Vibrant Conversations Deck

Vibrant Conversations Deck: 52 Ways to Break the Ice by PAUL SCHREIBER

Sometimes things are not what they seem. Take Lutheran Hour Ministries’ Vibrant Conversations Deck, for instance. At first look, it’s an ordinary deck of playing cards. Ahh but flip one over and you’ll discover their special charm: they can open doors to conversation and exciting revelations. As part of LHM’s Households of Faith Kit, the Deck is one of several resources designed to make a family’s time together more rewarding.

Perfect for enjoying your favorite card game, each card in the Deck also poses a question for players to respond to—such as “If you could have lunch with Jesus, what questions would you ask Him?” Or “How many neighbors from your street can you name? Can you share one fact about them?” Or “What is the hardest thing about being your age right now?” The prompts are fun for kids and adults and encourage conversation participation in an easy-going manner.

The Vibrant Conversations Deck is perfect for using in church activities with kids and young

“I love to incorporate family ministry in all I do, and this was a great way to do just that …”

people. Congregations are passing them out to families of kids in their preschools as part of their outreach ministry. Donna Einspahr, preschool director of Mountain View Lutheran Church and School in Las Vegas, Nevada, said she used grant money to purchase 85 decks for distribution.

Michaela Seeliger is director of Christian education at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wichita Falls, Texas. Recently, during

Sunday services she’s been doing a series on kids’ board games and what they can teach us about God’s Word. “I ordered the decks of cards as a giveaway for each family for when I wrap up the series in a few weeks. I love to incorporate family ministry in all I do, and this was a great way to do just that, as well as tie into the theme of games I’ve been teaching during the lessons,” she said. The Vibrant Conversations Deck’s 52 questions center on four categories: spiritual disciplines, hospitality, spiritual conversations, and food & fun. You can get your Deck as a single item for $5 or as part of LHM’s Households of Faith Kit for $37. The kit includes The Spiritually Vibrant Home by Don Everts, a small group study DVD, three kidsoriented booklets for parents, three illustrated children’s booklets, 30-Days of Household Devotions by Dr. Kari Vo, and the Households of Faith monograph. Visit lhm.org/households for details. =

Hundreds Participate in Two Virtual Events

by CHAD FIX

More than 260 people registered for the Spring LLL Virtual Event March 5 and participated through a combination of online and inperson watch parties. The theme of “Better Together: Discovering the Gifts in Your Neighborhood” was supported by a devotion from Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, and a recorded video greeting from President and CEO Kurt Buchholz.

Jennifer Prophete, LHM’s director of community programming, and Sara Johnson, The Hopeful Neighborhood Project coach, led participants through a workshop to help them discover the gifts in their individual neighborhoods.

One attendee shared, “This event explained The Hopeful Neighborhood Project very clearly. I appreciate this as a resource I can take back to my church to better explain the program and the resources that are available for us to use. Many folks in our church are looking for ways to be more engaged in our communities and within our neighborhoods, but do not know where to start. This program provides great materials to do just that, and the replay of this event works great as both an inspirational nudge and a helpful guide.”

A second event, The Hoffmann Society Spring Virtual Event, was held April 11. More than 120 participants logged on through Zoom to hear Buchholz share a short update on how LHM is sharing the Gospel with millions of people around the world. Zeigler also provided a devotional message and LHM Chief Development Officer, Major and Planned Gifts Terry Biesboer offered details about how giving through endowment sustains ministry impact into the future.

One participant shared, “This was my first time attending an event like this. I enjoyed what the speakers had to say and was glad to hear how LHM is adapting and growing during challenging times.”

Plans are already underway for each group’s fall event. Look for more details in the next issue of The Lutheran Layman. =