Clergy Room
Workshops
In Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce, Elizabeth Marquardt reports new findings from a Lilly Endowment-funded study about the moral, spiritual, and religious impact of divorce on children and young adults from divorced families. One-quarter of today’s young adults are children of divorce. Of those who were active in a church when their parents split up, two-thirds say that no one from the clergy or congregation reached out to them at that time. When they grow up, young adults from divorced families are overall much less religious and much less likely to be tied to a faith community.
In these clergy workshops, Marquardt shares many new findings and compelling stories about the faith journeys of young people from divorced families. She asks clergy to share their own experience working with children and families faced with divorce and offers extensive practical suggestions in the areas of preaching and teaching, liturgy, pastoral care, and outreach to the community. The workshops will empower clergy to strengthen their ministries to children, young adults, and families in practices that involve the whole congregation’s understanding of the importance of marriage and the impact of divorce.
A clergy workshop will take up to two hours but is flexible given the needs of the audience.
To learn more about the clergy workshops, or if you’d like to invite Elizabeth Marquardt to give one in your area, complete this simple form or call (212) 246-3942 if you have problems.
DVD
DVD Now Available
Elizabeth Marquardt and a team have produced a short film, now available on DVD, that is based on new research reported in Between Two Worlds. The film features seven grown children of divorce talking about faith, family of origin, and marriage. Read more (NB: You will be redirected to the the Center for Marriage and Families’ website, which Ms. Marquardt directs.)
Articles
A Crisis of Faith
Beliefnet | September 5, 2006
Children of Divorce
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly | June 2, 2006
If You Talk to Them, They Will Come (pdf file, 126 kb, 17 pages)
Understanding and Ministering to One-Quarter of Today’s Young Adults—Children of Divorce Family Ministry | Spring 2006
Lives of Quiet Turbulence (pdf file, 208 kb, 4 pgs)
Christianity Today | March 2006
Ministering to Children of Divorce Throughout Their Lives
Circuit Rider | May/June 2002
Children of Divorce: Stories of Exile
The Christian Century | February 2001
Recommended Resources
From Christianity.com — a Bible study based on Between Two Worlds.
For more information or to download a copy ($5.95) visit: Dealing with Divorce: What happens to a child’s soul when his or her world is ripped in two?
A quality, faith-based support group curriculum for young children: Divorce Care for Kids (www.dc4k.org)