Faith in action: heritage literacy as a synchronisation of belief, word and deed

Abstract

The concept that literacies are best understood when examined in their context has been promoted for decades by socio-cultural literacy researchers such as Brian Street and Shirley Brice Heath. Street's term 'literacy practice' is a combination of the actual 'events of literacy' and the cultural, social and political underpinnings that surround the event. Further, others in literacy studies have explored literacy in church settings. In this article, I explore the concept of faith as a heritage literacy practice. The combination of empirical literacy artefacts, such as biblical scripture used on everyday objects, the literacy events of acting out one's faith, and the 'folk models' or ways of conceptualising these events together make faith a literacy practice. Further, the ways that people adopt, adapt or alienate themselves from faith mark it as a heritage literacy practice. The following article examines the synchronisation of faith and action, specifically as it was exemplified in one northern Indiana Amish community and one multigenerational family.

6. Faith and Language Maintenance in Transnational Places of Worship: Brazilian Christian Settings in London

“…As acknowledged by Rumsey (2010) herself, it is difficult to differentiate between religion and faith, as these concepts overlap and are intertwined. Nevertheless, the point she makes is that faith comprises beliefs, actions and artefacts and thus aligns with Street's (1995) definition of literacy practices as incorporating "not only 'literacy events', as empirical occasions to which literacy is integral, but also folk models of those events [i.e.…”

Hymns, prayers and Bible stories: the role of religious literacy practices in children’s literacy learning

“…Religious literacy is often defined in relation to a person's ability to act on their religious understandings and beliefs, displaying ideas and behaviours that are deemed to be in accordance with their faith (Rumsey 2010, Wright 1993. Departing from this, the understanding of religious literacy that I draw on in this paper is informed by a social practices perspective on reading and writing.…”

“…Multimodality was a common feature of the religious literacy practices that I witnessed in the school and which I discuss in this paper. It is important not to forget though that sacred texts such as the Bible or the Qur'an play a decisive role in guiding a person's practice and behaviour as a believer (Rumsey 2010, Rosowsky 2008).…”

Translating Faith: Field Narratives as a Means of Dialogue in Collaborative Ethnographic Research

“…She explains how her mixed ethnicity (Algerian and Greek) and non-religious stance were sometimes seen as a problem by some of her informants who attempted to change her into a practicing Muslim. Other researchers suggest that being a member of the faith is a crucial criterion for acceptance as a researcher in the faith setting (Rumsey, 2010).…”