{"id":27278,"date":"2026-06-12T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27278"},"modified":"2026-06-12T21:47:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T21:47:28","slug":"shine-everywhere-reaches-midpoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/shine-everywhere-reaches-midpoint\/","title":{"rendered":"Shine Everywhere reaches midpoint, strengthening faith formation at home and church\u202f"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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At the midpoint of its five-year grant initiative,\u202fShine Everywhere\u202fis\u202fdemonstrating\u202fhow research, partnerships, and innovative resources are helping congregations better support families in sharing faith at home. Shine Everywhere is shaping the future of\u202fShine: Living in God\u2019s Light\u202f Curriculum and deepening the connection between faith practices at church and at home.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shine Curriculum is a joint publication of Brethren Press and MennoMedia. MennoMedia received a grant on behalf of Shine from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An important milestone has been the completion of comprehensive surveys of congregations and families who use Shine Curriculum. In spring 2025, Shine received responses from 264 congregations and 254 families, providing insight into the realities facing churches and households today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Across both surveys, several themes emerged. Families and church leaders alike reported that time pressure\u202fis the biggest challenge for parents as they share faith with their children. Respondents expressed\u202fa\u202fstrong desire\u202ffor resources that are\u202frelational, practical, flexible, and doable, to help families cultivate faith through conversation and everyday practices. The surveys also confirmed that Shine\u2019s long-standing distinctives\u2014Bible story focus, a peacemaking lens, and space for questions\u2014remain deeply valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Shine Everywhere reaches its midpoint, one of its most significant developments is the growing integration of at-home faith formation into\u202fShine Curriculum\u202fitself. Beginning this fall, Shine\u2019s newly redesigned curriculum will include\u202fat-home resources for every age level,\u202fmarking a lasting convergence between Shine Everywhere and Shine Curriculum.\u202fThis shift ensures that the at-home emphasis developed through Shine Everywhere will continue past the life of the grant, becoming a permanent feature of Shine\u2019s approach to Christian formation.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the project,\u202fShine Everywhere partner congregations\u202fhave played a vital role in shaping resources and practices. Through coaching, experimentation, and feedback, congregational leaders are learning effective ways to equip parents and caregivers as primary faith nurturers.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partners report that the most effective approaches include introducing at-home practices in\u202fperson, doing an at-home practice at church first, and seeing the distribution of at-home resources as an opportunity to build relationships.\u202fLeaders also are learning to listen more deeply to parents\u2019 spiritual hopes and to create low-barrier opportunities for connection and encouragement.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShine Everywhere continues to show us that when churches listen well and offer simple, trusted tools, families are eager to grow\u202fin\u202ffaith together,\u201d said Shana Peachey Boshart, Shine Everywhere project facilitator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full survey reports<\/strong> are available at https:\/\/shineeverywhere.com\/join\/surveys<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more details about Shine Everywhere<\/strong> and to stay connected, visit\u202fhttps:\/\/shineeverywhere.com\/about<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purchase Shine Curriculum<\/strong> from Brethren Press at www.brethrenpress.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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