• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Building Faith

Building Faith

A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • Who We Are
    • Our Writers
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • ARTICLES
    • ARTICLES BY TOPIC
    • MOST RECENT ARTICLES
  • EN ESPAÑOL
  • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • Episcopal Teacher
    • Choosing Curriculum
    • Vacation Bible School
    • Signs of Life
    • Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John
    • 5 Marks of Love
    • Growing a Rule of Life
    • It’s Time To…
    • #AdventWord
  • SUPPORT US
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home/Home Practices/“Table Talk” is the New Normal: Supporting Faith Conversations at Home

“Table Talk” is the New Normal: Supporting Faith Conversations at Home

The older generations are learning and loving to engage with a Church in the digital age, while the children and young families are exhausted by the dramatic increase in screen time.”

The Screen Fatigue Challenge

By the time the children and youth of our parish had made it two months into quarantine, it was clear that everybody needed a break from remote faith formation. We were convinced that we could find a new and better way to support our families and children in their faith formation in the upcoming months.

As in any season of ministry, the offering had to match the immediate needs of the community, but it also had to be in step with the mission of the Church. Whatever we created, it needed to be something our church community would be proud of on the other side of the pandemic.

The Birth of “Table Talk”

The concept of “Table Talk” is not groundbreaking or particularly innovative, but it certainly reflects the type of faith formation that many churches long for. Our basic resources for “Table Talk” take seriously the responsibility that parents have in the faith formation of their children. We know that parents, not children’s ministers, youth pastors, nor clergy, are the first and best teachers of faith. Sometimes parents simply need a gentle nudge to be reminded of their unique call.

We had begun to hear from our parish families that they had newfound hours for intentional time together. Several of our families shared how thankful they were to finally have the time to sit down at their dinner table and be present to one another for a meal. This seemed resonate across generations. We had found our new medium for faith formation, and “Table Talk” was born.

What is “Table Talk”?

Each month we create a single-page document of reflections for families to use throughout the week at the time and place they feel most comfortable. Each page offers a Gospel reading from the nearest Sunday of the month, preceded by a brief (3-4 sentences) overview that puts the reading into context. The Gospel is then followed by a few age-appropriate, open-ended questions for families to reflect upon together. There are no wrong answers, only invitations for theological wondering together. We hope parents feel confident enough to be teachers, due to our provision of some biblical reflection, and curious enough to question and learn alongside their children.

An Example of “Table Talk”

Pandemic life, surprisingly much like “normal” life, has been filled with little graces. It is abundantly clear that many of our parishioners will arrive on the other end of this pandemic with some degree of digital literacy. The ways in which the Church can meet them will be forever widened. This is a grace. If we are fortunate, some of our families and their children will feel more comfortable creating intentional time for one another, and perhaps even feel safe enough to wonder aloud about God in their own homes. This, too, is a grace, and not a small one.

The full September version of Table Talk from Episcopal Church of The Redeemer can be found here. Please give credit to “Church of The Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, PA” if used.


The Rev. Michael Palmisano is the Associate Rector for Education and Faith Formation at Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, PA. Prior to seminary Michael served as a therapist in the Greater Philadelphia area where he grew up. He is an avid runner and an amateur bread baker. Check out Michael’s new blog, The Running Reverend.

Print PDF

September 14, 2020 By Michael Palmisano

Filed Under: Children & Family, Home Prac Popular, Home Practices, Intergenerational, Youth Ministry Tagged With: at home, conversation, faith at home, Home Practice, Home practices, lectionary, off-screen, table, table talk, zoom fatigue

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Naomi

    September 17, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    I love this idea. We used to do a Food for Thought group; discussing truth over a meal. Is the name ‘Table Talk’ and logo copywrited or can it be borrowed and used in other Christian settings?

  2. Charlotte Hand Greeson

    September 17, 2020 at 5:52 pm

    Hi Naomi! Michael has asked that you credit his parish, Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr PA if you use the Sept issue that is attached. You can contact him through his blog for more information!

  3. Liliana Mariano

    September 24, 2020 at 11:42 am

    Hi, thanks for creating this material. How can I subscribed to receive it for every month? I would like to facilitate it to families in our church.
    Let me know.
    Thanks in advance.

  4. Sarah Bentley Allred

    September 24, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    Hello! Thanks for your interest in using Table Talk with your church. You’ll be able to find it monthly on Church of the Redeemer’s website (http://www.theredeemer.org/). Right now it is on the front page under “current events.” You can also contact the author about subscribing to their church newsletter.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS

Subscribe to Building Faith

You’ll get new articles, plus free weekly updates in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. View our privacy policy here.

Search our site

Search by Topic

New Articles

Black and white image of father and son in hammock.

The Wondering Together Project: A Simple Tool For These Hard Times

I am flattened by how helpless I have felt by the isolation and suffering uncovered, highlighted, …

Continue Reading about The Wondering Together Project: A Simple Tool For These Hard Times

A bishop and three women, all masked.

Shooting Stars and Lectio Divina: A Hybrid Confirmation Class Using The Way of Love

Two years into the pandemic, we had some interest in preparing for confirmation from a few teens in …

Continue Reading about Shooting Stars and Lectio Divina: A Hybrid Confirmation Class Using The Way of Love

Black framed eyeglasses on top of open Bible.

Finding a Feminist Bible Study

“Remember, there are no right or wrong answers but only right questions." ~Elisabeth Schüssler …

Continue Reading about Finding a Feminist Bible Study

Footer

Keep In Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook

Upcoming Webinars

Eventbrite Registration

Building Faith

Lifelong Learning, Virginia Theological Seminary
3737 Seminary Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22304

Copyright © 2022 · Building Faith · A Ministry of Virginia Theological Seminary

Design by Blue+Pine Creative, Inc.

Subscribe to Building Faith

Get Articles and Resources by Email

Privacy Policy