By Diana Dworin
Pass the faith MICHAEL D. WATSON Meet the Luthers
Martin and Katie: Still role models for today’s parents
R
aising a family might have been one of the last things Katie von Bora or Martin Luther imagined for them- selves. For much of their young lives, Katie was a nun and Martin was a devoted monk. Getting married wasn’t in their game plans—much less having children. Things changed after Martin ditched the monastery and became an outspoken critic of the Roman Catholic Church. He assisted in a plan that smuggled Katie out of the convent in a fish barrel. They married in 1525 and, less than a year later, welcomed Hans, the first of their six children. Scholars often point to the Luthers as the “poster family” of the Protestant Reformation. Although they lived a half- century ago, their family life still provides a vibrant tem- plate for parents, said Timothy J. Wengert, a professor of Reformation history at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
“The Luther family is as much a good example for today as any good family would be,” Wengert said. “They help show us that house and home are gifts from God.” Parents today take cues from the Luthers when they:
• Share day-to-day child-care duties. Martin advocated for fathers to be as involved as mothers in the basics of child care, from cleaning diapers to rocking a child to sleep, Wengert said. He viewed these tasks as expressions of gratitude for God’s gift of a child. In 1522, he wrote: “God, with all his angels and creatures, is smiling—not because that father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith.” • Practice hospitality. Guests were a constant presence in the Luther home, Wengert said. The family was renowned for feeding and hosting friends and colleagues, university
students, relatives and other visitors. Their home was a lively and welcoming place: the family had a dog, Katie brewed beer, Luther sang and wrote music, and the chil- dren enjoyed games such as chess and bowling. • Pause for daily prayers. The Luthers began and ended each day and mealtimes with structured prayer. Morning and evening blessings started with a simple petition— “God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me”— and included the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. • Teach the children well. Martin believed parents had a sacred duty to teach their children Bible basics, including the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments. He also was a strong advocate for children’s education in reading, writing, math and music.
Now what?
God’s love in the nursery
Q: Worshiping isn’t always easy for my family, which includes an active preschooler and a 7-month-old. My husband and I usually drop them off in the church nursery on Sunday morn- ings, but it doesn’t always feel right. I want them to experi- ence worship, but sitting through the entire liturgy is more than they can handle right now. What should I do? A: Many churches offer nursery care as an expres- sion of Christian hospitality to families and chil- dren. Although your children might not be along- side you in worship, they can experience God’s love through the care of the staff members or volun- teers who serve them in the nursery. Some parents introduce their babies and toddlers to worship by bringing them into the sanctuary for a segment of the service, such as communion or the children’s sermon. Talk to your nursery caregivers about check-in and check-out policies, and consider talk- ing with your pastor about these concerns as well. Share your opinion or story at
www.thelutheran.org. Send questions to diana@ passthefaith. org.
Lutheran mom
Dworin, 40, is a mother of three and a former parenting magazine editor.
May 2011 41
DESIGNPICS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52