Marilyn Sharpe
msharpe@tyfi.org
(952) 405-7303

Marilyn Sharpe knows it’s all about faith! She is the Director of Christian Parenting and Intergenerational Ministries at The Youth & Family Institute. A parent for 34 years, she knows first hand the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and challenges of being a family. A Certified Family Life Educator, Marilyn has been a parent educator for 27 years, committed to helping parents become the best and most effective they can be. She teaches parents to celebrate their strengths, give and receive support, and glean wisdom from other parents. Marilyn helps parents and congregations work together to pass on faith and values to the children we all cherish. She has worked with congregations and school districts, parenting groups and grandparents, community education and camps, retreats, leadership events, teacher training, synods, districts, dioceses and presbyteries. Formerly a high school English teacher and a confirmation teacher and director for 23 years, Marilyn has a passion for kids and their families. She believes that families are the classroom for teaching all that is most important, the crucible for refining the best in each of us, and a safe harbor from life’s storms. She presents with energy, passion and contagious enthusiasm. With a BA from Wellesley College and a MAT from Harvard University, she takes extraordinary joy in both learning and teaching.

Marilyn is adjunct faculty at Luther Seminary and Concordia University, St. Paul and a guest speaker at Augsburg College.

Marilyn Sharpe presents on a wide spectrum of topics about parenting, families, Christian education, and intergenerational ministry. Her areas of expertise include:

The Child In Our Hands
Faith & Skills for Parenting
Congregational Coaching
Four Keys for Nurturing Faith
Sharing faith in families
Christian education of the young child
Confirmation ministries
Parenting around issues of sexuality
Communication in families
Building strong families
Daring to be a parent
Raising responsible kids
Go, make disciples
Sibling rivalry … or not
Traits of healthy families
Dealing with stress in families
Discipline is not a dirty word
Asset building
Vocation: Who am I created to be? What am I called to do?
Parent education in congregations
Creation, care and tending of parent support groups
Intergenerational events
Family retreats and camps
Mother-daughter retreats
Women’s gatherings, retreats and camps

If you have questions, want to book an event or would like another topic tailored to your group, contact Marilyn.

msharpe@tyfi.org
(952) 405-7303