What does keeping dinner as a family have to do with faith formation? Shaping Families radio program turns the tables this week to interview producer Melodie Davis, the author of a new book, Whatever Happened to Dinner? Recipes and Reflections for Family Mealtime (Herald Press, October 2010).

The book and accompanying 13-week study guide for church school classes and small groups includes short stories and illustrations on foods and mealtime traditions in the Bible, as well as inspiration for making the effort to keep family mealtime a priority and how that applies to Christian values. 

Davis is a longtime syndicated columnist for Mennonite Mission Network through the Another Way and Heart & Soul newspaper columns. Readers of Another Way contributed ideas to the columns and book, and Shaping Families speakers and staff contributed recipes to the book. The 90-some recipes were tested by food editors Jodi Nisly Hertzler and Carmen Wyse, who will be guests on the Shaping Families program next week. A YouTube video for the book was created by Wayne Gehman.

The radio program airs each weekend on 18 local stations and online at www.ShapingFamilies.com. For weekly program updates, sign up for “Shaping Families Update” at “Subscribe.” Also featured at the website is a weekly blog by host Burton Buller, a weekly recipe from Shaping Families staff and contributors, a study guide for small groups and Sunday school classes, and many additional resources. Shaping Families is produced by Third Way Media through Mennonite Mission Network.