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About Miriam McKenney

Miriam Willard McKenney is a child of God who finds extreme joy parenting her three girls: Nia, 26; Kaia, 21; and Jaiya, 18. She and her husband, David, met at the Union of Black Episcopalians conference in 1981. Miriam works as Forward Movement’s Development Director and at Calvary Episcopal Church in Cincinnati as Youth Director. She was a children’s librarian and school media specialist for 20 years before joining Forward Movement’s staff. She loves outdoor fitness in extreme temperatures, as there is no bad weather, just incorrect clothing choices.

Pauli Murray: on time saint

July 1, 2022 By Miriam McKenney 2 Comments

What does it mean for someone to be born ahead of their time? People say that about Pauli Murray. I wonder why? Maybe because Pauli […]

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Filed Under: Saints Tagged With: African American, black, civil rights, gender, hero, law, lawyer, priest, saints, women

Youth Ministry 2021: The Comeback

September 16, 2021 By Miriam McKenney 1 Comment

What’s your new year looking like? For one church, it’s a return to the physical building. Here’s how youth minister Miriam McKenney created a plan for maximum safety and fun in a big pop-up tent.

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Filed Under: Discipleship, Prayer, Spiritual Practices Tagged With: bean bags, beanbags, Calvary, coronavirus, Jesus, ministry, Prayer, teenagers, teens, tent, youth, youth group, youth ministry

Ten Thoughts for Younger Me

July 7, 2021 By Miriam McKenney 6 Comments

If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say? Miriam reflects on twenty-six years of being a parent as her youngest, a 2021 high school graduate, prepares to leave home.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: adult, adult children, college, daughters, empty nest, God, graduate, Jesus, love, mom, parenting, raising daughters, school, Spirit, transition

So… what are you doing for Black History Month?

February 4, 2021 By Miriam McKenney 4 Comments

In the groups I’m in on Facebook, I see questions like, “What’s everyone doing for Lent?” “Should we whisper about Easter?” Before that, it was […]

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Filed Under: Discipleship, Parenting Tagged With: American History, Black History Month, children, churches, clergy, education, Family, formation, history, leaders, Sunday School, teens

Advent Care Package for Youth: What’s in the box?

November 13, 2020 By Miriam McKenney Leave a Comment

A post from the Forma Facebook page a few days ago reminded me: what am I doing for Advent with my youth group? Of course, I should have been thinking about this weeks ago. But here I am, scrolling through the list of ideas and putting together my Advent care package. But it’s not too late, especially in God’s time.  

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Filed Under: Liturgical Year, Spiritual Practices, Way of Love Tagged With: Advent, birth, coloring, craft, Jesus, nativity

Pandemic Parenting: Letting Our Children Form Us

September 23, 2020 By Miriam McKenney 1 Comment

The choices our adult children make might surprise us. Be ready for anything and open to the Spirit.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: African-Americans, college, COVID-19, daughters, Family, raising daughters, Spirit, teenagers, together, university, young adults

Keeping our community: spiritual connection and physical distance

April 15, 2020 By Miriam McKenney 2 Comments

What do we do when we can’t be together in person? Miriam shares how her youth group stays socially and spiritually connected while physically distant from one another.

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Filed Under: Easter, Health, Prayer Tagged With: connectoin, COVID-19, distance, Easter, God, Jesus, Prayer, social distancing, youth group, Zoom meeting

Rooted in Jesus gives me hope

February 20, 2020 By Miriam McKenney Leave a Comment

Did you hear about the Rooted in Jesus conference held in Atlanta in January? Were you there? Miriam shares some thoughts and observations as a member of the planning team and a follower of Jesus.

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Filed Under: Discipleship Tagged With: 2020, Atlanta, conference, Jesus, Rooted in Jesus, worship

Chaos and the Book of John: The Good Book Club and My Beloved Youth Group

February 5, 2020 By Miriam McKenney Leave a Comment

What happens when a youth group reads the Book of John for The Good Book Club? It’s hectic, chaotic, and perfect.

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Filed Under: Good Book Club, Spiritual Practices, Way of Love Tagged With: Bible, Jesus, John, Lazarus, Mary and Martha, Scripture, teenagers, teens, The Good Book Club, youth group

Let your children fly

October 2, 2019 By Miriam McKenney Leave a Comment

Letting go of your children is tough. Miriam shares what happened when she let her daughter make her own way.

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Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: adult child, adult children, church, Music, singing

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