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

Cricut at the Resource Center

 

Ever try to cut perfect letters for your Stewardship or Advent bulletin board?  

What about all those stars you'd like to hang from the ceiling 

in your Sunday School room?  

Need to create tags for your church's Angel Tree?  

Or maybe some 10-inch high vinyl letters for special event signage?  

If so, you know how tedious this can be... 

and how difficult it can be to cut the pieces precisely!

The Resource Center can help!  Make an appointment with Donna Rae, load up your tote bag with the paper of your choice, and let's start cutting with Cricut®, the personal electronic cutter that allows you to get amazing creative results with the touch of a button.   

It's a snap, er, a chirp!

Equipping the Saints

Just one of the exciting workshops offered at the upcoming Equipping the Saints event:

Music in Reforned Worship

"What Pastors and Musicians

should know about each other

and are afraid to ask:

Moving beyond assumptions"

We will explore practices that in working effectively together

the pastor can help the musician think theologically  

and the music can help the pastor think musically

 to the benefit of the worshiping congregation

Presented by Alan Barthel and Ernest Gardner:

     Alan Barthel has been the Executive Director of PAM for the last ten years. Prior to that he was the St. Andrew Professor of Liturgy and Music at the University of Toronto. He is Past President of the North American Academy of Liturgy and currently secretary of the international liturgical society Societas Liturgica. For the PC(USA) he served on the Sacraments Committee and is an advisor to the committee working on the new hymnal.

     Ernest has been a minister member of PEVA since 2004. He first became aware of PAM as a graduate voice student at the University of North Texas while a member of Highland Park Presbyterian in Dallas, Texas. Since then he has been part of several conversations about what pastors and musicians should know about each other, but were afraid to ask ... until now.



Have you registered for Equipping the Saints yet?  It's on Saturday, November 6th, at First Presbyterian, Norfolk, beginning at 8:30am.  Take time to get your registration in this week, either online or in the mail.  The keynote speaker and workshop offerings are fantastic... you won't want to miss this event!

Freebies!

Still using VHS tapes?  Looking for some inspiration in curriculum samples from seasons past?  What about some well-circulated books on Christian education or preaching or faith development?  Stop by the Resource Center and 'adopt' some resources for your church!

Webinars

web·i·nar  noun, often capitalized \ˈwe-bə-ˌnär\  a live online educational presentation during which participating viewers can submit questions and comments.  (from Merriam-Webster)

The PC (USA) website offers webinars on a variety of topics. 

The "God’s Mission Matters" webinars from Presbyterian World Mission give you the opportunity to be part of a live, interactive conversation once a month about how to engage more faithfully and effectively in God’s mission.  Global partners, mission workers, short-term mission leaders and mission participants are just some of the panelists you’ll find online in the webinars, talking about insightful and practical ways we can participate in mission.  

 

Here is information on a mission webinar offered this week:

 Hit the brakes!
Moving away from a problem-solving approach to mission
September 15, 2010 · 1-2 p.m. Eastern Time

      "As Christians, how are we invited into God’s mission of bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people? We are called to acts of compassion, but what does that look like? This Hit the brakes! webinar will explore what happens when we move towards partnership and accompaniment in God’s mission, recognizing that mission relationships with brothers and sisters near and far can be more important than a task accomplished or a problem fixed.
     Three experts will guide our conversation:
• Dr. Doug Tilton, PC(USA) mission co-worker and regional liaison for Southern Africa;
• The Rev. Wil Howie, founder and director of Living Waters for the World; and
• The Rev. Elizabeth McLean, associate pastor for mission and evangelism, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas.
     Webinars are interactive forums where you’ll be able to “chime in” with questions, comments and stories. Join us on September 15 to take part in the conversation!"  Click here for more information and to register.

Other upcoming webinars include "Minneapolis to Washington!: Actions of the General Assembly and their Impact on Upcoming Legislation" offered on September 16th from the General Assembly Mission Council, Office of Public Witness; and "Earth Care Congregations and How ENERGY STAR Can Help" offered on October 6th from the GAMC Environmental Ministries.

Try a webinar...  it's educational, it's free, and it requires no travel!

Educators Luncheon

Fall is in the air, 

which means it's time for the Educators Luncheons to begin again! 

Thursday, October 7th

12:00 noon

Advent in Autumn 

  The Resource Center will welcome you with lots of 

new and classic Advent materials to check out, 

a chance to use the Cricut for cutting stars and angels and snowflakes, 

and a wonderful time of fellowship 

with Christian educators from around our Presbytery.  

Lunch, with a side of inspiration and encouragement, will be provided... 

all you need to do is RSVP before Monday, October 4th, 

to Donna Rae Barrow, Resource Center Director, 

397-7063, or donnarae@pcusa-peva.org.