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Author Archives: D. Scott Miller

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Surviving the Storm: 6 Tips to Help you through Hurricane Irene

By | August 27, 2011

I’m writing this post Friday morning before Hurricane Irene reaches the United States because who knows what Monday morning will bring. Will there be power? Will there be cell phone coverage? Will there be internet connectivity? Anyway, it occurs to me that the same steps involved in emergency preparedness are good steps to also be taken to ensure making it through any storm of life – emotional, professional, etc. 1. What is the Plan? Some “storms” you cannot see coming, but often you

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Sacramental Wallflowers: How to Include Parents & Sponsors in Confirmation

By | November 18, 2009

A wallflower is one who remains on the sidelines of an activity due possibly to shyness or unpopularity. Unfortunately, we can look around many confirmation preparation “dances” and find some sacramental wallflowers tucked away in the dark corners. It is not uncommon that those who are not fully engaged into the rhythm of our efforts are adults – both parents and sponsors.

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Confirmation: Making Service Count

By | August 21, 2009

Confirmation programs often require them. Some school systems also insist upon them. They are service hours and quite often we find ourselves counting service hours rather than accounting for the worth of them. In a previous posting regarding Confirmation, we looked at “Why Confirmation anyway?” So, let is examine a similar question: Are we making Confirmation service requirements count? After all, “mandatory volunteerism” does seem to be a contradiction, does it not? Why do we do service?

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Words Matter: Communicating the Importance of Confirmation

By | July 17, 2009

If you have been working with young people long enough, it is entirely possible that you have sat through a high school production of the musical Into the Woods. The closing song is a cautionary plea reminding us that Children Will Listen. The refrain reminds us: Careful the things you say Children will listen Careful the things you do Children will see and learn Children may not obey, but children will listen Children will look to you for which way to turn To learn what to be Careful before you