News from the Resource Center

Just for Today

Written by Mary Ann Semple February 8, 2012

Just for Today

Smile at a stranger.
Listen to someone's heart.
Drop a coin where a child can find it.
Learn something new and then teach it to someone.
Tell someone that you're thinking of them.
Hug a loved one.
Don't hold a grudge.
Don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry".
Look a child in the eye and tell him or her how great they are.
Don't kill that spider in your house; he's just lost. Show him the way out.
Look beyond the face of a person and into their heart.
Make a promise, and keep it.
Call someone, for no other reason other than to say, "Hi."
Show kindness to an animal.
Stand up for what you believe in.
Smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind.
Author Unknown

Youth Group Resource-Interactive!

Written by Mary Ann Semple January 25, 2012

If you are looking for an interactive youth group curriculum resource, try this link at The Grove for a sample lesson.  This one is on the Good Samaritan and includes video, leader resources, slide show and more.  Resources are available for all age groups from young children to adult.

"Love your neighbor as yourself. And appearances may be deceiving, for everyone is you neighbor"

We have VeggieTales!

Written by Mary Ann Semple November 16, 2011

•  Biblically based lessons from VeggieTales with Companion Curriculum  (discussion guide, memory verses, games and activities):

A Snoodle’s Tale-A Lesson in Self Worth

Gideon: Tuba Warrior- A Lesson in Trusting God

It’s A Meaningful Life- A Lesson in Being Content

Abe and the Amazing Promise- A Lesson in Patience

Lyle the Kindly Viking- A lesson in Sharing

Sumo of the Opera- A lesson in Perseverance

Are You My Neighbor?- A Lesson in Loving Your Neighbor

Duke and the Great Pie War- A Lesson in Loving Your Family

Pistachio: The Little Boy Who Woodn’t- A Lesson in Listening To Your Parents

The Ballad of Little Joe- A Lesson in Facing Hardship

Sweetpea Beauty- A Lesson About True Beauty

Moe and the Big Exit- A Lesson in Following Directions

Esther…The Girl Who Became Queen- A Lesson in Courage

 

 

For Easter

‘Twas the Night Before Easter- A Story of the Real Meaning of Easter

An Easter Carol- A Story of Jesus’ Resurrection

 

For Christmas

Saint Nicholas- A Story of Joyful Giving

The Star of Christmas- A Story of Jesus’ Birth

 

 

•   VeggieTales Lessons From the Sock Drawer- A Collection of Veggie Shorts and Briefs

New for Advent

Written by Mary Ann Semple November 16, 2011

The Characters of Christmas, Advent 2011

New from CenterQuest+The Educational Center, creators of Bible Workbench.

 

This is a 5 part study that can easily be stretched to 10-15 sessions with embedded links to artwork, film clips, music and more to make a wonderful media-filled study.

 

You are invited to “…journey alongside the characters of Christmas this Advent, imaginingwhat it might be like to break all the rules, make outrageous choices, throw caution tothe wind one moment and run for your life at another. We invite you to follow stars and listen to your dreams. We invite you to entertain heavenly hosts and drop everything that seems important to visit a baby you don’t even know. We invite you to venture into the glory-filled darkness of a long winter’s night. We invite you to gestate, birth, adore, bring gifts to and protect the sacred Christ that longs to dwell among us, between us, and within us.”

Get involved with the STORIES of Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Magi!

 

New...Just In!

Written by Mary Ann Semple November 9, 2011

Embracing Emergence Christianity: Phyllis Tickle on the Church's Next Rummage Sale-6 session small group study.

"Author, historian and keen cultural observer Phyllis Tickle invites us to join her in examining the changing face of Christianity and culture. Phyllis surveys 2000 years of Western history, identifying the great upheavals that occur in Western culture and Christianity every 500 years. The last was the Great Reformation of the 1500’s; the next is happening now. What are the implications of this “Great Emergence,” both culturally and spiritually? What are the key questions and issues that need to be addressed? Where might we be headed next? And, perhaps most importantly, where are you, at this moment? Might you be an emergence Christian?

There are six sessions on the DVD. Each session begins with a video presentation by Phyllis
Tickle, lasting from 10-15 minutes. Ms. Tickle’s presentation is followed by filmed interaction with a small group. The Participant Workbook then helps your small group “join the dialogue” in your own setting.

The six sessions are: 1) Emergence 101, 2) Where Now Is the Authority? 3) The 20th Century and Emergence, 4) Gifts from Other Times, 5) How Then Shall We Live? and 6) Hallmarks of Emergence"

SOCIAL MEDIA SAFETY INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

Written by Mary Ann Semple October 8, 2011

Our world and the world of youth to whom we minister continues to change technologically in the way that they interact with one another as well as how we interact with them.  Safe Church practices need to include awareness and guidelines that include the use of Social Media, including email, Facebook, Twitte, YouTube and texting.

 The following downloads are excellent resources that can by used by parishes, youth group leaders and event leaders to provide safe communications between youth and adults.

Province lll, Youth Ministry Network, has developed a pastoral document with guidelines.  Click here to download a copy.

For For Suggested Practices and Guidelines for use of Social Media , developed by the Diocese of Connecticut, CLICK HERE 

EXCITING NEW MATERIALS

Written by Mary Ann Semple October 5, 2011

NEW VIDEO SERIES from Flannel (creators of NOOMA)

Available NOW!

BASIC is a seven part series of short films (with study guides) that challenges us to reclaim the church as scripture describes it to be.
The titles are:
Fear God
Follow Jesus
Who is God?
Fellowship
Teaching
Prayer
Holy Spirit (available soon)

Using the first three films, go more in depth in a small groupstudy with 7 study sessions including film clips, discussion questions, Scripture and Followers Guide, in the BASIC.WHO IS GOD? Small group experience.

Resources for 9-11

Written by Mary Ann Semple August 3, 2011

Resources for Remembering the 10th Anniversary of 9/11
Liturgical resources:

*         For The Episcopal Church (TEC), The Episcopal Peace Fellowship has a
Litany: September 11th a Day of Remembrance" available at their website: 
ttp://epfnational.org/litany-september-11th/ . Other liturgical resources are
vailable here:  http://epfnational.org/resources/worship-resources/.   More
esources may be made available from TEC in the future.

*         The ELCA (Lutherans) have some online resources for remembering the
nniversary of 9/11: "Prayers for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11" 
ttp://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship.aspx

*         The Presbyterian Church (www.pcusa.org<http://www.pcusa.org>) has a
ollection of excellent resources, some specifically outlined below: 
ttp://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/september11/

*         Awareness Sunday:  a curriculum project of the Awareness Foundation
nd the Church of England to promote religious dialogue and tolerance:  "The
oundation was established to help Christians make sense of their faith and
ulture in the 21st century, and to increase awareness of their neighbors'
aiths and cultures, so that they can live in a diverse society without fear and
ithout compromising their beliefs."  This site has been changing over the past
ew weeks, but for liturgical resources go to the home page (http://www.awarenesssunday.com/)
hen look under the tab for "Resources."   The original liturgical materials
ave been taken down but the site promises that updated materials will be added
n the near future.  Though geared for English churches, the "Awareness"
urriculum is available for purchase in the US at http://www.awareness-foundation.com/america.

An Interfaith Ritual:  Have clear glass bowls on the central table in a
ircle, one for each faith present, with a tall clear glass vase in the middle.
ach shall have glass stones inside all of one color (e.g. one bowl all blue
lass stones, one bowl all red glass stones, etc.)   Ask a person from each
aith to step forward, one at a time, and say a prayer of longing, or unity, or
eace, or reconciliation that is sacred to their faith (or them), and then they
hall pour their faith's glass stones into the one common tall glass vase.  At
he end, all the stones will be mixed, a sign of a way to live together in peace
distinct yet united, all beautiful, creating rainbow. All stand in a circle
round the bowls, and say together a prayer of peace.  From the MA Conference of
he UCC:  http://macucc.org/pages/detail/2471#Ritual

For children:

*         Great lectionary-based resource for working with children -  will
robably have lesson for a children's time or chapel lesson for 9/11:
ttp://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/

*         Ministering to Children in a Time of Crisis (updated for 10th
nniversary of 9/11)

http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/ministering-to-children.pdf

Encouraging personal service and participation on September 11:
National Day of Service:  Tools and resources for planning and sharing in
ommunity service projects.
http://www.handsonnetwork.org/nationalprograms/signatureevents/911day
For Clergy:

*         Pastoral care responses to 9/11 and times of grief and tragedy
ncluding a guide to understanding  differing responses to tragedy and disaster
repared by the Presbyterian Church, USA.  http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/september11-pastoral.pdf

*         Annotated resource list for preaching in times of crisis compiled by
on Allen of Christian Theological Seminary:  http://www.sermonmall.com/WTC/postwtcA.html

Curriculum:

*         11 Days of Prayer: This series of daily scripture readings and
rayers and meditations produced by the Presbyterian Church (www.pcusa.org<http://www.pcusa.org>)
re really quite good.  In its present format it can be printed out as a
andout.  However, consider daily EMAILS to parishioners, or perhaps even TEXTS
r TWEETS of the material.  These well-written and crafted pieces have the
otential to help people establish a daily practice of prayer, reading, and
eflection. http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/eleven_days_of_prayer.pdf

*         Personal Stories of Transformation from 9/11: This online,
ideo-based curriculum, though designed for 5th - 12th graders in public
chools, can be used with adults as well as youth.  The stories are well-filmed
nd provide examples of those who made positive meaning out of the horror and
ragedy of 9/11.   http://www.tributewtc.org/programs/toolkit.html

*         Adult church school lessons on remembering 9/11 published by the
resbyterian Church.  These could be used as a midweek session or on Sunday,
eptember 11th during an education hour or after church.  The first lesson helps
dults examine their feelings in light of their faith around 9/11.  The second
esson looks at scripture and the assurance that God is present even in the
idst of disasters and pain, and examines how Christians continue to live in
ope.  The third possible lesson helps adults, and particularly parents, to look
t talking with their children and others and to be especially mindful of
ocabulary and the meanings behind words. http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/adult-study-sessions.pdf.

*         "Where is God when Disaster Strikes?"  This adult study is from The
houghtful Christian online publishing house and made available for free use: 
ttp://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/september11/pdfs/disaster-strikes.pdf

*        Remember 9/11 by confronting Islamophobia - lessons for children and
outh -- This page of resources from Teaching Tolerance (a public education
roject of the Southern Poverty Law Center) has lesson plans for elementary,
iddle and high schools concerning religious diversity in America in general,
nd Islam in particular.  Consider using parts or all of these lessons when
hildren and youth ask about the differences between Christianity and other
eligions like Islam. http://www.tolerance.org/print/blog/commemorate-911-confronting-islamophobia


Remember your Public Library!   A quick search in the Minuteman Library System
n Massachusetts revealed many, many resources around 9/11, especially DVDs.

Resources prepared by Amy Cook, Missioner for Education, Formation &
iscipleship for the Episcopal Diocese of MA

How can we be your GOOGLE?

Written by Mary Ann Semple June 22, 2011

The Diocesan Resource Center wants to be your GOOGLE!!!

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Stewardship Resources

Written by Mary Ann Semple June 22, 2011

Stewardship Resources!
As you prepare for your fall Stewardship campaign, check out our list of resource links on the left of the page.  We have listed resources compiled by various diocese as well as others. If you need an idea for a campaign theme, resources to run a successful campaign or just plain encouragement, there is something there for everyone!