Shaping Families

Volunteering

“You throw the stone in water and there are the ripples and who knows where they end.” 
—Stephen Kiernan

This week’s guest on Shaping Families, author Stephen Kiernan, began to pay attention to the ripples begun by the simple and charitable act of volunteering. For one project he interviewed hospice volunteers and was somewhat stunned to find that they were among the happiest and most satisfied people he had ever met. He was puzzled. Wouldn’t you expect people relating to those who are dying to be sad, depressed?

Listen - Transcript - Study Guide

Frog Hollow

Sam Heatwole

This is real; you can’t get ahead of the folks in Frog Hollow. Not that getting ahead of anybody is a virtue, but nobody likes to feel beholden, so when you get a chance to return a favor, you take it. Even if it’s not really enough.

WEBSITE
Stephan Kiernan’s website:

BOOKS
Authentic Patriotism. 
Information or purchase. 

 Frog Hollow Journal   This colorful memoir by James G. T. Fairfield is peopled with vividly drawn neighbors, family members, and a beloved dog. Excerpts are periodically used on Shaping Families radio program.

BOOKS

On Troublesome Creek: A True Story about Christian Service in the Mountains of Kentucky. First book by Shaping Families producer Melodie M. Davis and published by Herald Press in 1981. These are used copies but anyone interested in voluntary service and particularly the eastern Kentucky area may find it of interest. 

WEBSITES

Mennonite Voluntary Service
MCC International Service

VIDEO

Peace DVD. A DVD and study guide (with website) that encourages youth to explore many avenues to create peace in the world, including by serving others.

Pax Service: An Alternative to War DVD: Between 1951 and 1976 some 1200 young men served their country by volunteering to build homes for WWII refugees, and other projects in 40 countries. This program features the “Pax” work in Germany, Austria, Greece, Paraguay and the Congo. 

Video clip. See young adults who have volunteered a year or more of their life in service. Part of the Peace DVD video curriculum. 

YouTube clip 1. YouTube clip 2. 
Two clips offering insight and an introduction to Mennonite Voluntary Service Canada.

Josh Patterson tells how voluntary service changed his outlook. 

Wash One Another’s Feet. Mennonites and other Christian groups get their theological rationale for an ethic of service from Jesus’ example in John 13 where Jesus, son of God and their teacher and master, stooped to the lowly task of washing his disciples feet. For more on the sacrament of footwashing, click here  or consider downloading the video ($10) “Wash One Another’s Feet.”

Volunteering as a Life Changing Experience

Burton Buller

Kirsten’s childhood was forever changed with her parents’ simple but shattering words: “Mommy doesn’t love daddy anymore and he’s going to move out.” But as an adult, she too, experienced the pain of divorce and today focuses on how she and her ex-husband both continue to work at parenting their child.

Sour Cream Berry Pie

This is an old recipe that’s been in Carmen's family for years—it’s in two of their family cookbooks, and a version of it can be found in the Simply in Season cookbook as well. 

• Shaping Families Update - May 12
• Shaping Families Update - May 5
• Shaping Families Update - April 28
• Shaping Families Update - April 21

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