In this Eastertide, and in the waning days of the school year (for many), we invite our readers to step back and allow yourselves to embrace simple things. Like you, many of us have pushed HARD over these past few years, trying to support and nurture faith, pivoting and reworking program plans, mastering (or not) technology, and encouraging the people around us to have faith, to rely on God’s strength and grace, to carry on.

It. Is. Exhausting! It’s okay to be exhausted. Don’t feel like you have to keep doing it all, for all, all the time.

Our gift to you this season is a handful of “Simple Things” — simple ideas for overworked educators. Over the next four weeks, we’ll post “go to” activities for a variety of ages and venues that church leaders can have at the ready. These will require minimal prep and offer enrichment for you or for your people, and you won’t have to tear your hair out in gathering supplies, lining up volunteers, or planning publicity.  We’re calling these “back pocket” activities that you can print out, fold up, carry with you, and be ready with minimal effort. Keeping it simple.

Take a breath and embrace Simple Things.

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Rev. Beth Herrinton-Hodge

is a certified Christian educator and Teaching Elder. She is the current moderator of APCE's Advocate blog Ministry Team. She serves as both writer and editor for adult and youth pieces for Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living, and is the new editor for These Days: Daily Devotions of Living by Faith. She also works at Louisville Seminary as the director of their Academic Support Center and lives in Shelbyville, KY with her husband, Jay, their two children and three rescue dogs.