God in America

Yesterday's Daily Break section of the Virginian Pilot highlighted the Top 10 TV Shows of 2010.  Among the 10 'top examples of when TV soared' this year was the PBS series, God in America.  Here's the article's summary:

     "In this six-hour documentary, "Frontline" and "American Experience" joined forces to tell the story of America with religious faith as its narrative thread.  Religious liberty was a founding principle that helped shape America's identity, and this film, spanning 400 years, surveys the rough-and-tumble competition of the religious free market that resulted."

This resource tells the sweeping and dramatic story of religious life in America, examining more than 500 years of American religious history, from the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the 2008 presidential election. Examine this history as it has played out in public life, exploring the complex interaction between religion and democracy in the United States; the origins of the American concept of religious liberty; the dynamics of the ever-evolving American religious marketplace; and more. The series explores its themes through a series of emblematic stories of the country's religious history, and the political and spiritual journeys of important historical figures.

Included are Disc One, Episode One: A New Adam; Disc One, Epidsode Two: A New Eden; Disc Two, Episode Three: A Nation Reborn; Disc Two, Episode Four: A New Light; Disc Three, Episode Five: Soul of a Nation; Disc Three, Episode Six: Of God and Caesar.

Also included on Disc Three: bonus behind the scenes videos and printable materials (study guide, eight Visiting Sacred Spaces guides, and viewing party tool kit).

This multi-DVD documentary is available at the PEVA Resource Center... 

check it out and learn more 

about how religion carved our nation's history,

and consider it for a small group study

in the coming year. 

 

Merry Christmas!

Joy, peace, and hope to you as you celebrate the birth of Christ!

Your savior is born today in David’s city. 

He is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Cokesbury VBS Preview!

Great news! I’ve just received word that the dates/times are set for the VBS preview at the Chesapeake Cokesbury store are set:

Thursday, January 27th, at 12:00 noon and again at 3:00 pm.
Saturday, January 29th, at 10:00 am (with the Group Publishing representative) and again at 12:30 pm.

PLEASE remember to RSVP for this special event by calling the Cokesbury store, (757) 312-0084.


As an additional note, Augsburg Fortress will not be publishing a traditional Vacation Bible School curriculum this year. Augsburg is offering the new ‘green’ VBS curriculum introduced last year: ReNew. Learn more about this exciting option by clicking here.

Hurried and worried?

Is the rush and stress of the holiday season getting you down?  There's still time to find ideas for living more simply and rediscovering what Advent and Christmas are really about.  Check out Ideas for Reclaiming Advent and Christmas from PC USA's Enough for Everyone ministry.  This 4-page downloadable booklet offers great ideas for incorporating prayer, responsible gift-giving, and serving sustainable holiday meals.  The booklet also lists resources for further study.

Here's an excerpt from the Holiday Gifts section:

"Holiday Gifts
The Magi traveled a long distance to bring gifts to Jesus. Their gifts honored the child and provided for the family. Today, gift giving can be a tricky topic. Like the Magi, we should find humble gifts that honor our loved ones while honoring Christ and remembering why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

   Meals: Give the promise of food and meals to people on your list. Promising to eat lunch with loved ones at their workplace or school once a month is a great way to spend more time together.
   Homemade Gifts: Knitted items, framed photos, handcrafted toys, works of art, and other personally made gifts show care and concern for the recipients because they require time and thought to create.
   Commitment: Make a commitment to someone this season. Find ways to serve the people on your list by committing to care for them. You might shovel snow, prepare meals, plan events, or schedule a vacation."

Enjoy a simple, sane, and sustainable holiday!

January Educators Luncheon - Be I.G.

Educators, Youth Leaders, Pastors, Volunteers, you are invited to the next Educators Luncheon to be held at the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia Resource Center.  Mark your calendars now and bring your lunch on  Thursday, January 6th, at noon for a great time of learning and sharing together. 

January's topic offers BIG ideas for Being I.G.! To grow as a church family means celebrating our similarities and exploring our differences among all ages.  In short, it means being intentional about being intergenerational (I.G.).  This presentation will include 'field tested' I.G. events for small and large groups.  Discover ways to engage all ages in fun, biblical, historical, and seasonal activities within your small or large congregation.  Tweak 'em and own 'em.  Jacqui Horton, DCE at First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, will bring her creativity and enthusiasm to share with all!

Please RSVP to Donna Rae Barrow, Resource Center Director at PEVA, before Tuesday, January 4th, by calling 757-397-7063 or sending a message to donnarae@pcusa-peva.org. 

Thoughtful Christian Sale!

The Thoughtful Christian is an online resource center and marketplace featuring downloadable studies for youth, adults, and parents, as well as thousands of books from many of the most compelling authors in the fields of Christianity, spirituality, and religion. 

And they're having a 12 Days of Christmas Sale!

Beginning December 6 through December 17, customers can take advantage of great deals on books as well as subscriptions and renewals to The Thoughtful Christian downloadable Sunday school resources.

A new special will be added each day, along with FREE shipping on book orders of $25 or more. To view the "12 Days of Christmas" calendar, featuring a listing of the specials available each day... click HERE and enjoy the savings!

Jesse Tree resources, and a free download!

Welcome to December... a time of waiting and watching in wonder! 

One way to enhance this time of expectation is to create a Jesse Tree. A Jesse Tree is a small tree decorated with symbols portraying the spiritual heritage of Jesus, a royal family tree of sorts.  Check out these resources to get started:

The Jesse Tree: Stories and Symbols of Advent

This lovely book, written in 1966 by Raymond and Georgene Anderson, shares the heritage of Jesus in stories and symbols.  The Resource Center has used this book to create a bulletin board Jesse Tree that climbs up the wall and over part of the ceiling, symbols floating for all to enjoy!





 The Jesse Tree

In this modern-day story,  the symbols are added day by day during the season of advent, and day by day the old stories are retold, culminating in the stories of the first Christmas.  Whether the twenty-four stories in this book are read during Advent or enjoyed one afternoon in mid-summer, they are a great addition to the understanding of Advent and the Jesse tree for all ages.





There are lots of activities and recipes and Bible studies out there in 'Blog-land', but I recently found this sweet one from Ann at A Holy Experience.  It's free, downloadable, printable, and includes some lovely ornaments to cut out for each day's reading.  In addition to the daily scripture, there are meditations, prayers, and ways to 'unwrap His love in the world' - small gestures to share the good news.  Click HERE to learn more about downloading this resource.

Happy Thanksgiving!

May the enduring love of our Creator

fill us with gratitude and responsibility

for all we have been given.

Amen.

From "For Everything There is a Season: 75 Blessings for Daily Life," a wonderful resource filled with preparation, welcoming thoughts, prayers, Bible texts, reflections, ritual actions, and blessings for all the seasons of our lives. 

Youth Resources coming soon!

Two new items for youth are on their way to the Resource Center:

   InSight: Harry Potter (15 minute DVD with guide for discussion) – InSight, the unique new series from Stephen Skelton (The Mayberry Bible Study, Gilligan's Island & the Seven Deadly Sins Bible Study, etc.) is focused on hot topics at the intersection of culture and Christianity. Engaging entertainment from a faith perspective, each entry in the series will equip you to reach youth, adults, and seekers by asking three relevant questions. In InSight: Harry Potter, you’ll discover the answers to:

   What does the author say? – Learn why Rowling said her belief in God inspired Harry Potter

   What does the story say? – Uncover Harry’s prophecy, ‘power’ of love, and title of ‘chosen one’

   What does the Bible say? – Find out which two Bible verses Rowling said summarize the series

   Complete with direct quotes from the author, an overview of major Christian imagery in the series and discussion questions in the guide, InSight : Harry Potter equips you to start a conversation with a cultural hot topic only to lead into a talk about the more important matters of the Christian faith.

   the me I want to be: becoming God’s best version of you: teen edition / John Ortberg with Scott Rubin – God’s best version of you is waiting. But first, John Ortberg has two very important questions:

   Are you REALLY LIVING = full of joy and peace, in harmony with God, others, self; curious, willing to learn and experience opportunities to grow toward the Best Version of yourself;

OR

   Are you DECAYING = lacking mental and emotional energy, feeling uneasy and not very content, too self-focused?

   Ortberg has some intriguing answers to those questions in this curriculum and will help youth guage spiritual health and deal with real issues faced as a teen in today’s world.  The five sessions, each planned for approx. 60 minutes in length, include: Discovering the Spirit; Renewing My Mind; Redeeming My Time; Deepening My Relationships; Transforming My Experiences. This curriculum kit contains: 1 softcover book; 1 participant's guide; 1 DVD with five video session and leader’s guide.

Gluten-free Gingerbread

As the season for building houses and stables and cottages with gingerbread approaches, please remember to be inclusive.  Many of our friends beside us in our churches have discovered a sensitivity to gluten.  I went searching and found the following recipe on the web, checked it with a doctor mom of a gluten-sensitive child, and it's safe!  Tried this recipe over the weekend... it's delicious!!!  We'll be using this recipe at our church's Advent workshop so that EVERYONE can partake.

 Gingerbread for Cookies & Houses (GFCF)

This is a sturdy, versatile dough that is just right for gingerbread cookies — either crispy or chewy — and for the walls and roof of your allergen-free, gluten-free, casein-free gingerbread house. The cookies are not super- sweet, so they work well for icing. (I used royal icing for the gingerbread house; many recipes can be found online.)

This recipe does freeze very well. Thaw in the fridge, then bring to room temp before rolling.

(12/13/09 Note: It’s getting harder to find amaranth flour. Today, I made the cookies, substituting 1⁄2 cup quinoa flour and 1⁄2 cup millet flour for the amaranth, and they turned out great. I also altered the amounts of sweet rice flour and brown rice flour. ALSO — Bob’s Red Mill Brown Rice flour seems to be milled more finely than Arrowhead Mill’s. If you use Arrowhead Mill’s, expect your cookies to be a tad grittier.)

GFCF Gingerbread Cookies
Makes about 8 dozen medium-sized cutout cookies
•    1 cup amaranth flour
•    2 cups potato starch 
•    3 cups sweet rice flour 
•    3 cups brown rice flour 
•    2 Tbsp xanthan gum 
•    3 Tbsp baking powder
•    3 Tbsp potato flour (optional) 
•    2 Tbsp ground ginger (or more, if you like ‘em really gingery) 
•    1 Tbsp ground allspice 
•    1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 
•    1 1/2 tsp ground cloves 
•    3 cups powdered sugar 
•    2 cups dark brown sugar 
•    2 cups shortening 
•    1 cup eggs (depending on size, 4-5 eggs. Measure into a glass measuring cup.) 
•    1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp dark molasses (OR 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses) 
•    1 Tbsp salt
1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2.    In a large bowl, with a whisk, mix together the flours, starch, xanthan gum, baking powder, and
spices until well-combined. Set aside. 
3.    In another large bowl, cream together the powdered and brown sugars, shortening, eggs, molasses and salt. 
4.    To the sugar mixture, add flour mixture, about 2 cups at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon. Once the flour mixture is mostly incorporated, knead the dough in the bowl, slowly punching the dough down in the middle and folding the sides of the dough into the middle. Or, put the dough on a non-stick surface (like a silicone mat or a marble slab), and knead it on there. Incorporate all the flour mixture until you have a stiff dough.
5.    If the dough is too dry, and will not hold all of the flour, add a Tbsp of water at a time until it will gather into a ball. Resist adding water if at all possible. The dough works best if it is not very moist.
6.    If you refrigerate or freeze the dough, bring to room temp before rolling. For the most uniform cookies, and definitely for the large sections required for gingerbread houses, roll the dough right onto a large piece of foil or parchment, then pick up the sheet and transfer to the cookie sheet. Working with about 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll the dough 1/4′′ thick.  From this dough, either cut sections for your gingerbread house from a template, or use cookie cutters.
7.    Greasing the pan is not necessary, but I favor using nonstick foil. For best results, use insulated pans. (Hint: for your own insulated pans, take two regular jelly roll pans, and between them, add a layer of heavy duty aluminum foil that has been wrinkled, then partially smoothed out. This will create an air gap between the two pans.)
8.    If you roll your cookies to 1/4′′ thickness and bake on insulated pans as suggested, baking time is 19 minutes. If your cookies are thinner, and/or you’re using thinner pans, bake time will be shorter. When done, the corners of your cookies will just start to brown, and the middles will no longer feel spongy. Also, you can bake for 16-17 minutes to produce a softer, chewier cookie (this is not recommended for gingerbread houses, though).

Shepherd's Speedy Snacks

Christmas Extras: Faith Filled Ideas for Celebrating Christmas by Jan Kershner is one of the new books at the Resource Center, and it's filled with lots of fun and easy projects for the Advent season.  The projects each have an objective, supply list, time needed, preparation steps, and even what to say and ask the children as they work on the project.

I'm on the team designing the Advent workshop at my church:  Preparing the Way at Providence.  Like most Advent workshop events, there will be stations for creating Advent wreaths and Chrismons, a corner for stories to be read, tables of fair trade wares, and yummy refreshments.  But what I was looking for was a fresh approach to 'getting the word out' about the event.  That's when I read Christmas Extras and came across Shepherd's Speedy Goodies on page 22.  Perfect!

I started off at the computer, developing a topper for the bag that would contain what I renamed 'Shepherd's Speedy Snacks'.  On one side of the topper were details about Preparing the Way at Providence.  On the other side (after the topper is folded) is the 'what to say' section from the project as shown on page 22... a story about the shepherds leaving on a journey to see the baby Jesus.  I also included the ingredients of the 'Snacks'.  Four of these toppers fit on a page, and were printed onto cardstock, cut to size and folded in half.  On to the mixing!

For the 'Speedy Snacks', I mixed Cheerios, pistachios, and dried cranberries: nutritious and festive in color.  I measured out 1/3 cup per bag and sealed it shut.  The topper was then stapled on and that was all there was to it!  The youth will help assemble these bags of 'Snacks', making quick work of the process.

These tasty little marketing tools will be handed out during our post-worship fellowship time... a tasty snack, a quick story, and an invitation to the Advent workshop. 

Check out Christmas Extras for some Sunday School fun, for Children's Church lessons, or maybe some surprising inspiration!

PS - Easter Extras: Faith Filled Ideas for Easter Week is available, too!

New Resource: Canon and Creed

New resources arrive almost daily at the Resource Center!  One such resource is this offering in the newest phase of the Interpretation commentary series: Canon and Creed by Robert W. Jenson.

    In this challenging work, Jenson posits that for the sake of its integrity through history, the church must always remember that canon needs creed and creed needs canon and that the church must govern its discourse and practice by their joint import. But how does the church understand and protect the relation between its Scripture and its creedal formulations? No one is more qualified to address that question than Jenson, who shows how canon and creed work together and interact and who argues that neither is sufficient to guide Christian faith without the help of the other.
    This book will enable contemporary interpreters and teachers, pastors, and laity to attend to the questions and understand the tensions that are always present as the church seeks to hold canon and creed together.

  "…In this short book, Jenson renews our sense of shock that Scripture, creed, and theology could ever have become separated in the modern church. What is more, he teaches us how to reweave them, both by precept and by example," commented R. Kendall Soulen, Professor Systematic Theology, Wesley Theological Seminary.

Additions to this Interpretation series will focus on the Bible's most enduring passages and most vital themes, bringing to these topics the insight and faithful wisdom that are longtime Interpretation hallmarks.  Planned titles include: The Ten Commandments, Eschatology, Violence in the Bible, Sacraments, Miracles, Women in the Bible, and many more.  Check out the first in this series from the Resource Center!

Beyond Games and Soup Kitchens with Rodger Nishioka

A couple of weeks ago, several of us from the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia attended a seminar at Union Presbyterian Seminary with Rodger Nishioka, Benton Family Chair in Christian Education, Columbia Theological Seminary.  The title of the seminar, "Beyond Games and Soup Kitchens: Nurturing a Passionate Spirituality in Youth Ministry," didn't begin to cover the treasures unfolded in the two days spent in dialogue together. 

I must admit that I LOVE learning.  Crave new information like others crave chocolate.  I took 13 pages of notes over the two days.  I'm still transcribing those notes, so let me share what some others took away from our time with Rodger Nishioka:

The one thing Rodger said that really stuck with me was, and I’m paraphrasing, “the Golden Rule is well and good to get us started, but what I think God is really calling us to do is love our neighbor as they want to be loved. This means we must get to know them enough to know how best they are loved, not simply place our own wants and needs on them.”

What a fascinating idea! I’ve already shared this with my youth and they also had a really positive reaction to the idea. I hope that in my ministry, I am loving these youth as they need to be loved!

Sarah Ramsey
Director of Youth Ministries
Williamsburg Presbyterian Church

I think the thing that intrigued me the most was the discussion of moral realism vs moral relativism and our role in guiding them through this shift.  Not that I was completely oblivious to these different ways of thinking, but the emphasis on this helped me to think about the way that I interact with my youth group.  It also forces me to gauge the expectations I have for my kids and will allow me to adjust accordingly.

Sherri Egerton

Program Director

Makemie Woods Camp and Conference Center

During the seminar, resources for further reading were recommended... this one is currently available for checkout from the Resource Center:

Kenda Creasy Dean's "Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church" - this book offers a compelling new model for reaching, discipling, and empowering today's youth. The uniqueness of this book lies in its relocating youth ministry in practical theology rather than in educational theory or psychological or social development. It pays attention to the theological mooring that youth need to connect with the church and hold firm amid the growing demands of popular culture by focusing on the theological resonance between the passion of Christ and adolescents' experience of passion. She uses this to develop a framework for youth ministry that draws on the historic practices of the Christian community as a 'curriculum of passion."

Want to learn more?  Rodger Nishioka is coming to our area!  He'll be at Makemie Woods March 18-19.  Mark your calendars now and look for more information to come.

Educators Luncheon in November

 

Educators Luncheon
Conversation and Inspiration
from Makemie Woods and  PEVA Youth Ministry
Thursday, November 4th – Noon

Special Guests:  Rev. ‘Mike’ Burcher and Sherri Egerton

How can we as Christian Educators and Youth Leaders support each other?  Do you have questions about PEVA Youth Ministry?  What’s the latest news from Makemie Woods?  And how do the answers to these questions help us as we seek to nurture and educate the youth in our churches?
 

Mike and Sherri will be joining us next Thursday, November 4th, at the Resource Center to share and discuss ways Makemie Woods and PEVA Youth Ministry can support the ministry of the local congregation.  

Bring your thoughts, your questions, a brown bag lunch, and ANY EDUCATORS AND YOUTH LEADERS from your church wishing to attend.  RSVP to Donna Rae Barrow, PEVA Resource Center Director, by Tuesday, November 2nd - - 397-7063, ext. 313 or donnarae@pcusa-peva.org.
 

"Common Threads"

 

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Higgins 

of First Presbyterian Church in Hampton

will be the guest speaker at the

Praying Hands Prayer Shawl Gathering

"Common Threads"

Saturday, November 13, 2010

9:30 am - 3:00 pm

St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Cordier Hall

512 Buckroe Avenue, Hampton

This is a wonderful opportunity for those involved in Prayer Shawl ministry to come together to create new friendships, take part in a prayer shawl blessing service, and leave with a fresh way of looking at the work we have been called to do.  The $15 registration fee includes lunch and all activities.

The deadline to register is November 6th.  Please contact Carol Smith to register, 757-850-5900, 757-876-4217, or jdamazon@aol.com. 

Equipping the Saints - Cancelled

The Resource Committee met yesterday afternoon and reviewed submitted registrations for Equipping the Saints scheduled for November 6, 2010. Regrettably, registrations were not sufficient to warrant holding such a large and outstanding event. We have decided to cancel Equipping the Saints.


We learned much from the registrations we did receive, however, and are looking at ways to present desired topics in a less formal setting in the future.

The Resource Center looks forward to serving your ministries in the days to come.

World Communion: A Children's Sermon

Jacqui Horton, Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach, has written and presented many sermons and programs for children.  Her enthusiasm and creativity shine through in everything she does.  Let's take a peek at one of Jacqui's recent children's sermons about World Communion Day...

"Look around you.  Looks like something special might happen today.  What do you think is going to happen?  We’re going to celebrate Communion, or the Lord’s Supper.

Let’s get a better look shall we?  Come with me and gather round close so we can examine these beautiful, wonderful smelling loaves of bread.  (Children are asked to smell hot rolls fresh from the oven Yummmm) When you smell the aroma of fresh baked bread what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?  “I want to eat some!”  

And if you’re really hungry you might get excited while anticipating the taste to come. You know this is going to be good because you have eaten home baked bread before right? Your mouth might start watering, right?   That’s because your senses of smell and taste trigger memories.
 

I selected breads that come from different countries, different parts of the world.  Let’s see if you can guess which countries these breads represent. (Holding up a loaf of French bread) “Do you know what kind of bread this is?”
“Is it Italian?” “No.”
“Is it American?”  “No.”
 “I know, it’s from Subway!”  “No, good guess though. It is not from the country of Subway! It’s a loaf of French bread, from the country of France.”
 

Here we have some German rye and pumpernickel, middle-eastern flat bread, naan from India, Mexican corn tortillas, Italian bread, sourdough bread from California, and even Irish soda bread which I couldn’t find at the store so I made it myself.  Since I’m Irish and Scottish, and because we have some friends visiting from Northern Ireland today, I just had to have some on our World breads table today.  They’re the Montgomeries and I can hardly wait to meet them because my mother was a Montgomery, too.  Small world huh?

Did you notice the kaftan I’m wearing? My friend, Peggy brought this to me from the mid east.  Do you recognize the batik table cloth?  It was made by women from the Congo, our sister church in Africa.  Why do you think I brought these out today?

It’s because Christians all over the world are celebrating Communion, the Lord’s Supper today.  When we break and eat bread today you can bet that others across seas in every direction are doing the same thing.  All day and even while we are sleeping Christians of every denomination will be celebrating the Lord’s supper.  Why?  Because Jesus asked us to break bread and eat bread to help us remember him. It’s kind of a memory trigger cause when we eat it, we remember what Jesus said, “This is my body take and eat, do this in remembrance of me.”  And the bread is for everyone all over the world who claim that Jesus is Lord and Savior.  Isn’t that wonderful?

Let us pray...
Thank you, God for our daily bread. Thank you for the bread of life, we call Jesus.  We can’t wait, to taste your goodness. Amen." 

If you'd like to share more lessons using bread and other biblical foods, check out this book available at the Resource Center...

 Milk and Honey Cooking School: 

Learning the History of God's People through Cooking and Eating

by Daphna Flegal and LeeDell Strickler

This resource walks the presenters through the history of God's people from Adam's first bite of the forbidden fruit to the breaking of the bread at the Last Supper in Jerusalem. Every event that happened to God's people made an impact on their lives, and that included the food.

Milk and Honey provides detailed instruction on how to set up the event and how to involve not only adults, but also children in the final presentation. While learning about the events that impacted the Hebrew people, the participants will get to sample such foods as Abraham's Goat Cheese Dip, Unleavened Bread, Esau's Pottage, Challah Braid, Grecian Honey Cheesecake, and Roman Bread Pudding. In addition to the foods, the presenters will instruct the class in the social etiquette as well as the right and wrong way to eat with bread as one's utensil.

Book Review and A Reminder

“Strategic Leadership for a Change: 

Facing Our Losses, Finding Our Future”
by Kenneth J. McFayden

a book review from Billy Ricketts, 

Congregational Ministries CLP, Second Presbyterian, Norfolk

My first instinct when seeing that this book was written by a Dean from a seminary was that it would be steeped in academic language and probably written from a perspective that was far from reality.  On the contrary, McFayden’s book manages to clarify the reason for dysfunctional church behavior that most church leaders have experienced firsthand.

When the author talks about church loss (the loss of members; pastors & staff; traditions; status in the community; stability; identity; confidence and energy for ministry) he is describing what so many are experiencing in the Presbyterian Church USA. 

The author strikes close to home when he muses that we all want quick resolution to every problem in the church.  In many cases, we simply want to pay someone to provide the “silver bullet” that will make our youth group thrive or our praise band sound like they’re from Hillsong.  The reality is that change is never quite that simple…    

McFayden builds his book on the premise that the one thing that that the church fears the most is “change”.  His quote that “the only person who likes change is a wet baby” screams volumes about us! 

We say that we yearn for growth in our churches (especially the addition of young families) and that we’ll do almost anything to see it happen (even adding a contemporary service). However, the reality is that “change” way too often results in a number of folks either leaving the church or staying when they should leave.

The first few chapters of the book are quite helpful in identifying exactly what has really happened in the culture and environment where un-welcomed change has occurred.  The final chapters offer practical advice aimed at helping churches recover from loss and change.     

At the end of each chapter, there are a series of practical questions that would be quite helpful for congregations and their leaders to consider as they ponder the past, present and future of their church.

While this book is fabulous for armchair psychologists, I would strongly suggest that it become mandatory reading for any church leader who is on a path for substantive change in their church (interim ministry, massive change in worship style, etc.). Please do yourself a favor and read through this VERY informative book!

Ken McFayden, Dean of The Center for Ministry and Leadership Development and Professor of Ministry and Leadership Development at Union Presbyterian Seminary, is the keynote speaker and a workshop leader for Equipping the Saints: Resources for a Vibrant Church, on Saturday, November 6, at First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk.  Register online today for this inspiring event!

Cokesbury Tent Sale

Cokesbury Fall Tent Sale

Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9

Store opens at 10:00am

Save 50% to 75%!

KNELL'S RIDGE SQUARE
805 BATTLEFIELD BLVD. N., SUITE 119
CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320-4878
Phone: 757-312-0084

Blessing of the Animals at Hidenwood PC

It was a beautiful morning for the Blessing of the Animals at Hidenwood Presbyterian in Newport News! 

 

 

Pastor Bill Lamont led this special outdoor worship service for our best friends. 

The service featured lovely music and meditations made complete with a little responsive reading woofing and meowing. 

 Each animal was individually blessed and received a special certificate of blessing with a collar medallion. 

Treats for all followed the service... cider and baked goods for the caregivers, and treats of liver, salmon, pumpkin-apple, or even cheese straws for their best buds. 

Prayerfully considering an Animal Blessing service at your church?  The Resource Center can help!  The following resources contain inspiration for planning this special service for animals and those who love them...

Blessing the Animals:

Prayers and Ceremonies

to Celebrate God's Creatures,

Wild and Tame,

by Lynn Caruso

All God's Creatures: 
The Blessing of 
Animal Companions,
by Debra K. Farrington

Sneak Peek...

Sshhhhh!  Don't tell anyone... I'm going to give you a sneak peek of our new Advent resources before the Educators Luncheon next Thursday...

Makin' Room in the Inn: Christmas Hospitality Through an African American Experience, by Henry Masters.

Makin' Room in the Inn is a four-lesson Advent study that celebrates Christmas traditions and practice through the perspective of an African American family.

Session titles, scriptures
1. Makin' Room (Luke 2:4-7) cultivating and living out hospitality in a diverse world
2. Makin' Do (Luke 2:21-24) trusting God as compared to trusting in wealth
3. Makin' Up (Matthew 2:19-21) learning the importance of forgiveness and reconnection
4. Makin' Time (Luke 2:15-19) understanding that the most precious gift is presence.

 Christmas Gifts that Won't Break
Advent studies for adults, youth, and children

This study explores how the gifts of the Advent season have a permanence that speaks to generations of youth past, present, and future.   What are the Christmas gifts that won’t break? They are those gifts that cannot be lost, that never go out of style, and that are independent of the chances and changes of life. They are the gifts that have been graciously given by God. 

 Meeting the Messiah: Scriptures for the Advent Season, by Kara Lassen Oliver.

Six weeks of short readings and guided reflections on scripture that help readers journey through Advent at a different pace and with a purposeful focus on the Christ child.  The readings tell the Advent story through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, John the Baptist, Mary, the shepherds, the Magi, and Jesus himself.  Readers step into the shoes of those who prepared for and encountered the Christ child, providing inspiration for their own encounters with Jesus this Advent.

The Christmas Countdown: Creating 25 Days of New Advent Traditions for Families

Advent is the season of preparation for our King, who came as a child over 2,000 years ago. The shepherds and wise men followed a star and their hearts to visit this new baby and present gifts that demonstrated their love. In a world and time that easily robs us of this profound joy of renewal at every turn, The Christmas Countdown provides devotional times with Scripture readings, and music and food with other fun family activities.  The book is tailored to help families prepare their hearts and homes for Christ's coming.

From Advent's Alleluia to Easter's Morning Light: Poetry for Worship, Study and Devotion, by Ann Weems.

Weems’s lyrical poetry is a reminder to us all of the importance of true discipleship. She challenges us to look past the ongoing distractions of the “busy work” of church meetings and socials, new programs and technology, and inevitable conflict, while reminding us in her singularly expressive voice that the “institution” of the church is, at heart, quite simply all about Jesus.



Ok, that's just a small glimpse of all the wonderful Advent materials available at the Resource Center... stop by and do some browsing as you prepare to celebrate the coming of the Christ child.

Contemplative Retreat in November

Some wonderful members of Naomi Makemie Presbyterian Church on the Eastern Shore shared with me the following information about an upcoming contemplative retreat.  Prayerfully consider freeing up your calendar on these days for some quiet, some creativity, some refreshment...

 

Seeking Wholeness Amidst Transition
An Eastern Shore Autumn Contemplative Retreat
November 13-14, 2010

With fall and the shortening days comes a natural turning within, 

a quieting, and perhaps also an awareness of what is shifting in our lives, 

or perhaps even ending.

Amidst the transitions that are part of any year’s cycle, 

there is also the desire to be reminded of that which is 

foundational and core for each of us, 

our “homeground.”

A contemplative retreat is a wonderful way to gently and safely enter into these questions.  During this weekend of quiet time, artwork, presentations, journaling, community, walks in nature, delicious meals, and more, we will explore:
    - Sensing and navigating transitions
    - Identifying our homeground, our sources of strength
    - Using vulnerability as a tool for all seasons of the spirit
    - Realizing wholeness is an ongoing dance among all the above. 

The location is the incomparable Cobb Island Station retreat center just north of Cape Charles.  This expansive and soulful facility offers a beautiful waterfront setting, grounds for strolling, a labyrinth, hot-tub, and very comfortable accommodations and meeting rooms. Limited accommodations are available for overnight lodging.  Spaces are also available for retreat participation during Saturday only, or during both Saturday and Sunday. 

Dates:   9:00am Saturday, November 13th, till 2:00pm Sunday, November 14th.

Information/registration:    http://www.esva.net/~dryon/retreat.htm
Registration deadline:  Tuesday November 2, 2010. 
Debbie Ryon 710-4661 or dryon@verizon.net.   

Rates: 
Full weekend, with overnight accommodation, materials and all meals: 
     Double:  $225  Private:  $275  
Saturday only, materials & meals through dinner, no overnight accommodation:  
     $75
Saturday & Sunday, materials & meals through dinner, no overnight accommodation: 
     $125
Friday night extension (7 pm arrival for evening quiet time, no dinner)
     Double: add $50, Private: add $75