Hopes and Fears : everyday theology for new parents and other tired, anxious people

"Bromleigh McCleneghan and Lee Hull Moses have written a book about being not-perfect parents in a not-perfect world. The result, Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People, is a joyous celebration of child-rearing in which any parent no matter how perfect can share. 'I want to have a happy and healthy marriage, and I want to have happy, faithful kids,' proclaims co-author McCleneghan in the introduction to the book. 'But I reject the pervasive cultural lie that a happy marriage and the faithful kids are somehow the byproducts of some rigorous and largely unattainable personal or moral perfection.' Thus, Hopes and Fears is neither a 'how-to' book nor a mere meditation. Rather, the authors seek to find the beautiful and the spiritual in the sometimes mundane activities that parents have performed since the beginning of history, while at the same time allowing beautiful and spiritual insights of the past to inform and shape the activities of modern parenting. Thus, the words of a hymn can trigger an idea about how to deal with bedtime, and an exercise in baby-naming can lead to a better understanding of a passage in Isaiah. The intertwining of the spiritual and familial in this book constantly surprises and delights: a quote from Paul Tillich can stand next to one from Tina Fey or What to Expect When You're Expecting. We are often reminded that the authors, two longtime friends, are ordinary working mothers. Fortunately, they are also experienced and well-read congregational leaders, and they bring that perspective to their reflections. Hopes and Fears is also about sharing, in the widest and deepest sense of that word. As many parents know, learning to share is one of the most difficult things for many children to acquire. McCleneghan and Moses have decided to teach by example with this book, noting: 'we're hopeful that as we share our lives--the trials and tribulations and incredible joys--other parents will feel inspired to reflect on their own experiences, and perhaps even to consider new ways in which their own faith is relevant to their identities as parents.' Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People is highly suitable for group study as well as individual reflection."-- Provided by publisher Bromleigh McCleneghan and Lee Hull Moses have written a book about being not-perfect parents in a not-perfect world. The result, Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People, is a joyous celebration of child-rearing in which any parentno matter how perfectcan share. "I want to have a happy and healthy marriage, and I want to have happy, faithful kids," proclaims co-author McCleneghan in the introduction to the book. "But I reject the pervasive cultural lie that a happy marriage and the faithful kids are somehow the byproducts of some rigorous and largely unattainable personal or moral perfection." Thus, Hopes and Fears is neither a "how-to" book nor a mere meditation. Rather, the authors seek to find the beautiful and the spiritual in the sometimes mundane activities that parents have performed since the beginning of history, while at the same time allowing beautiful and spiritual insights of the past to inform and shape the activities of modern parenting. Thus, the words of a hymn can trigger an idea about how to deal with bedtime, and an exercise in baby-naming can lead to a better understanding of a passage in Isaiah. The intertwining of the spiritual and familial in this book constantly surprises and delights: a quote from Paul Tillich can stand next to one from Tina Fey or What to Expect When Youre Expecting. We are often reminded that the authors, two longtime friends, are ordinary working mothers. Fortunately, they are also experienced and well-read congregational leaders, and they bring that perspective to their reflections. McCleneghan, a United Methodist Elder, works as the Associate for Congregational Life at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago and is a frequent contributor to Christian Century. Lee Hull Moses is the pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Greensboro, North Carolina. Hopes and Fears is also about sharing, in the widest and deepest sense of that word. As many parents know, learning to share is one of the most difficult things for many children to acquire. McCleneghan and Moses have decided to teach by example with this book, noting: "were hopeful that as we share our livesthe trials and tribulations and incredible joysother parents will feel inspired to reflect on their own experiences, and perhaps even to consider new ways in which their own faith is relevant to their identities as parents." Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People is highly suitable for group study as well as individual reflection. Foreword by Bonnie Miller-McLemore. Bromleigh Mccleneghan And Lee Hull Moses Have Written A Book About Being Not-perfect Parents In A Not-perfect World. The Result, Hopes And Fears: Everyday Theology For New Parents And Other Tired, Anxious People, Is A Joyous Celebration Of Child-rearing In Which Any Parent No Matter How Perfect Can Share. -- Introduction : The Hopes And Fears : On Friendships, And Babies, And Telling The Truth / Bromleigh -- Leap Of Faith : On If, And When, And The Will Of God / Lee -- My Body, My Fault : On Pregnancy, And Anxiety, And Hope / Bromleigh -- Called By Name : On Names, And Identity, And Making A Place In The World / Lee -- Bedtime : On Ferber, And Freedom, And Faith / Bromleigh -- Good Work : On Rest, And Work, And Getting Things Done / Lee -- Cuddling, And Other Not-as-precious Things About Incarnation : On Intimacy, And Being Human, And Assorted Bodily Fluids / Bromleigh -- Saying Grace : On Stories, And Songs, And Nurturing Faith / Lee -- I'm The Mommy, That's Why : On Authority, And Experts, And Looking For Truth / Bromleigh -- Washing The Diapers : On Gratitude, And Justice, And Living In A Broken World / Lee -- The Rage : On Marriage, And Anger, And The Nature Of Love / Bromleigh -- Birthdays And Baby Books : On Blessings, And Festivals, And Ordinary Time / Lee -- When Christian Feminists Give Birth To Princesses : On Boys, And Girls, And Galatians 3 / Bromleigh -- Move, Mommy, Move : On Sharing, And Life In A Family, And Making Room Without Getting Crowded Out / Lee -- Dancing With Her Daddy On A Saturday Morning : On Vocation, And Praise, And Becoming Who We Are / Bromleigh -- Conclusion : Of All The Years : On Change, And The Passage Of Time, And The Assurance Of Grace / Lee. Bromleigh Mccleneghan And Lee Hull Moses. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 215-221). Bromleigh McCleneghan and Lee Hull Moses have written a book about being not-perfect parents in a not-perfect world. The result, Hopes and Fears: Everyday Theology for New Parents and Other Tired, Anxious People, is a joyous celebration of child-rearing in which any parent no matter how perfect can share. -- Amazon.com