read through (Baby Blanket Booklet) with the idea of creating one with our church name, etc. I  understand the booklet was created to give to new mothers along with baby blankets.  I was quite moved by the concept, the prayers, the blankets, and the power I could feel in the rituals.  Lisa told me you were most generous in "passing it on" and allowing other churches to use the booklet…

The moms are so anxious to pass on this lovely gift to a number of new mothers in our community…
 

From Renee

I looked, saw, read, marveled at the renewal and hope inherent in the theology and the descriptions of  this ministry of walking with children as the newest blessings from God. The theology of prepositions (do to -  do for - do with) struck me. 

How The Blessing Center Blessed Jim
by Jim DeWall
Beavercreek, Ohio

My wife, Gail, handed me a brochure one evening and stated, “This is a new ministry that the church is thinking about, and you might want to read it.” I was just glancing at the brochure not really reading it, when I read, “Finger and Toes Blessing Prayer” - this got my attention. I read and reread the booklet, Praying With Your Baby: A Spiritual Journey, by the Rev. Leanne Ciampa Hadley. Thinking about what I had read I realized that if parents prayed with their babies under the guidance of this little book, that CHILD ABUSE would go away. I told my wife that if the Church starts this ministry I will buy a baby blanket for every new born child in our Church.


Late on a Friday afternoon, I received a call from Jackie (our church Educator at the time) and was told, to not be alarmed, but my name would be in Sunday’s Church Bulletin. I asked, why? The response was, “don’t worry about it”. When my wife got home from the church I asked her, what is going on that would cause my name to be in the church bulletin. Her answer was, “we (Jackie and my wife, Gail) decided that since you like children so much that you should be a member of the Blessing Center Board.


A few weeks later I was asked if I would, “cam cord” the Children’s Chapel, a part of our weekday Preschool. I knew that it would be much fun and I said yes. Setting up for the first session in the chapel I saw a small worship center on the floor, about a foot high. It was draped in white linen and on it was a Children’s Bible, a candle and a candle snuffer. There was a small lamb, too.


With an adult in the lead, the children came into the church sanctuary and down the aisle. There were big wonderful smiles; some were gazing about, a little pushing, lots of giggles and a few high-fives. As the children were seated it was obvious that they all had a predetermined spot and a person that they would be seated next too. Some were on their knees, some on their bottoms, some had their faces in their hands and some stood. Once all were seated, the candle was lit; there was prayer and singing, The children were asked if they had a special joy or problem that they to share with the group. Hands went up and some faces fell. The lamb was given to one child and that child had the floor to pray aloud, silently, or could ask Jackie to pray a special prayer. There was not another sound in the room. All eyes were fixed on the person with the lamb. Some times there were discussions concerning the child’s joy or problem. Some times a child would just hug the lamb, saying nothing, just wanting to keep its comfort. The lamb was passed on and on to each person until all had had a turn.


It was when the children first came down aisle that I felt changes in that sanctuary. I have no words to really describe it. It was calming, it was peaceful, it was a cool sacred reality that God had arrived and was there. I have never felt such a closeness to God before. When the children left the chapel God went with them...

Davison United Methodist Church
Davison, MI

Sunday School

Our Sunday School uses a prayer and blessing ritual in all age groups. Several adults/groups use candle rituals for every meeting or class time.

Worship

In the worship service we share a back-to-school blessing in each year. On our ministry/pastor appreciation Sunday, our 4-6 grade students gave the blessings.

UMC District Event

The "blessing balm" blessing is being added to our district youth winter lock-in for about 300 youth. The evening will include a prayer labyrinth and Holy Communion. All new for the district event!

In the Whole Life of the Church

I am helping to incorporate BBSN ideas and practices in our new prayer shawl ministry. This month we are introducing baby shawls/prayer books for new mothers.

"Holy Listening" is used in our two Disciple Bible study groups. Our Tuesday morning Bible study uses listening stones about once a month. Yesterday we had a three year old guest who selected a stone with a heart on it. After everyone had shared with many words how the figure on the stone reflected their lives at the moment, Sophia (wisdom!) was asked about her stone.

"It has a heart on it."

"What does that mean to you?"

"It means Jesus loves us, silly."

What else do we need to know?

Every blessing!
Susan Youmans
Associate Pastor