Hey! What's New at the Resource Center??

Dear Friends,

Another snow storm! My friends in the south are bragging about their daffodils and tulips flourishing in the sun, and snow is on the meadow again. My son was begging to wear shorts to school this morning though the thermometer had barely gone above freezing. We're ready for Spring, even if it isn't quite ready to visit.

One of my friends is taking a master gardening class and is trying to mentor me. I found hot pepper seeds on sale, and I'm ready to plant them and let them sprout on my window sills. "Not yet!" Cindy tells me; "They'll be too spindly if you don't wait until the right time."

It's so hard to wait until the right time. When we're ready for a new job, a loved one to return home, school to be finished, Spring to come, we're not very good at enjoying the fullness of time, the waiting and preparing. I get very impatient with God when prayers aren't answered right away, forgetting that maybe God knows more about running the universe than I do.

Lent is a good yearly reminder for me to slow down and meditate on God's purpose for my life. Am I focused on God's plan, or looking too hard for what Leslie wants? My prayer, intermingled with sighs, is "Your will, not > mine. YOUR will, not mine." The amazing thing is when I manage to shut down my petitions and pleas for a few moments, God gets a word in edgewise and grants me peace and a little patience. God is good, all the time!

Go in peace,
Leslie

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HERE'S WHAT'S NEW

The Shadow of Hate: A History of Intolerance in America. The United States has a long and unfortunate history of racism against non-Anglo/Protestant persons: Catholics, Native Americans, Irish, Chinese, and many others. Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, has produced an excellent video documenting hatred from colonial days to the present. The curriculum, designed for middle school children on up, doesn't shrink from our collective shame, but teaches how we can overcome that past for a more tolerant future. VC13.12-1A3 Also available from Teaching Tolerance: America's Civil Rights Movement, VC13.11-1A1

Unfiltered. This new video series for youth is an addition to our "TotalTV Network" library, which have been some of the most acclaimed videos in the Resource Center. Teens like them because the segments are led by youth in ways that may make leaders squirm, but that make being a Christian a real and vital issue. 13 lessons are split into five tapes: God Is Loser-Friendly, Raw Deal, Killer Friendships, Against All Odds, and On the Road: Argentina, which deals with a mission trip. The Leader's Guide makes the series easy to use. VC9.1-19(a-f)

An Improbable Gift of Blessing: Prayers and Affirmations to Nurture the Spirit, by Maren Tirabassi and Joan Jordan Grant. The authors call this book "a diary of prayer." Structured around the church year and focusing on Scripture sampled from all three years of the lectionary, each section proceeds from a Prayer of the Heart, to focus the individual on the Word, into a Bible Study incorporating questions and reflections, then Resources for Congregational Worship, and finally a Prayer beyond the Church, which may focus on anyone from cancer victims to funeral directors, high school teachers, those who suffer abuse, or those who are in therapy. Tirabassi and Grant explore the sometimes scary realm "outside the box" where so many of God's children dwell. United Church Press, 1998. PR3.2A31

Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life; Don't Forgive Too Soon: Extending the Two Hands that Heal; and Healing the Purpose of Your Life. Three books from Dennis Linn, and Matthew Linn, two brothers; and Dennis's wife Sheila Fabricant Linn, all of whom are steeped in theological training. They have formed a team for writing and leading retreats on healing using one's spirituality. Sleeping with Bread comes from the story of World War II German orphans. Afraid they would never see food again, they were suffering immensely from insomnia. Finally, one of their caregivers hit on the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold onto while sleeping. If the child awoke, she or he would have the comfort of that small loaf and be able to sleep once again. It healed their hunger. All three books build on the concept of "sealed orders," or God's purpose for our lives. The Linns focus on two questions to aid healing: for what am I most grateful today? For what am I least grateful? These questions are the building blocks for the practice of examen, and are the basis for healing. Each book is whimsically illustrated by Francisco Miranda, but don't let the illustrations fool you; these are not children's books. Ideal for individual or group study. Paulist Press. PR13.6A104, -105 and -106.

Gently Lead: How to Teach Your Children about God While Finding Out for Yourself. Polly Berrien Berends is a psychotherapist with a remarkable ear and eye for spiritual direction. Throughout this book, she shares small triumphs, bittersweet moments of learning, anecdotes and stories from her own life as she taught her two boys about God's love and mystery. Gently and wisely written, this book is a wonderful guide to Christian parenting. Crossroad Publishing, 1998 (revised edition). PR4.5A55

Fire in the Soul: A Prayer Book for the Later Years. "In a person's later years, the life of prayer is not a luxury-it is an imperative priority," says Richard Lyon Morgan, author of this collection of spiritual manna for older folk, those who take care of them, and those who love them. Sparked with wisdom and wit, these prayers from Morgan and a variety of sources look compassionately at the journey we take toward the end of life. Upper Room, 2000. PR3.2A32

A Circle of Quiet, by Madeleine L'Engle. Part One of The Crosswicks Journal, written while L'Engle and her family were living in their farmhouse, Crosswicks, in small-town Connecticut. L'Engle shares her struggle to maintain a close intimacy with God while her children grow, her New York City thespian husband runs the general store, rejection slips arrive for books she's written, and other major and minor irritations surround her. See also The Summer of the Great-Grandmother and The Irrational Season, also part of the series. PR4.6A52

7 Ways of Teaching the Bible to Adults Educator Barbara Bruce has done a great deal of research on multiple intelligences, or using our whole brains and gifts to learn. In this text, Bruce explains each mode of intelligence and offers two sample lesson plans, one from the Hebrew Scripture and one from the Christian Scripture. Also, she incorporates guidelines and questions for teachers to aid those who wish to delve outside their own preferred methods of teaching. Abingdon, 2000. PR10.6-35. By the same author: Teaching Children Bible Basics: 34 Lessons for Helping Kids Learn to Use the Bible. Abingdon, 1999. PR10.6-36

Songs for LiFE. Though this wire-bound hymnal was designed to accompany Living in Faith Everyday (LiFE) curriculum, it contains familiar and fun songs that would accentuate any church school program. The songbook is split into three parts, Meeting with God's People, Singing God's Story, and Living in God's World. Piano and guitar accompaniment are standard, and some songs offer descants or other instrumental parts. CRC, 1994. PM3.1-42

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NEW & NOTEWORTHY:

RESOURCES FROM GENEVA AND WESTMINSTER JOHN KNOX PRESS

Games Grandmothers Play: Life Lessons on Christian Faith and Grandchildren by Joan Jacobs PR10.6-37

Career and Calling by Ginny Ward Holderness and Forrest C. Palmer PR13.1A51

Creative Styles of Preaching, by Mark Barger Elliot. PR3.4A25.

The Trinity, by Philip W. Butin. Part of the Foundations of Christian Faith series. PR3.1-115

Praying Twice: The Music and Words of Congregational Song, by Brian Wren. PR3.2A32

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Spotlight on Stewardship

GIFTS TO THE RESOURCE CENTER FROM THE SYNOD OF THE NORTHEAST:

Creating Congregations of Generous People by Michael Durall. Good news! Annual pledge drives don't work. Durall offers alternative suggestions for increasing meaningful giving in the church. Alban Institute, 2000. PR1.2-20

Growing Up Generous: Engaging Youth in Giving and Serving by Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Elanah Dalyah Naftali and Laura Musegades. Young people are often more interested in stewardship of all sorts than adults may know. With good guidance and Biblical foundations, young people can learn why giving can help make their world a better place. Alban Institute, 2000. PR1.2-21

Generous Saints: Congregations Rethinking Ethics and Money by James Hudnut-Beumler. "What does the Lord require of us?" A thought-provoking look at interweaving stewardship and ethics. Alban Institute, 1999. PR1.2-22

GIFT OF THE PRESBYTERIAN FOUNDATION:

The Big Book of Presbyterian Stewardship, by Elaine W. Barnett, Laura S. Gordon, and Margaret A. Hendrix. How do people of different generations give? How can a church set up endowment funds? How does our church deal with special offerings? All these topics and many more are covered in this highly organized book, which includes an extensive "Toolbox" of worksheets and thought-provokers. Geneva Press, 2001. PR1.2-19

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CHURCH EDUCATOR'S CORNER:

Organizing a Church Mission Trip?
Resources to Help You

Hosting a Workcamp, by Bruno D. Schroeder. Many of our 60 churches take members on mission trips-to Appalachia, New York City, the North country, the Dominican Republic, and of course Mexico. This booklet offers the nuts and bolts of putting together a trip, including host staffing, choosing lodging and food facilities, task selection, funding, orientation and evaluation. An early chapter focuses on the theology of service. United Church Board for Homeland Ministries, 1994. PR12.1A62

Getting Dirty for Jesus! A Handbook for Organizing Work Trips, by Jayna E. Powell. There are different modes to planning a work trip. While you must have the facilities in place, it is also vital to invite folks to join you, do Bible studies as you prepare to go, as especially, become a team before you go. This manual is full of expert advice ("Be flexible"), ideas for intergenerational or youth trips, worship ideas, fundraising, and even a commissioning service. Volunteers in Mission, 1999 edition. PR12.1A63 The Resource Center has 15 or so copies of this excellent manual to give away, free! Let me know if your church needs one.

The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip, by David C. Forward. If your church is planning an international mission trip, this book can be invaluable. Built on the idea that a group goes primarily to spread the Good News, Forward works extensively on group building. He suggests planning ten mandatory orientation meetings that cover everything from language skills to immunizations to specific training in work tasks, all while engaging in Bible study and cultural awareness. His plan is borne of innumerable trips he has taken and led. Included are a several indices with praise songs, vocabulary lists, packing lists, telephone numbers and even a guide to mission opportunities. Moody Press, 1998. PR12.1A59

Planning an Excellent Adventure. A video to:
* Help groups planning a mission trip or work camp outside the USA;
* Guide the group through the planning process from the conception of the idea through the journey itself. Based on "Having an Excellent Adventure: A Handbook for Responsible Tourism." Study Guide included. PC(USA), 1994. RT 26 min. VC12.1A26

To the Ends of the Earth: Stories of Mission, and A Little Bit Farther: More Stories of Mission "To the Ends of the Earth", by former Moderator Marj Carpenter, who shares her love of mission and her adventures. PR12.1A50 and PR12.1A57.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Don't miss out on what's happening in the Presbytery! Please contact the Presbytery Office for more information on all events

5/4-5/01 Whitman by the Waters For students in grades 5 and 6. Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake.

6/1-2 Grandparent/Grandchild Event Kite flying and Bible study for kids grades K-5 and their grandparents-biological or surrogate. Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake.

6/3 RESOURCE CENTER OPEN HOUSE Held in partnership with the Camp Whitman Chicken Bar-b-Que. Stop by and say hello!

7/24-29 Youth Triennium: Even the Stones Will Shout For youth ages 15-19. 7,000 young Presbyterians will gather for worship and play. Dundee's Adam Travis is helping to put this event together! Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN

10/12-13 Middle School Youth Event For those in grades 6-8. Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake

11/3 Presbytery Day A day to learn about worship, music and more. Penn Yan Presbyterian Church

3/2/02 Leadership Day Keynote speaker will be Jane Parker Huber. Penn Yan Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches

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Using This Newsletter

Hey! What's New at the Resource Center?? is funded by mission dollars from the Presbytery of Geneva. It is published during Presbytery months: January, March, May, September and November; and is distributed to Pastors and Elder Commissioners in the Presbytery packet, and mailed to all Church Education contact persons, as supplied by the 60 churches of the Presbytery of Geneva. We urge you to photocopy and distribute articles and information to members of your congregations as needed.

Grace and peace to you all

HEY! WHAT'S NEW AT THE RESOURCE CENTER??
Published five times per year by The Resource Center at The Presbytery of Geneva

The Resource Center Committee is:
Rev. Susan Husted, Chair
Ruth Millerd, Seneca #9
Nancy Peelle, Dundee
Rev. Beverly Karr-Lyon, Watkins Glen & Moreland
Jan Rao, Geneva
Diana Hovorka, Hornell