Presbytery of Geneva Resource Center
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Vol. 2, No. 2 March 1999
Editor: Leslie Latham
Dear Friends,
The sun is casting a glorious shadow of the tree by my window onto the unbroken vast snow field that fronts my desk. Truly, this is an example of God's wondrous ability to create beauty in a world that sometimes doesn't seem so great. We live out the ups and downs, and just keep plugging. Leadership Day, with Sister Anne Alderman and the rest of the workshop leaders, had to be canceled because God decided to try and relieve our drought (well, it's a possible explanation, isn't it?). To try and give a little insight into what you would have learned on March 6, page 2 offers a section on Adult Bible Studies with an emphasis on Spiritual Growth and Faith Development. Some of the resources are in print format, some in video, so you should be able to find something which appeals to your study group. If not, give me a call. May you and your loved ones enjoy the miracle of Easter. Christ is risen; he is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Leslie
New Resources
Different Members, One Body was produced in response to Overture 95-46 from the 207th General Assembly (1995). The result is a delightful glimpse into churches around the nation which are making themselves accessible in every sense of the word. The book is jammed with concrete suggestions for architecture, worship, media within and outside of worship, events and publications. An incredibly useful resource. Surprising Grace: People, Disabilities, Churches, a video produced by the Presbyterian Church (USA), can help your church become a place for worship for all of God's children, regardless of individual gifts. Use the close-captioned video and accompanying guide as a single study session, officer training, a retreat, or part of a larger effort to include all.
Reaching Out to You: An Orientation Guide for Visitors to the United States is probably not for the person reading this newsletter. If someone in your church is hosting a foreign exchange student or a family from another land, this is for those people. How do telephones in the US work? What are all those different colored and sized coins worth? What are the customs and traditions in this country? How do people express their faith? These and more issues are addressed in this handy booklet. Additional copies are for sale at the Resource Center for $3.00 (that's roughly 30 pesos, 50 francs, £4.50...).
Grand Friends, Young Friends highlights a growing trend in confirmation programs: mentoring. A leader pairs up a young person and an older person who then create a covenant for their six-week program of activities. The process, which starts with an overnight or one-day retreat and ends with a commissioning service, is designed to establish a deep intergenerational friendship based on Biblical, especially Old Testament, foundations, so confirmands more fully understand what it means to be a servant and member of their church.
STILL AVAILABLE: Filmstrips, records, curriculum, Vacation Bible School kits, all yours for the taking. First come, first served. Act quickly; spring cleaning fever is about to strike the Resource Center!
Adult Bible Studies
SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Printed Resources
PR4.5A18 What Kind Of God Is God?
PR4.5A32 Encountering God, by Elaine Ward
PR4.6A2 Peter: A Journey In Faith
PR4.6A9 The Pilgrimage Project: Renewing Our Sense Of God's Presence And Purpose PR4.6A15 A Christian Primer: The Prayer, The Creed, The Commandments
PR4.6A29 Like A Garden
PR4.6A35 The Helper: A 13-Session Study Course On The Holy Spirit
Video Resources
VC4.5A8 Questions Of Faith
VC4.5A9 Questions Of Faith II
VC4.5A11 Questions Of Faith III
VC4.5A12 Confessing Christ Today
VC4.5A13 Questions Of Faith IV
VC4.5A16 Faith & Reason III
VC4.5A17 Carpe Diem
VC4.6A2 People Like Us (Pentecost)
VC4.6A4 Life On The Edges (Pentecost)
VC4.6A5 The Potter And The Clay
VC4.6A6 A Visit To Morin
VC4.6A8 Sacred Stories
VC4.6A9 The Struggles Of Faith
VC4.6A11 Following Christ Today: Reformed Spirituality
VC4.6A12 Discovering Everyday Spirituality
VC4.6A13 Wrestling With Angels
VC4.6A14 Signs Of The Times
VC4.6A15 How To Live Like A Christian In A Pagan World
Pentecost Resources
Pentecost. Learning centers for grades 1-6. Enough materials for four one-hour sessions or for a retreat or intergenerational church family event.
Pentecost: A Festival of Peace and Joy. Learning centers for youth and adult. Similar to the set above.
Things to Make & Do for Pentecost. A plethora of reproducible, hands-on ideas for children.
Come Holy Spirit: Renew the Whole Creation is the theme chosen for the Seventh Assembly of the World Council of Churches (Canberra, Australia, 7-20 February, 1991). This book contains six Bible studies based around the Assembly theme. Each study includes three Biblical references, a commentary, comments from people around the world, and questions for discussion. Appropriate for Pentecost or for any other time during the church year. Adult study.
Pentecost, Penny-Cost, Cost- A-Penny Power. A one-act drama for any number of participants.
The Day Of Pentecost. A musical drama.
I Am Coming to You. Video support for the Pentecost Offering.
To borrow any resource, please contact Leslie at the Resource Center: (315) 536-7753 or resctr@eznet.net.
Upcoming Events
All these events will be held at Camp Whitman:
4/23-24 Youth Work Camp
For youth in grades 8-12
4/30-5/1 What's A Youth To Do?
Sr. High Youth Event
4/30-5/1 Whitman By The Waters
For youth in grades 5 and 6
6/4-5 Do I Know You?
Grandparent Grandchild Event, For youth in grades k-5 and their grandparents
6/6 Camp Whitman BBQ and Resource Center Open House
For everyone!
6/8 The Churched and the Unchurched
Pastor's Event with Tex Sample