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Meaning in the Moment Paperback – September 26, 2023

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 31 ratings

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Life has its ups and downs, and it can feel like we're always in the middle of a transition.

Whether it's a painful end or a joyful beginning--or even an uncertain middle--theologian and minister Amy Davis Abdallah has found something that helps: rituals. In
Meaning in the Moment,she shows why we need rituals to help survive and even thrive through various seasons of life.

Starting with the foundation that rituals are a core, and underexplored, part of Christian practice, Davis Abdallah draws from theology, psychology, and personal experiences in creating rituals for herself and others. She offers practical guidance for readers to create their own meaningful rituals, including three types requiring varying levels of planning and participation: right now, with friends, and at church.

Readers will emerge with fresh ways to bring their faith to life for themselves, their families, and their church communities--and ready to experience the transformative power of rituals. The book includes a foreword by W. David O. Taylor.
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From the brand


From the Publisher

Why we need rituals

Mimi Haddad endorsement

Dru Johnson endorsement

Julie Tai endorsement

Includes sample rituals

Amy F. Davis Abdallah

water bowl

Preparation

Holy water or consecrated oil is often used to anoint the entrances into each room. If you do not have any, you can make your own: simply touch the water or oil and pray that God would bless it and make it holy for God’s purposes. A cross and candle are also helpful, as they symbolize the presence of Christ.

candles

Beginning

Light the candle and have members of the group hold it, the cross, the oil, and the water. The prayers ask for God’s presence and peace in the home. They invite the Holy Spirit to come and make the place transformational for inhabitants and visitors.

door

Room to Room

Begin with the entrance(s) and have all physical elements present. The entrance prayer is for God’s blessing on those who come and go. After a prayer of blessing, anoint doorways with oil or water; water can also be sprinkled around the room.

living room

Anoint

In each room, pray a blessing for that which is done in the room (the kitchen gets a blessing for food, the bedrooms get a blessing for sleep, etc.). Don’t leave out the garage and workroom! Take the cross and candle throughout and anoint with oil or water throughout. End in the living room. Pray for deep and abiding unity and fellowship there and anoint the area.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

An Invitation to Discover the Transformative Power of Rituals

Life has its ups and downs, and it can feel like we're always in the middle of a transition.

Whether it's a painful end, an uncertain middle, or a joyful beginning, Amy Davis Abdallah has found something that helps: rituals. In
Meaning in the Moment,she shows why we need rituals to survive and even thrive through various seasons of life. She also provides practical guidance for creating our own meaningful rituals.

"Davis Abdallah gives us a feast of ritual thinking and actual rituals to ponder and practice. This is not just a book about rituals; it helps us navigate our ritualed world with a trustworthy guide."
--
Dru Johnson, author of Human Rites and Knowledge by Ritual

"If life's transitions find you confused, discouraged, and stuck, this is
your book!"
--
Mimi Haddad,president, Christians for Biblical Equality International

"Davis Abdallah gives us the permission we never knew we needed to create rituals for the mundane and the extraordinary moments in our lives."
--
Julie Tai, director of chapel and community worship, Fuller Theological Seminary; cofounder, Kinship Commons

"Davis Abdallah offers meaningful tools for creating rituals that help us process loss, move through life's challenges with grace, and celebrate the good."
--
Wanda Velez, vice president for student development and dean of students, Alliance University

"Davis Abdallah helps the reader frame and form rituals that are deeply personal and highly liturgical."
--
Charles O. Galbreath, senior pastor, Alliance Tabernacle, Brooklyn; associate dean, Alliance Theological Seminary

"Davis Abdallah has given Christians a beautiful gift in inviting us into the transformative power of rituals in all of life. Anyone will benefit from this book."
--
Constance M. Cherry, professor emeritus of worship and pastoral ministries, Indiana Wesleyan University; professor, Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies

About the Author

Amy F. Davis Abdallah (PhD, Drew University) served as professor of practical theology and worship at Alliance University and is a professor at the Institute for Worship Studies. She is the founder and director of Woman: Rite of Passage, the author of The Book of Womanhood, and a frequent speaker. Her work has been featured in Christianity Today, Missio Alliance, and CBE International, and she has spoken at the Missio Alliance Awakenings Gathering and the North American Academy of Liturgy. She lives with her husband and two sons in Sparkill, New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Brazos Press (September 26, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1587435810
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1587435812
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.56 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 31 ratings

About the author

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Amy F. Davis Abdallah
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Rev. Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah works as a professor, writer, speaker, and ritual creator.

She believes rituals are transformative and powerful, so she wrote Meaning in the Moment: How Rituals Help Us Move Through Joy, Pain, and Everything in Between.

She also believes that embodied experiences enhance communication and learning. Her teaching on theology, gender, or worship always involves movement and response, especially as she creates or enacts meaningful rituals..

Amy is founder and director of Woman: A Rite of Passage and authored The Book of Womanhood to empower women to be their true selves in the world. Her writing has been featured in Everbloom and The Wonder Years, and by Christianity Today, CBE International, Redbud Writers Guild, InterVarsity Fellowship, and Missio Alliance.

Amy served as Professor of Practical Theology and Worship at Alliance University (formerly Nyack College) for more than two decades, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, mentoring many, and coordinating chapels. She currently serves as Professor of Worship with Robert E. Webber's Institute for Worship Studies. She preaches and teaches for churches, conferences, and other ministries in the United States and internationally. Amy also delights to lead students on the Footsteps of Paul in Greece, a transformative experience that brings the Bible to life.

You can find Amy beside a campfire, growing something green, climbing a mountain, traveling around the word, or enjoying good food with friends. She loves all kinds of beauty, mentors many, adventures in cities and on trails, and is a wife and the mama of two boys.

Find her on the web at amydavisa.com and on twitter and instagram @amyfdavisa.

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4.8 out of 5 stars
31 global ratings

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Honoring Each Season
5 out of 5 stars
Honoring Each Season
Our body recognize more seasons than just “Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer” (at least if you’re from New England like myself) or just “Fall-Summer” if you’re from Florida (like my beautiful wife). Seasons come around us, often overlap, and sometimes end unceremoniously. From becoming a parent, leaving a workplace environment, or starting college, seasons come and go rapidly. Some of these seasons bring us joy and some bring us grief. “Meaning in the Moment,” by Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah, is 50% memoir, 50% guidance, and 100% formative for each reader as they try to commemorate, celebrate, and grieve these seasons as they come and go.The premise of this book is that our bodies need rituals for their spiritual growth and interaction with the mystery of God’s presence. Dr. Davis Abdallah writes (pg 24), “This book, then, is an invitation to ritual mystery, a call to embrace the transformative power of ritual and contemplate it with awe.” For some reason, when we make rituals to commemorate seasons of our lives, we are more able to embrace what God has given us today.She begins by establishing why we need rituals, how the Bible gives us permission to make rituals in our worship, and how Church history has used them (such as baptism). Often many protestant evangelical contexts (of which Dr. Davis Abdallah grew up in) neglect rituals for various traditional reasons. Dr. Davis Abdallah points out this irony that we create small and large rituals in our social circles wherever we go. She points out that the Billy Graham “sinner's salvation prayer” was even a form of ritual at the end of his sermon.In her explanation of rituals, Dr. Davis Abdallah successfully explains how rituals help regulate our emotions, help us cope with pain, but also help us understand our purpose as well as our place in the community. An example she uses is the idea of college graduation being called commencement. College commencement is the end of a season but also the beginning of another one, hence the use of the word “commencement.” Students are not just sent away from the school and congratulated for their hard work, but they are sent into the world to start the rest of their lives. The ceremony is the ritual that mitigates the end from the beginning. Weddings are of course another example of rituals.Dr. Davis Abdallah proposes that rituals are helpful and essential for our growth as believers in community. Some of her most powerful examples came from her experience piloting and leading the women's discipleship program “Woman” at Nyack College. This program gave college age students an opportunity to take ownership over their identity as women of God outside of being married or having a baby. A point that was essential since much of Dr. Davis Abdallah's personal experience and research of evangelicalism is that women struggle to own their identity as women until they accomplish either of the two. Through the discipleship and graduation ritual in this program, many women experienced life change and owned their identities as women as they graduated from their undergraduate degrees.Much of this book is also interactive with the reader. At the end of each chapter Dr. Davis Abdallah provides examples of different rituals one can do “Right Now,” “With-Friends,” and “At-Church.” These examples successfully help express how rituals can range from being simple and personal, or being complex and communal, and all in all not “weird” or unhelpful. She goes on to explain “How We Ritualize” and “What We Ritualize” which offer wisdom to the reader to create meaningful rituals in their own journey “Right Now,” “With-Friends,” or “At-Church.”All along the way, you sense Dr. Davis Abdallah’s passion for the subject, her vast knowledge of rituals in Church and Biblical history, and a desire to help individuals live their lives in the fullness of Christ. Her personal writing style is captivating as she walks the reader through what she has spent her life learning and experiencing concerning rituals.The youngest reader I would recommend this to is high school students due to the reader level and the timeliness this book can offer as they navigate their own transitional seasons. As a whole, this book should be read by any one who feels like they need help moving into the next season of life that God has given them. Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah certainly illustrates, in a biblical and Christ like way, how we can use and acknowledge rituals to bring us closer to the mystery of God’s presence.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2023
    Our body recognize more seasons than just “Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer” (at least if you’re from New England like myself) or just “Fall-Summer” if you’re from Florida (like my beautiful wife). Seasons come around us, often overlap, and sometimes end unceremoniously. From becoming a parent, leaving a workplace environment, or starting college, seasons come and go rapidly. Some of these seasons bring us joy and some bring us grief. “Meaning in the Moment,” by Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah, is 50% memoir, 50% guidance, and 100% formative for each reader as they try to commemorate, celebrate, and grieve these seasons as they come and go.

    The premise of this book is that our bodies need rituals for their spiritual growth and interaction with the mystery of God’s presence. Dr. Davis Abdallah writes (pg 24), “This book, then, is an invitation to ritual mystery, a call to embrace the transformative power of ritual and contemplate it with awe.” For some reason, when we make rituals to commemorate seasons of our lives, we are more able to embrace what God has given us today.

    She begins by establishing why we need rituals, how the Bible gives us permission to make rituals in our worship, and how Church history has used them (such as baptism). Often many protestant evangelical contexts (of which Dr. Davis Abdallah grew up in) neglect rituals for various traditional reasons. Dr. Davis Abdallah points out this irony that we create small and large rituals in our social circles wherever we go. She points out that the Billy Graham “sinner's salvation prayer” was even a form of ritual at the end of his sermon.

    In her explanation of rituals, Dr. Davis Abdallah successfully explains how rituals help regulate our emotions, help us cope with pain, but also help us understand our purpose as well as our place in the community. An example she uses is the idea of college graduation being called commencement. College commencement is the end of a season but also the beginning of another one, hence the use of the word “commencement.” Students are not just sent away from the school and congratulated for their hard work, but they are sent into the world to start the rest of their lives. The ceremony is the ritual that mitigates the end from the beginning. Weddings are of course another example of rituals.

    Dr. Davis Abdallah proposes that rituals are helpful and essential for our growth as believers in community. Some of her most powerful examples came from her experience piloting and leading the women's discipleship program “Woman” at Nyack College. This program gave college age students an opportunity to take ownership over their identity as women of God outside of being married or having a baby. A point that was essential since much of Dr. Davis Abdallah's personal experience and research of evangelicalism is that women struggle to own their identity as women until they accomplish either of the two. Through the discipleship and graduation ritual in this program, many women experienced life change and owned their identities as women as they graduated from their undergraduate degrees.

    Much of this book is also interactive with the reader. At the end of each chapter Dr. Davis Abdallah provides examples of different rituals one can do “Right Now,” “With-Friends,” and “At-Church.” These examples successfully help express how rituals can range from being simple and personal, or being complex and communal, and all in all not “weird” or unhelpful. She goes on to explain “How We Ritualize” and “What We Ritualize” which offer wisdom to the reader to create meaningful rituals in their own journey “Right Now,” “With-Friends,” or “At-Church.”

    All along the way, you sense Dr. Davis Abdallah’s passion for the subject, her vast knowledge of rituals in Church and Biblical history, and a desire to help individuals live their lives in the fullness of Christ. Her personal writing style is captivating as she walks the reader through what she has spent her life learning and experiencing concerning rituals.

    The youngest reader I would recommend this to is high school students due to the reader level and the timeliness this book can offer as they navigate their own transitional seasons. As a whole, this book should be read by any one who feels like they need help moving into the next season of life that God has given them. Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah certainly illustrates, in a biblical and Christ like way, how we can use and acknowledge rituals to bring us closer to the mystery of God’s presence.
    Customer image
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Honoring Each Season

    Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2023
    Our body recognize more seasons than just “Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer” (at least if you’re from New England like myself) or just “Fall-Summer” if you’re from Florida (like my beautiful wife). Seasons come around us, often overlap, and sometimes end unceremoniously. From becoming a parent, leaving a workplace environment, or starting college, seasons come and go rapidly. Some of these seasons bring us joy and some bring us grief. “Meaning in the Moment,” by Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah, is 50% memoir, 50% guidance, and 100% formative for each reader as they try to commemorate, celebrate, and grieve these seasons as they come and go.

    The premise of this book is that our bodies need rituals for their spiritual growth and interaction with the mystery of God’s presence. Dr. Davis Abdallah writes (pg 24), “This book, then, is an invitation to ritual mystery, a call to embrace the transformative power of ritual and contemplate it with awe.” For some reason, when we make rituals to commemorate seasons of our lives, we are more able to embrace what God has given us today.

    She begins by establishing why we need rituals, how the Bible gives us permission to make rituals in our worship, and how Church history has used them (such as baptism). Often many protestant evangelical contexts (of which Dr. Davis Abdallah grew up in) neglect rituals for various traditional reasons. Dr. Davis Abdallah points out this irony that we create small and large rituals in our social circles wherever we go. She points out that the Billy Graham “sinner's salvation prayer” was even a form of ritual at the end of his sermon.

    In her explanation of rituals, Dr. Davis Abdallah successfully explains how rituals help regulate our emotions, help us cope with pain, but also help us understand our purpose as well as our place in the community. An example she uses is the idea of college graduation being called commencement. College commencement is the end of a season but also the beginning of another one, hence the use of the word “commencement.” Students are not just sent away from the school and congratulated for their hard work, but they are sent into the world to start the rest of their lives. The ceremony is the ritual that mitigates the end from the beginning. Weddings are of course another example of rituals.

    Dr. Davis Abdallah proposes that rituals are helpful and essential for our growth as believers in community. Some of her most powerful examples came from her experience piloting and leading the women's discipleship program “Woman” at Nyack College. This program gave college age students an opportunity to take ownership over their identity as women of God outside of being married or having a baby. A point that was essential since much of Dr. Davis Abdallah's personal experience and research of evangelicalism is that women struggle to own their identity as women until they accomplish either of the two. Through the discipleship and graduation ritual in this program, many women experienced life change and owned their identities as women as they graduated from their undergraduate degrees.

    Much of this book is also interactive with the reader. At the end of each chapter Dr. Davis Abdallah provides examples of different rituals one can do “Right Now,” “With-Friends,” and “At-Church.” These examples successfully help express how rituals can range from being simple and personal, or being complex and communal, and all in all not “weird” or unhelpful. She goes on to explain “How We Ritualize” and “What We Ritualize” which offer wisdom to the reader to create meaningful rituals in their own journey “Right Now,” “With-Friends,” or “At-Church.”

    All along the way, you sense Dr. Davis Abdallah’s passion for the subject, her vast knowledge of rituals in Church and Biblical history, and a desire to help individuals live their lives in the fullness of Christ. Her personal writing style is captivating as she walks the reader through what she has spent her life learning and experiencing concerning rituals.

    The youngest reader I would recommend this to is high school students due to the reader level and the timeliness this book can offer as they navigate their own transitional seasons. As a whole, this book should be read by any one who feels like they need help moving into the next season of life that God has given them. Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah certainly illustrates, in a biblical and Christ like way, how we can use and acknowledge rituals to bring us closer to the mystery of God’s presence.
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2024
    Insightful, thought provoking (in a good way), Amy Davis takes away the mystery and negative association that some may have when the word ritual is used. While Amy writes and informs us in terms of rituals, it is not just a book about rituals (something that we are already doing). It is much more than that “Meaning in the Moment” provides us with practical applications allowing the transformative powers of the Holy Spirit to operate in the everyday, every way of our life.

    “Meaning in the Moment” helps us give articulation to what is being sensed in our spirits and bodies through practical applications allowing for enjoyment in our celebrations, encouragement in those other times and relief in those times in between. We are placed in a situation that allows the Holy Spirit to help us remain steadfast and immovable in our faith, help relieve, release and sometimes appreciate how we embody life’s circumstances. We come to recognize the spirit, soul, body connection inherent in our creation as image bearers of God. Additionally, the necessity of allowing God to relieve and release us from the embodiment of what life brings.

    Equally as important. General readers do not be dissuaded. I believe that even those of a different faith or no faith will find enough value in the research and practical applications to create a difference in their daily lives.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
    This book has already proved fruitful in my personal life and ministry context. I will be going back to this resources for years to come. Thank you, Amy!
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    5.0 out of 5 stars
    An excellent resource

    Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
    This book has already proved fruitful in my personal life and ministry context. I will be going back to this resources for years to come. Thank you, Amy!
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2023
    It is no surprise that Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah has masterfully penned "Meaning in the Moment." This deep dive into the value and power of rituals is thought-provoking in the face of life’s inevitable and inescapable changes and transitions.

    After the success of her first work, "The Book of Womanhood"—which became the text for Woman, a rite of passage program she founded over a decade ago—now a more diverse audience can glean tools to engage with their unexpected speedbumps, character-building episodes, and life-altering disappointments. "Meaning in the Moment" is an eye-opening exploration of landmarks in our lives that are worthy of celebration—and not just our glory days. Even uncertainty and pain have purpose.

    A widely respected theology professor, conference speaker and ordained minister, Rev. Dr. Davis Abdallah does not preach at her reader. In fact, woven throughout the book are transparent accounts of how she landed on the other side of moments in her life sometimes marked by pain and sorrow. Even in the scripted language and symbols compiled for use in private or communal rituals, "Meaning in the Moment" is a more suggestive than prescriptive guide.

    This read is one you will revisit for its comprehensive research, resources, and notes. It is also one you will appreciate for the curated rituals and the reverence Davis Abdallah has for making the meaningful moments of our lives matter.
    One person found this helpful
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