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Summer Closure As usual, the Resource Center for Churches will be closed for four weeks this summer. A staff member will check messages once a week and attempt to respond to urgent situations, but please try to make your plans in advance. Resources reserved for use during and immediately following our summer break will be sent out in advance. Exact dates to be announced. New Resources The
Resource Center for Churches is always acquiring new resources.
WEBSITES: http://www.hymnsite.com
For Your Children: Creating Communities of Faith in Our Families by Martha Bettis Gee (Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, 2006). There are 168 hours in the week; children spend 1-2 hours at church each week. The church cannot be solely responsible for forming faith in our children. We must re-engage the home as a primary setting for faith formation. Gee presents the idea that families serve as a small group for the children present, with parents serving as small group leaders. This resource offers tools for pastors and educators as they serve in ministry with these small groups: background information, an introductory workshop plan, rituals for everyday times and liturgical seasons, two annontated bibliographies, over fifty prayers and 100 conversation cards, and a CD-Rom for use in sharing the materials with families in your congregation. (BK3270) Practicing Discernment with Youth: A Transformative Youth Ministry Approach by David F. White (Pilgrim Press, 2005). "Over the last half-century," White says, "congregational youth ministry has undergone a separation from its own sense of place. The expectations, imaginations, and practices of youth ministry are more likely to originate in Southern California, Colorado, or denominational headquarters than they are within the unique and particular setting of the congregation." How can responsibility for youth ministry be returned to local congregations? White uses historical discernment practices in Christian communities, such as Ignatian contemplative practices, Quaker clearness counsels, consensus decision making, and silence. He also draws on the practice of Biblical reflection that emerged from the Protestant Reformation and the practice of social analysis from Latin American base communities. The book is divided into two parts. In Part One, White describes a theologically based youth program. In Part Two, he outlines a practical program so that local youth ministers can engage groups in reflection and discussion. (BK3220) The Thoughtful Christian (Westminster John Knox Press) is new on-line resource for adult education in the church. It was developed after extensive consultation with Christian educators, pastors, volunteers, and others involved in Christian education. Appropriate for use in a variety of settings--Sunday school, evening discussions, weekend retreats, personal study and devotion--there are studies on a variety of topics, arranged by category: Bible and Theology, Spirituality, Christian Living, Contemporary Issues, and Popular Culture. New studies are added to the site on a regular basis. Each session is designed for a one-hour class period and comes with a participant guide and a leader's guide (available for download, printing and photocopying in Acrobat PDF format). Through a contribution from the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, we have purchased a 12-month subscription and have downloaded all available studies for preview and will update our notebook with new studies throughout the year. A visit to the website--www.thethoughtfulchristian.com--will allow you to view a sample session, browse through the biographies of the authors, explore a list of available topics, and purchase individual lessons, bundles, or an annual subscription. Abstinence Comes to Albuquerque. Documentary of abstinence education in one public school system in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the controversy that ensued. Includes a session of questions and answers from national experts. (DV99) Living the Questions (DVD, 12 sessions). Billed as a progressive alternative to Alpha, this DVD and web-based small group study helps participants move beyond tradition and rote theology. Sessions include: conversations with leading theologians, church leaders, sociologists, and biblical scholars; sermon and lecture clips; digital stories illustrating aspects of an evolving faith; concrete spiritual practices (e.g. lectio divina, body prayer, journaling); spiritual disciplines (centering, openness,...); and suggestions for engagement in acts of social justice. (DV67) Exploring
God's Purpose for Your Life (DVD, 45 minutes, six sessions). This
resource is designed to help young people explore God's will for their
lives. The six sessions include: God has a Purpose for Your Life; Seeking
God; Obstacles to Hearing God; Trusting God; Making Decisions; Steps of
Faith. (DV69) Gabella/People of Stone (VHS, 20 minutes total). Both Gabella and People of Stone pair still-life illustrations with narration. What is logical is not always true and what is true is not always logical. In Gabella a clown discovers his true self and learns that what is most important is ato always be true to oneself and one's beliefs, recalling Psalm 139. People of Stone is a parable that teaches that love has the power to warm hearts and tranform the world, recalling Matthew 25:31-46 and Luke 10:25-37. (VD4042) The Dividing Wall (DVD, 23 minutes). This video explores the humanitarian, social and political impact of the Israeli-built "security fence." Meet families and farmers whose lives have been devastated by Israel's separation wall. Be inspired by Israelis and Palestinians who are working for a future of bridges instead of walls. (DV 55) Iraq: Emerging Vocies (DVD, 22 minutes). Hear a different story and see a different picture of Iraq--the Iraq of ordinary individuals, households, and neighborhoods. Listen to Iraqi people who are finding their voice, expressing what they have experienced over the past 30 years and their dreams for the future. (DV 62) Is This the Time (DVD, seven sessions). Featuring Dr. Craig Koester, professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, this series helps viewers discover Revelation's message of God's love and hope for the world. It provides a much-needed, truly biblical perspective on what is arguably the most difficult book of the Bible, shrouded in symbolism prophecy, confict and fear. (DV54) Peace DVD Especially for Youth (DVD, six sessions, multiple video clips totaling 120 minutes). This resource inspires youth (and adults) to imagine what the world would be like if every person tried to make it a more peaceful place. Each sessions incorporates: video clips, scripture passages, discussion questions, and an assignment. (DV64) Going Public with Your Faith (DVD/VHS, six sessions). In six thought-provoking and empowering sessions, this resource walks a group through a proven approach to evangelism that respects the unique relationships peaple have with their co-workers, clients, or customers. Thermostat: How Can We Turn Toward Peace in a Time of Fear? (DVD, 33 lessons, 180 minutes of video footage). This resource incorporates a variety of teaching approaches--Bible studies, role plays, stories, images, poetry, video clips, rap, and drama--to encourage intergenerational conversation and learning about war, peace, and Christian conscience. The 33 lessons are arranged into units that explore: peacemaking, imagination, allegiance, security, terrorism, camouflage, and nonvoilence. (DV61) Walking the Path Jesus Walked (DVD, 24 minutes). In this video, Christians from Egypt, Palestine, and Syria talk about their lives and their faith communities, many of which follow traditions that stretch back to the time of Christ. Christians talk about how their faith calls them to model Jesus Christ, speaking out against--and resisting--injustice nonviolently and relating to people of other faiths in a peaceful manner. David, the Shepherd King. Sample unit from the workshop rotation curriculum "Come Join the Circle." (CR1181) The NRSV Children's Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments: New Revised Standard Version. Includes callouts, glossary, maps, introductions to each book, and artwork. (BK3368) Butterflies Under Our Hats by Sandy Sasso. A story inspired by a Jewish folktale about a town where everything always went wrong. (CL251) The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood. A spiritual homage to nature and the world that offers the promise of discovery of the happiest secret of all. (CL244) Print Resources on Pastoral Ministry Book of Occasional Services 2003. Liturgies, litany, collects, blessings, and other prayers, with hymn suggestions. (BK3366) Doing Holy Business: The Best of the Vestry Papers. Expert advice on church management compiled from "Vestry Papers," a newsletter published by the Episcopal Church Foundation. (BK3363) Enriching Our Music 1: Canticles and Settings for the Eucharist. From the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music; new service music for the church. (BK3364) Enriching Our Music 2: More Canticles and Settings for the Eucharist. More new canticles and compositions for the Eucharist in a variety of styles. (BK3365) Igniting Worship Series - 40 Days with Jesus: Worship Services and Video Clips on DVD. Resources for pastors and worship leaders to build effective worship experiences, appropriate for Lenten season. (BK3373) Igniting Worship Series - The Seven Deadly Sins: Worship Services and Video Clips on DVD. Resources for pastors and worship leaders for eight services on deadly sins and lively virtues. (BK3372) Worship Feast Readings: 50 Readings, Rituals, Prayers, and Guided Meditations. Resource for creating a postmodern worship service--multi-sensory, whole-person experience--especially for youth groups. (BK3371) Print Resources for Parenting and Ministry with Children Children's Books that Nurture the Spirit by Louise Margaret Granahan. An introduction to quality children's literature for spiritual development. The most current and readily available children's literature is reviewed and suggestions are made for ways leaders can use and extend the literature. (BK3157) Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey by Catherine Stonehouse. A discussion of different approaches to Christian education with emphasis on an approach focused on spiritual formation. (BK3123) 101 Reasons to Be Episcopalian, complied by Louie Crew. Portions of a list made by thousands of people online fill a charming, pocket-sized celebration of the Episcopal Church. There is much to celebrate in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition. (BK3383) Are You Running with Me, Jesus? Deeply personal prayers containing a struggle of courage and agony. (BK3379) In Times Like These: How We Pray. A variety of individuals tell stories of how they pray, how they began or stopped praying, and how prayer saved their lives. (BK3384) The Miter Fits Just Fine: A Story About the Right Reverend Barbara Clementine Harris by Mark Bozzuti-Jones. A warm and caring glimpse of the first woman, an African-American, to be ordained a bishop in the Anglican Communion. (BK3377) Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. The author, a reporter, examines first hand how to survive on $6 an hour, revealing low-wage America in a book that is changing the way America perceives its working poor. (BK3370) Prayer is a Place: America's Religious Landscape Observed by Phyllis Tickle. The author writes of her face-to-face meetings with the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the Chief Mullah of Jerusalem, and reminds readers that reverence can be expressed in many different forms and in many different settings. (BK3382) Sacred Unions. Help for couples in dealing with their relationship, their duty to others, and their accountablity to the community of faith, as they explore their own true love and permanent union. (BK3380) The Shattering Sound of Amazing Grace: Disquieting Tales from Saint John's Gospel by David J. Schlafer. The author examines characters from the Gospel of John in light of C.S. Lewis's quote "Every idea we form of God, God must, in mercy, shatter," and John Newton's hymn, "Amazing Grace." (BK3378) Welcome to the New Year: An Introduction to the Seasons of the Episcopal Church. For newcomers and lifelong members of the Episcopal Church, answering questions in a conversational style to help readers participate in the liturgies of the Church year in a deeper way. (BK3381) Updated 7/3/06
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