Treasure Box Tuesday
Always Free Version 1/9/24
Welcome to Treasure Box Tuesday Premium from Traci Smith. My weekly links are always included after the Premium Content. If you are new to the Premium version of this email, be sure to join the
Facebook Group if you are interested. Also, remember that the coupon code TBTPREMIUM is always valid in the Etsy shop for premium members. Please note that if you need support with your subscription, including changing your payment or email address, please reach out to Substack Support. Today is the Second Tuesday of the month which makes it Newsletter Tuesday.
For your newsletters in February, I suggest you emphasize the fact that Ash Wednesday is on Valentine’s Day. Sure, Valentine’s Day is not a religious holiday, but it’s still a day when we think about love. What does it mean to anchor our lenten practice in love? I’ve written a short article here for you to copy. Remember, longer isn’t better. Use this paragraph along with an image you like and you’re good to go. (THIS or THIS image are two I found that are on Pixabay and have clear licenses, but go with what you think works!). If you are using this for your newsletters, I also suggest adding information on your own lenten services. Remember to put your information out on your social media as well.
Lent 2024: Rooted in God’s Love
Lent starts this year on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Though Valentine’s Day isn’t a religious holiday, the convergence is significant. Lent is a time of dedication to the Lord. What does it mean to anchor yourself in love and in God this Lent? As we think of lenten discipline we might naturally associate it with shadows, emptiness, and suffering. Yes, these are elements of the lenten journey, to be sure, but so is love. How will you take on a lenten practice that is rooted in love this year? Here are three ideas for you.
Lovingkindness Meditation - You can do a simple search to find many scripts for this, but the basic idea is to think warmly first toward yourself, then toward someone you love, and finally toward an enemy. A few minutes per day makes a significant difference.
Practicing Self-Compassion - Every morning say to yourself “I am God’s beloved child. God loves me unconditionally.” — Sounds simple, but how often do we neglect to extend love and hospitality to ourselves? Children seem to be better at this, though they too can struggle. If we are to remind them of their worth, we must see it in ourselves first.
Scripture Memorization - Many of us know the beautiful and familiar words of 1 Corinthians 13 that begins “Love is patient. Love is kind.” This love is not referring, specifically, to romantic love, but rather God’s perfect love. Perhaps you’ll want to memorize the whole chapter this Lent? How would that change your spiritual practice?
(Source: www.tracismith.com)
Blessed lent to all.
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Hope that helps, and remember to find time for your own practice this Lent, friends!
Welcome to Treasure Box Tuesday, your weekly email of resources for faith + family + spirit from Traci Smith. Every week I share 3-5 interesting links, quotes, and ideas for faith and family. This version is always free, but you can check out the PREMIUM VERSION here which offers weekly additional links, offers, and goodies (and it supports this free version!) Don’t forget to check out my Etsy Store as well for printables for faith and family and Eventbrite for upcoming events.
Well hello, Friends, and Happy Epiphany, a little late. Epiphany is just the absolute best holiday, so full of sparkle and wonder. My Epiphany was colored with some sadness and heaviness as I announced to my congregation that I was departing for new adventures. I’ll miss them so, so much. Please join me in praying for my congregation as they search for new leadership. It’s been such a joy to serve them. What changes are afoot in your life in 2024? Sending you love and light this year and always.
Big, Big News — Yesterday the PRESS RELEASE went out about my new adventures. I’m so excited to begin a new adventure with Chalice Press launching the Family Faith Every Day initiative. This work will allow me to dedicate myself full-time to Faithful Families and spiritual practice at home, which is an amazing opportunity. I’ve been getting lots of questions about how to get involved in this, and believe me, news is coming! We need some time to get grounded and get some structures in place, but I promise to put news right here in the newsletter. Be sure to follow Chalice Press emails as well! (see the subscribe box at the end of that press release.)
Faithful Families for $10.46 on Amazon — Look, Amazon is a very mixed bag, and I fully support (and encourage!) folks to buy my work and all of your favorite books from Indie stores as well as Chalice Press directly. This is not an affiliate link, just passing on the news that the ORIGINAL FAITHFUL FAMILIES is currently $10.46 on Amazon which means you can get all three of the books on there for $30 if you need them for yourself or a friend or your congregants. Just passing on the news, and I also don’t know how long this deal will be good for!
Beyond Substitutionary Atonement — Awhile ago I did a fairly popular webinar called BEYOND SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT which seeks to help change the narrative around violent atonement narratives and children. Check it out and look for more resources in this same vein coming soon. Passcode is: 0!STPV%R
Just Because — I found the children’s book JUST BECAUSE by Matthew McConaughey so delightful. Delightful, enough to figure out how to spell McConaughey, even! Ha! It’s great. Take a peek. There are some pages that would work beautifully for a Sunday School or Children’s Moment lesson.
Epiphany Beauty — Though Epiphany is over, I still have THIS POEM ringing in my ears. Just beautiful. Save it for next year or enjoy now.
That’s all for this week, friends. Phew!
Enjoy the Treasures, TS