Blessings and Rituals for the Journey of Life

Rating:
Summary: "Blessings and Rituals For the Journey of Life"
Review: "Blessings and Rituals For the Journey of Life" is Susan Languser's contribution to the task of religion - that is, making a connection between God and the lives of people. These are rituals for special times and for normal activities. The clear writing and presentation are helpful in determining the appropriateness of each ritual and in the wording of the rituals themselves. The book is arranged in the order of life's journey. It begins with a blessing for a baby still in the womb and proceeds to an ending of thirteen different rituals for "letting go". In between are blessings for lunch boxes, first jobs, new houses, people who are divorced, and blessings upon retirement. These rituals are easily accessible for those who don't have a religious background but who sense a significant moment in their lives. From the mundane (blessings upon receiving a driver's license) to the potentially profound (blessings for a retreat) this book is a practical way to assert that God has something to say about the passages of daily life.

Rating:
Summary: NOT WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE
Review: "Blessings and Rituals For the Journey of Life" is Susan Languser's contribution to the task of religion - that is, making a connection between God and the lives of people. These are rituals for special times and for normal activities. The clear writing and presentation are helpful in determining the appropriateness of each ritual and in the wording of the rituals themselves. The book is arranged in the order of life's journey. It begins with a blessing for a baby still in the womb and proceeds to an ending of thirteen different rituals for "letting go". In between are blessings for lunch boxes, first jobs, new houses, people who are divorced, and blessings upon retirement. These rituals are easily accessible for those who don't have a religious background but who sense a significant moment in their lives. From the mundane (blessings upon receiving a driver's license) to the potentially profound (blessings for a retreat) this book is a practical way to assert that God has something to say about the passages of daily life.

Rating:
Summary: NOT WHAT IT SEEMS TO BE
Review: I bought this recently based on the one review here and was thorougly dissapointed. It is filled with blessings and rituals for every type of occasion, however, unless you yourself are a pastor or belong to a church that advocates the practice of rituals - there isn't very much help from this little book. I suppose one can use the material within as inspiration to create one's own personal rituals. But this would require quite some effort. I was looking for a book of instruction that the average person may practice privately at home. If that is what you are also searching for, then, this book is NOT IT! Even if you belong to a congregation you may not be able to use the suggestions in the book if your church does not practice any type of rituals or rituals as described in this book (frankly, I don't know of any church that does).

Rating:
Summary: Good Book If It's What You Need
Review: Our Lutheran congregation celebrates a series of "life milestones" based on FaithInk's Stepping Stones and the Augsburg YFI Milestones Ministries. This book is a good guide in choosing which "milestones" to celebrate and how to celebrate them within the congregational setting. If your church is interested in this kind of ministry, then this book is great reference material!

Rating:
Summary: Good Book If It's What You Need
Review: Our Lutheran congregation celebrates a series of "life milestones" based on FaithInk's Stepping Stones and the Augsburg YFI Milestones Ministries. This book is a good guide in choosing which "milestones" to celebrate and how to celebrate them within the congregational setting. If your church is interested in this kind of ministry, then this book is great reference material!