New Book Smell

The Bible and the Environment

2009-12-16T15:15:00.003-05:00

Caring for the environment is all over the news these days. Going "green" is very fashionable. Leaders from all over the world are very concerned about climate change. What does our faith have to say about environmental issues?

The Resource Center has a book that is very helpful on the issues surrounding creation care. The book is called Earth-Wise: A Biblical Response to Environmental Issues. It was written by the highly respected evangelical scholar of environmental studies, Calvin DeWitt. This thin book would make a great resource for a book study or adult education series. Check it out today!

The Perfect Gift

2009-12-14T09:00:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for a gift that you won't have to shop for, one that will simplify your life and makes someone else's better, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance(PDA) has your back. Click here to download Christmas cards from PDA that benefit missions around the world.

Advent is the Perfect Time for NOOMA

2009-12-07T09:01:00.000-05:00

The NOOMA DVDs Rich, Shells, Noise, and Corner are perfect messages for the Advent season. Check one out today!

Advent Retreat

2009-11-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

An Advent Retreat entitled "Waiting for Grace" will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Saturday, December 5 from 9-noon. St. Luke's is located at 8 East Keller Street in Mechanicsburg. The phone number is 717-766-5182. The brochure does not include a price, so I assume that it is free. For more information, email Melissa at roland.stock@juno.com.

Advent Consumerism

2009-11-23T11:06:00.001-05:00

Looking to start a discussion about consumerism during Advent this year? The DVD What Would Jesus Buy? addresses our obsession with Christmas gift giving (and our resulting debt) in a fun and entertaining way. The video is a documentary about Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir's cross-country tour to save the souls of Americans from the evils of consumerism. Rev. Billy warns of a coming Shopocalypse (the end of humankind from consumerism, over-consumption and the fires of eternal debt.) The DVD is 90 minutes long, but you only need to watch a portion of it to start an important discussion about how shopping has become our principle Advent practice. Watch the trailer below.

Free DVD and Study Guides for The National Parks Documentary

2009-10-19T09:00:00.000-04:00

On September 27, PBS broadcast The National Parks: America's Best Idea. As a proud outreach partner of this beautiful 12-hour portrait of our national parks, Earth Ministry is offering free downloads of two religious study guides to complement the film: a four-session Christian Education course (And God Saw That It Was Good), and a one-session interfaith course (Awakening the Spirit). By going to Earth Ministry's website, you can order a free DVD containing clips from the film that complement these adult education resources. Click here for more.

Looking for New Church Music?

2009-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Bifrost Arts is "a non-profit organization that exists to enrich the church and engage the world with beauty and truth. In Scandinavian mythology, the "bifrost" was the bridge connecting heaven and earth." They tour the country doing HymnSINGS of old Christian hymns set to contemporary arrangements. I saw them this summer in Harrisburg, and they were amazing. They sing old hymns accompanied by guitar, violin, cello, and whatever else people bring to make a joyful noise. They have a new CD of "hymns and spiritual songs" entitled "Come O Spirit!" It is excellent. Listen to two tracks from the album and order your own copy here. You can even download for free the complete folder of song sheets (lyrics, melody, and chords) for the album.

Did You Know

2009-10-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

Did you know that less than 50% of lay women and men in PC(USA) churches read the Bible at least once a week? (The Bible August 2006 Survey)

The devotional reading of scripture is one of the central practices of Christian spiritual formation. Lectio Divina is a great method to help guide one in this type of reading. For a simple guide to the practice, click here.

One of My Favorite Authors

2009-09-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

For many of us, there are a few writers of whom we read almost everything they write. For me, one of those authors is Stephanie Paulsell. A well respected scholar of Christian Spirituality, Paulsell also writes for ministers and lay readers. Her "Faith Matters" pieces in the Christian Century always stir my spirit. Check out her latest piece, a beautiful meditation on the advent of the fall season, here.

A Recommendation

2009-09-23T14:56:00.002-04:00

I enjoy the very human portrayals of the work of ministry and life of the pastor in the essays of Lillian Daniel and Martin Copenhaver that appear in the Christian Century. These two authors have recently written a book together called This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers that looks like a real yet hopeful look into this difficult but joy-filled calling.

A New Video Resource

2009-09-09T11:38:00.003-04:00

The Resource Center has a new video resource that can transform the way you teach the parables of Jesus. It's called Modern Parables and it adapts six parables into short films. You can watch all six videos online by clicking here.

Centering Prayer Group in Mechanicsburg

2009-09-03T23:11:00.002-04:00

A Centering Prayer group meets every Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Mechanicsburg. I know from experience that they welcome Presbyterians. This group is a great introduction to Centering Prayer for those who want to check it out. It is also a great discipline to keep you focused on your spiritual practice. Check it out next Tuesday! For more information, you can call Melissa Stock at 697-6210.

Curriculum Sale!

2009-07-22T15:07:00.003-04:00

Cokesbury is selling all of their curriculum at 50% off until July 31.

Giddyup!

Great Resource on Christian Practices

2009-07-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

John Roberto has edited a fine new resource on religious practices. There have been a lot of theoretical pieces written on religious practices over the past decade. This resource takes a practical approach to Christian formation by breaking the Christian life down in to 12 essential practices. It is very practical. From the Introduction, "You will learn about each practice and its foundation in Scripture. You will discover a variety of practical suggestions for living the practice and how to make it an integral part of everyday life." There are even free online learning activities and study guides available.

Preview the new NOOMA online through Wednesday

2009-07-14T13:55:00.001-04:00

You can watch the new NOOMA video entitled "Whirlwind" for the next 46 hours by clicking here.

Enjoy!

Great Youth Mission Trip Idea

2009-07-06T10:35:00.005-04:00

Last week, I accompanied our youth group on their annual mission trip. We spent a week in Philadelphia participating in Broad Street Ministry's Summer Youth Immersion Program. It was an excellent experience. I highly recommend it.

From their website,

The summer immersion program begins with our regular Sunday evening worship service. Groups should arrive by 5 pm. We provide several days of service learning and opportunities for authentic relationship building with the people of Philadelphia. An effort will be made to take groups to different neighborhoods in the city and discuss poverty, homelessness, hunger, and health care all grounded within a theological framework. A particular goal will be to engage youth with the poor and disadvantaged who are trying to make a difference in their community through social action. Stereotypes will be broken not re-enforced. The week will end in a service of commissioning to send students back to their own communities where faithful transformation may continue.

Why your youth group should consider Broad Street's Summer Youth Program:

1.) It's close. No long van ride necessary. Our group took the train from Harrisburg.

2.) It's well run. Rev. Erika Funk, the staff of BSM, and their talented summer interns do an excellent job of leading, teaching, and inspiring young people.

3.) It's reasonably priced. The program costs $390 per person for the week.

4.) As a leader, you just have to get your youth to Philly. The BSM staff takes care of all the logistics and programming!

Spirituality Centers

2009-07-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Are you thinking about starting a spirituality center in your church? The Fall 2009 issue of Ideas for Church Leaders has a short, stimulating article on one church's experience of setting one up. Who knows, after reading these two pages, you may just be inspired to start creating one in your church.

Just Arrived

2009-06-24T14:16:00.003-04:00

The new We Believe! curriculum has just arrived. Stop in to check out all the new changes to this popular curriculum.

Fall Book Study Option

2009-06-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for a book to use for a fall book study (or just something to renew your spirit), here is my recommendation. Barbara Brown Taylor's latest book, An Altar in the World, is excellent. In it she shares 12 religious practices that are meaningful to her. Hers is not an otherworldly or monastic spirituality. Some of the practices she addresses included groundedness, Sabbath, and physical labor. As always, her prose is a joy to read. But what really grabbed me were her insights into life with God that made me put the book down to figure out how to incorporate them into my life. Highly recommended.

The Misunderstood Jew

2009-06-10T14:15:00.003-04:00

I was on vacation last week and took along Amy-Jill Levine's The Misunderstood Jew. Levine is a Jewish New Testament scholar who teaches at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Because she is Jewish, she brings a different perspective to New Testament scholarship. Because of her background in rabbinical sources, she illuminates the Jewish context of Jesus' life and teachings. She also educates her Christian readers on interpretations of the text that are anti-Jewish. This is a fun and interesting read. I highly recommend it.

The Story of Stuff

2009-05-20T14:37:00.007-04:00

Where does the stuff we buy come from? What happens to it when we're finished with it? This entertaining video addresses our extraction-production-consumption economy and why this process is not sustainable. I found out about it from this New York Times article. Showing this video would be a good way to talk to all groups (especially young ones) about consumption (where our treasure is) and creation care.

From the website:

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

Free VBS Curriculum

2009-05-13T10:09:00.002-04:00

We have an extra copy of Camp EDGE, Cokesbury's 2009 VBS curriculum. I will give it to the first church in the presbytery of Carlisle that emails me requesting it.

Clergy Under 40 Conference at Montreat

2009-04-29T11:28:00.002-04:00

If you are a PC(USA) clergy person under the age of 40, you are younger than the average Presbyterian in your church; you are online, energized, underpaid, frustrated, prophetic, misunderstood, innovative, post-modern, disillusioned, hopeful, all of the above....and perfect for this conference.

Connect with a community of young clergy for spiritual renewal, mutual encouragement, relevant workshops, and worship you don't have to lead.

Bruce will be there. Montreat June 8-11. For more info on alt7 2009, click here.

alt7 2009 from Montreat on Vimeo.

New NOOMA!

2009-04-22T15:22:00.002-04:00

Many of us spend our lives striving for newer and better things, but have ceased to be grateful for our good gifts. Rob makes the point that it is in sharing with others that we actually receive what we seek through the acquisition of more stuff. Click here to watch a preview.

Spirituality and Fund-Raising

2009-04-01T09:00:00.002-04:00

Spirituality and fund-raising. When I saw these two terms in the same phrase, I truly thought I had seen it all. Give credit to Henri Nouwen for making me a believer that they are not mutually exclusive. In a small booklet titled "The Spirituality of Fund-raising," Nouwen shares some powerful insights into fundraising. Some nuggests of wisdom include: Fundraising is a form of ministry in which we announce a vision and invite others into our mission, we need to ask our donors to participate in our vision and not just write us a check, we need to confront our fears of asking for money, and his invitation to explore whether our security is found in God or money. This is a truly powerful and insightful piece of writing. Make a note to read this before your next Stewardship campaign.

On Shelves Now: Calvin DVD

2009-03-25T09:00:00.001-04:00

The Calvin DVD produced by Witherspoon Press to commemorate the 500th birthday of the great reformer has arrived. John Calvin: His Life and Legacy is an excellent introduction to the great Reformed theologian and pastor. Featuring excellent footage from Geneva and expert commentary from a variety of scholars such as Martin Marty, Brian Gerrish, and Richard Mouw, the hour long DVD contains chapters on Calvin's context, his views on God, the church, culture, and his legacy. I recommend viewing a chapter at a time in a Sunday School setting, followed by analysis and discussion, as a means of exploring Calvin's thought and continuing relevance. Study guides are available in the Extras section of the DVD. Watch a preview below.

Understanding Young Adults

2009-03-18T09:37:00.002-04:00

Do you ever wonder how young adults approach religious faith today? If so, take a gander at my new article. It appears in the latest issue of Hungry Hearts: A Journal of Reformed Spirituality. Click here to read the article. What do you have to lose, it's only 2 pages long!

Princeton Youth Ministry Conference

2009-03-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Princeton Seminary is holding a youth ministry conference April 27-30. Click here for more information.

New Environmental Resources

2009-03-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

We have three new environmental resources you should know about. The first is Earth-Wise: A Biblical Response to Environmental Issues. This short book looks at creation care from a biblical perspective. It includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter and is written by Calvin DeWitt, professor of environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

The second is simple pocket book called How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change a Christian? This fun little book gives plenty of suggestions of ways you can shrink your carbon footprint.

The third resource, Clean Water for All of God's Children, is a DVD that highlights the work of Living Waters for the World, a mission project of the Synod of Living Waters, that trains and equips mission teams to share the gift of clean water with communities in need.

Two Good Devotionals

2009-03-04T13:56:00.003-05:00

We just received two books that would make excellent devotional reading this Lenten season. The first is entitled Alive to God in Jesus Christ. It is a basic 40 day, daily devotional written by Joseph Small. Small is the Director of Theology and Worship for the PC(USA).

The second is a book that highlights women's contributions to the spiritual heritage of Reformed Christians. In Trusted Voices: Spiritual Wisdom for Lost Generations of Women, Diane Karay Tripp lifts up twenty-five Reformed women whose stories have been forgotten, yet who offer spiritual wisdom pertinent to our lives today.

My Lenten Practice

2009-02-25T14:24:00.003-05:00

Have you chosen a Lenten discipline yet? My advice to you is this, don't give something up this year. Add a practice instead. Because after Lent, if you give something up successfully, all you will have is a story to brag about. (Or, more likely, something to feel bad about not being able to sustain.) Will power is important, so let's channel into doing something that will add to your life once Lent is over.

My discipline this year is that I am going to engage in a time of examen every evening. In the examen, you simply share with God things you are thankful for, then things you are struggling with, and then talk to God about them. For a simple guide, go here or here. Engaging in this discipline will help you to begin "listening to your life" and learn to see God's presence in your everyday activities.

Whatever practice you choose, may God bless your discipline this Lenten season.

A Very Relevant Book

2009-02-18T14:46:00.003-05:00

My first memory of the guy is how dignified he looked while walking his dogs. Louis Weeks was the president of Union-PSCE while I attended there. He certainly looked the part. Wasp-y. Distinguished looking grey hair parted on the side. Always dressed like he just stepped out of an Orvis catalogue. When I first saw him, I thought, man, this guy really looks the part.

It didn't take long for my initial positive impression to change to one of dissappointment. Maybe it was his thick southern accent. Or perhaps it was the fact that he never learned my name despite having met him many times. Or maybe it was how he ran the school. I can't remember exactly why he annoyed me so much, but I was definitely not a fan.

That's why my enthusiasm for his new book is so strange. It is strange because not only am I not a fan, I am even less fond of church administration. Let's face it, administration is not the reason anyone goes to seminary. This is not the call they are answering. "My child, please serve me...in endless committee meetings."

Yet, I have come to discover that this is what actual day to day ministry entails. Ministry consists of thousands of little decisions and projects that in the midst of them don't seem very holy or meaningful. These are the jobs that Weeks calls "scutwork" and the ones that he holds up as vital for church workers to reclaim.

For a nice teaser of Weeks' argument, check out his short piece in the January 27, 2009 issue of the Christian Century. The book this article is promoting is called All for God's Glory: Redeeming Church Scutwork. It is published by Alban.

VBS Open House

2009-02-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

The Resource Center is hosting a VBS Open House on Tuesday, February 10 from 4 to 8 PM in the Resource Center. Come and see for yourself the PCUSA's Discovery Canyon, Cokesbury's Camp EDGE, Group's Rome: Paul and the Underground Church, Habitat for Humanity's Under Construction, and (if it gets here) Gospel Light's SonRock Kids Camp. One lucky church will win a free copy of Camp EDGE!

Watch NOOMA Flame Online Today!

2009-02-04T11:34:00.002-05:00

The good people at NOOMA have put the entire Flame DVD online. Running time 11:07. I'm not sure how long it will last, so check it out soon. This a powerful one dealing with romantic and sexual love. Click here to watch.

Advice on Running Meetings

2009-01-20T13:49:00.002-05:00

If there is one thing Presbyterians know, it's meetings. People are in and out of the Presbytery office for multiple meetings a day. And that's on top of all the meetings they have at their individual churches. A question that many who sit through these meetings have is whether their time is being used efficiently or not. Reid Hastie's New York Times article this week addresses how to run an effective meeting and use the time of everyone involved wisely. I can't think of a more timely topic for Presbyterians.

Lenten Preaching Help

2009-01-12T09:00:00.001-05:00

Need some help getting ready to preach this Lenten season? The Presbytery of Carlisle has your back. On February 12 from 10 AM to noon at the presbytery office, Lancaster Seminary professor Julia O'Brien will be leading a seminar to help you think about some of the issues in the lectionary passages for Lent. Please call 717-737-6821 to RSVP. Click here to see a publicity flyer for the event.

Getting to Know Alban

2009-01-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Are you familiar with the Alban Institute? The Alban Institute is an independent center of learning and leadership development with a focus on congregations. Alban stands at the forefront of knowledge and experience regarding congregational vitality and positive trends across denominations and faith traditions.

The Presbytery has an Institutional Membership with Alban, which means that we get a copy of each of the practical, congregation-focused books they publish each year. If you need practical help on a congregational issue, chances are Alban has something for you. And your Presbytery Resource Center is the easiest place for you to access this wealth of useful information. Click here to see a list of new and forthcoming titles.

Songs for Christmas

2008-12-22T11:32:00.003-05:00

If you think about it, blogging is an act of giving. So, in my last post of 2008, I give you a special gift, Sufjan Stevens Christmas songs. These songs come from Sufjan's excellent Christmas box set, Songs for Christmas. Watch the video for "Put the Lights on the Tree" or download two fantastic original Christmas songs, "Sister Winter" and "That Was the Worst Christmas Ever," by right clicking on the links and saving them.

Merry Christmas! See you on Wednesdays in 2009.

Princeton Young Adult Conference

2008-12-11T12:00:00.000-05:00

Princeton Seminary is holding a conference on ministering to young adults (especially those aged 18-29) on May 14-16, 2009. Jeffrey Arnett and Rodger Nishioka will be the lecturers. Contact either this site or (609) 497-7914 for more information.

East Regional APCE

2008-12-10T12:23:00.002-05:00

The East Regional APCE will be held April 27-29 in Chambersburg. The keynote speaker wil be the Rev. Dr. Joyce Ann Meyer. The theme will be "We Can't Talk About That!" For more information, contact Deb at dmadden@fpcal.pa.net. Mark your calendars!

New Advent Resource

2008-12-08T11:42:00.003-05:00

Better late than never. Tired of the commercialization of Christmas? Economy forcing you to tighten your belt this year? A new Advent resource called Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?: Ideas for a Christ-Centered Holiday arrived today from Alternatives for Simple Living.org. This simple pamphlet contains ideas on how to transform your celebration of Christmas from rushing to the mall to a simpler, more meaningful holiday. Order it here or check it out from us today!

NOOMA Tomato

2008-12-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

The latest offering in the NOOMA DVD series explores one of the hard sayings of Jesus, “Whoever finds their life will lose it and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Mt. 10:39) Rob observes that there is a part of us that has to be right, needs to look good, wants to be admired, and wants to win. We spend a lot of mental energy trying to maintain this image of ourselves. He argues that it is precisely this false self that Jesus calls on to die. Most of us refuse to die to these false selves, but Jesus calls us to die to them so we can truly live.

Watch a preview below.

12 Tips for a Low Carbon Christmas

2008-12-01T11:53:00.002-05:00

The NCC has just released a list of 12 recommendations to make this Christmas a low carbon Christmas. How many can you implement this year?

Looking to Simplify your Advent?

2008-11-24T14:36:00.005-05:00

Tired of spending time in malls during Advent? Looking for a way to simplfy your life and catch a deep breath of peace this Christmas? Help has arrived. Instead of tracking down a gift for someone who really doesn't need it, give a gift in honor of your loved one to someone who really needs a gift this Christmas. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has downloadable and printable cards on their website ready to be given to the people on your list. The cards read:

A gift has been sent in your honor to
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

May the knowledge of this gift
and God’s gift of love
fill you with peace during this
special season
and in the New Year to come.

Advent Wreath Lighting, With a Green Twist

2008-11-17T14:26:00.003-05:00

Georgia Interfaith Power & Light has a free and fun Advent Wreath lighting liturgy online. Instead of lighting Advent candles, "Preparing for a New Light: Caring for God's Creation during Advent" leads participants to replace old lightbulbs with energy saving ones. After you have replaced the old bulb, the study then describes different benefits to God's creation of doing so. Go ahead and "light a candle and change a bulb" this holiday season! Click here to go to the study.

An Author Among Us

2008-11-10T13:56:00.004-05:00

Our very own Barb Chalfant has an article in the new issue of the APCE Advocate. Her article, entitled "Like in a potter's workshop, we are reclaimed, recycled, renewed, remade," discusses how the Christian life lived out by Reformed Christians resembles the process of working with clay on a potter's wheel. Nice work, Barb!

New Immigration DVD

2008-11-05T14:46:00.004-05:00

The Resource Center has just acquired a new video about immigration. Dying to Live puts a human face on the immigration debate. It asks, who are these people who are crossing our southern border? The 33 minute DVD discusses the issues that cause migrants to make the difficult decision to try to enter the United States and follows them as they make the difficult journey through the harsh landscape of the American Southwest. The film was made by Daniel Groody, a theologian at the University of Notre Dame. It has aired on PBS. I highly recommended it. Watch clips of the film here.

The Moderator Has a Blog

2008-10-29T09:00:00.001-04:00

The current Moderator of the PC(USA), Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, makes the following provocative statement on his personal blog. "I believe that the cultural, social and technological shifts that are happening in the world are the most pressing issues facing the church." Bruce is the pastor of a new church development in San Francisco. He is interested in moving the church beyond the tired, old conservative/liberal paradigm for being church. He wants the church to face the future and the changes that are happening in the culture. If you would like to read his frequent reflections on his time as Moderator, including what he is finding in the church as he travels and his vision for the church, you can read his blog here.

Ministry in Cities

2008-10-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

One of the more interesting books the Resource Center has acquired recently is Sabbath in the City: Sustaining Urban Pastoral Excellence by Bryan Stone and Claire Wolfteich. The book grew out of a Lilly funded study on urban pastoral excellence conducted at the Boston University School of Theology. The book explores practices that sustain ministers working in urban contexts. Two that are highlighted are cultivating friendships and finding practices of re-creation and renewal. The authors do a nice job of highlighting the significance of place in one's ministry, how it shapes the focus of ministry and how it shapes the practice of one's own spirituality. Read a review here.

Advent Candle-Lighting Liturgy

2008-10-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

The Winter 2008-9 issue of Ideas! for Church Leaders contains an Advent Candle-Lighting Liturgy, ready to be used in your church this holiday season.

New Advent Study

2008-10-20T10:53:00.003-04:00

The Thoughtful Christian has released a new four session Advent study called "Advent Through the Eyes of Those Who Waited." It explores the four characters we meet in the lectionary who exemplify the waiting we will do this Advent, including Isaiah, John the Baptist, Mary the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth.

Advent Study

2008-10-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

A resource that would pair well with What Would Jesus Buy? is the 6-session study from We Believe called Keep It Simple and Sacred: Alternatives for Advent and Christmas. This study is designed for small groups of young adults, but I think it would work well as a discussion starter for lots of folks. Available now!

Selling Out

2008-09-29T09:00:00.004-04:00

It turns out that Bonhoeffer is not representative of the German church as a whole during World War 2. If you would like to have a discussion of religion and politics that focuses on Christian accomodation to political power, check out the DVD Theologians Under Hitler. Click here to read a review. Click here to watch a preview. In stock now!

Religion and Politics

2008-09-24T09:00:00.001-04:00

If the lesson plans on religion and politics that I shared on September 3 and 8 do not appeal to you, Adam Hamilton has just released a five-session DVD study on faith and politics. Click here if you would like to see video previews of each session. This resource is now in stock, just in time for the height of the campaign season!

Online Liturgical Prayers

2008-09-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Need help writing liturgical prayers? Help has arrived. I discovered recently that Cokesbury publishes free, online liturgy for every Sunday of the liturgical year. The site is called Cokesbury's Worship Connection. Check it out.

Fair Trade Bible Study

2008-09-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

Now in stock! Looking for an engaging Fall Bible Study? A PC(USA) related group called Partners for Just Trade has just released a six-part Bible Study called “Fair Trade: Using Our Purchasing Power for Justice and Hope.” Fair Trade is a model of international commerce that ensures farmers and workers in developing countries receive a just price for their products, which helps them compete in the global marketplace and promote development in their financially strapped communities. The study walks readers through the principles of Fair Trade by means of personal narration, Biblical passages and questions for reader reflection.

While Your College Students Are Away

2008-09-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

How can your church stay connected with college students while they are away at school? Click here for a handout with 24 helpful suggestions.

Confused About Young Adults Today?

2008-09-10T13:02:00.004-04:00

Attracting young adults is an ongoing concern for most churches. But how do we attract a group of people we really don't understand? Robert Wuthnow's latest book, After the Baby Boomers, is an in-depth sociological analysis of the religious practices of people under the age of 40. The main image he uses to describe this group is "tinkerers."

From the first chapter, "A tinkerer puts together a life from whatever skills, ideas, and resources that are readily at hand. In a culture like ours, where higher education and professional training are valued, tinkering may have negative connotations. But it should not. Tinkerers are the most resourceful people in any era. If specialized skills are required, they have them. When they need help from experts, they seek it. But they do not rely on only one way of doing things. Their approach to life is practical. They get things done, and usually this happens by improvising, by piecing together an idea from here, a skill from there, and a contact from somewhere else. "

If you would like to read the first chapter of Wuthnow's book, click here. If you would like to read more, we have this book in our collection.

Christians & Government

2008-09-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

Want to dig deeper into the relationship between Christian faith and government? Try this free five-session study written by Vera K. White and published by the National Council of Churches. It contains scripture lessons to focus on, lists of materials needed, and plenty of questions for discussion.

Christians and Voting

2008-09-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

The veeps have been announced, and the nominees have been celebrated at their respective conventions. The fall campaign is on! Though it is a touchy subject in most of our churches, voting is something we all need to think about theologically. "How Should Christians Vote?" is a one session adult Sunday School lesson plan from The Thoughtful Christian that addresses voting. What could be timelier?

Mission Conference for 2009

2008-08-27T09:00:00.001-04:00

Looking for an opportunity to teach your youth about mission next summer? The New Wilmington Mission Conference may be just what you're looking for. The dates for the summer of 2009 are July 18-25. For more information, including podcasts of their 2008 conference, click here.

NOOMA Rich

2008-08-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

One of the best and most popular NOOMA DVDs is "Rich." In this one, Rob reminds Americans of the abundance in their lives and encourages them to share the resources they have. It is a great resource that can be used to teach stewardship or an alternative approach to Christmas gift giving and receiving. Watch the entire video in its entirety by clicking here.

NOOMA She

2008-08-20T13:22:00.004-04:00

The newest installment of the NOOMA series, "She," has just been released. The topic of this one is gender. Using a variety of scriptural references, Rob explains that the biblical authors used images of motherhood to describe God's nature and that we need to utlize these images ourselves to get a more well rounded picture of the God of scripture. He does not break any new ground theologically, but if feminine images of God sound strange to you, you owe it to yourself to watch this 13 minute video.

Bonus! If you would like to watch the entire DVD from the convenience of your own computer, preview "She" by clicking here. Enjoy!

I ordered two copies for the Resource Center today. They should be here next week.

Animated Bible DVDs

2008-08-18T09:00:00.000-04:00

Over the summer, the Resource Center invested in a set of 24 animated Bible DVDs from Nest Family Entertainment. Watch below for a preview of the Ruth DVD.

Blessing of Backpacks

2008-08-14T09:00:00.001-04:00

Stephen Choi called me on Wednesday looking for a liturgy to use to bless backpacks of children before they head back to school. What a great idea! This is a very signicant transition point in a child's life, and it is appropriate that the church bless it. Here is one blessing I found that you can use the Sunday before your children head back to school. (You need to tell the kids to bring their backpacks the Sunday prior to the Sunday that you actaully bless them.)

Teacher Training

2008-08-13T09:10:00.000-04:00

Looking for a new way to train teachers for your church school? Tired of hearing that folks don't think they know enough about the Bible to teach? A new resource has arrived. Five North American Reformed denominations (including the PCUSA) got together and developed curricula to train teachers. And it's free! Click here for more information, or watch the short youtube clip below explaining the program. Feel free to contact me for more information.

Putting a Face on the Immigration Debate

2008-08-11T12:56:00.006-04:00

On May 14, I mentioned that if I got a chance to see a new film called The Visitor, I would post a review. I finally caught it this weekend at the West Shore Theatre. The main character, Walter Vale, is a mid-career college professor at a small Connecticut college whose wife has died. He slips into depression over her passing and is living on autopilot. When he is sent by his department chair on an errand to New York, he discovers a couple living in the apartment he has owned for 25 years but not visited since his wife's death.

The couple he finds living there are illegal immigrants. After Walter allows them to stay a few days until they can find a new place, Walter is slowly brought out of his shell in his relationship with this young couple.

This a very touching movie. It thoughtfully depicts both the positive things we gain from interacting with those who are different from ourselves and how fragile life can be for those living among us without legal status.

One side of the immigration debate in this country is adamant that those who have entered this country illegally have broken the law. This film shows what a loss it is to lose those who have such potential to enrich our lives. It should be out on DVD this fall and would definitely make a fascinating discussion starter on how to address the broken immigration system we currently have in place in this country.

Planning a Mission Trip for Next Summer?

2008-08-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

Thinking of taking youth or adults on a mission trip next summer? Not sure where to begin? Don Richter has written a new book on this topic that was well reviewed by the Christian Century. The book explores why to go, aspects of going on these trips that contribute to their transformative impact, and tips for planning a trip. This book is available today at your Presbytery Resource Center.

New Curriculum for Children

2008-08-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

A new resource for children has just arrived in the Resource Center. Around the Moringa Tree: A Bible Study Curriculum is a five session study that introduces children to how Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the Presbyterian Hunger Program use our One Great Hour of Sharing contributions to address hunger in Africa. The Resource Center received the program booklet. If you order the resource from the PCUSA, you also receive a DVD with the booklet for $10. Feel free to stop by and check out this new curriculum to see if it will work at your church.

Use NOOMA with Youth This Fall

2008-07-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Kelly Wiant-Thralls at Market Square Church has used the NOOMA DVDs quite successfully with her senior high Sunday School class. She has used the videos entitled Rhythm, Luggage, Lump, Name, Rich, and Sunday and gotten great responses from her group. She even has prepared lesson plans for each of these and is willing to share. Plan your fall around NOOMA!

Fair Trade Bible Study

2008-07-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

Looking for an engaging Fall Bible Study? A PC(USA) related group called Partners for Just Trade has just released a six-part Bible Study called “Fair Trade: Using Our Purchasing Power for Justice and Hope.” Fair Trade is a model of international commerce that ensures farmers and workers in developing countries receive a just price for their products, which helps them compete in the global marketplace and promote development in their financially strapped communities. The study walks readers through the principles of Fair Trade by means of personal narration, Biblical passages and questions for reader reflection. The table of contents for all six sessions can be viewed here. A sample session can be accessed here. The entire study can be downloaded for $5 here.

A New NOOMA

2008-07-09T09:00:00.002-04:00

A new NOOMA DVD has arrived at the Resource Center. This one is entitled "Shells." This NOOMA deals with our use of time. The stories in the Gospels reveal that Jesus did not do it all. He did not heal every sick person. He did not meet every need or preach every possible sermon. After a busy day of healing, Luke records that Jesus went off by himself to pray. Rob preaches, "Busyness is a drug that many people are addicted to." He asks, "Where are you focusing your God-given energies?" This 11 minute DVD is another excellent discussion starter from Rob Bell.

Top Borrower for June

2008-07-07T09:00:00.000-04:00

We have a new Top Borrower at the Resource Center. For the month of June, Rebecca Wertime wrestled the title from one of our presbytery's most avid readers, John Barlow. Congratulations Rebecca! I hope you put those seven Kerygma resources to good use. Teach those Presbyterians the Bible!

Bible Study Idea

2008-07-02T09:00:00.001-04:00

Kathy Kuhn (of Camp Hill Church) used The Lucy Show Bible Study for an adult VBS program this summer. And her over-50 crowd loved it! This study weaves together clips from the show, scripture, and questions for discussion. Consider this resource as you plan fall curriculum.

Celebrating the 4th

2008-06-30T09:00:00.004-04:00

I grew up in an evangelical church in a small town. One Sunday when I was home for summer vacation during seminary, a member of the church choir sang "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood as the offertory selection. As the accompanment track started up, I slumped down in my seat and started squirming.

Ever since that moment, I have thought about how Christians should celebrate patriotic holidays. Diversity abounds. Growing up in my home church, active duty military wore their uniforms on patriotic Sundays like the Fourth and Memorial Day and were recognized from the pulpit. This, thankfully, is not a practice that all churches follow. (Personally, I see this as a direct affront to the gospel. Have these Christians not read the Sermon on the Mount?)

Not to be left out in patriotic displays, the PCUSA has several patriotic songs in the "National Songs" section of the blue hymnal. Both "My Country, Tis of Thee" (561) and "O Beautiful for Spacious Skies" (564) are available for incorporation into your lituries for July 6.

"America! America! God mend thy every flaw." One reason diversity exists in the celebration of patriotic holidays in this country is because of what the flag represents to different people. Is America primarily a city on a hill, a defender of human rights, and a land of the free? Or is it a nation that often fails to live up to these ideals in its foreign policy, is governed by its own interests rather than the common good of the human family, and a nation that wages war for oil? Do we acknowledge our corporate sins as a nation? Or do see only the victories and sacrifices that have built this vibrant democratic society?

A deeper reason is that many compartmentalize their religion. For most of us, religion is a private matter. While we affirm our beliefs together in the form of the Creed every Sunday morning, things get fuzzy when we read passages of scripture than relate our personal life to the lives of others. Reinhold Niebuhr was right. Human beings are sinners. Too often our public morality is governed by what favors our interests rather than what the life and teachings of Jesus would have us do. Glossing over our own pride and selfishness can give us a blindspot to those behaviors in our nation.

How should we celebrate? Should we sit out all celebrations and look down on those that do? Should we arrange a display of red, white, and blue flowers in front of our houses and plant mini-American flags among them? Should we give up on what America stands for (or used to stand for)? Or should we call the nation to repent and fight for equality and dignity for all people?

One thing we all should do is take the day off, have a cookout, and discuss these issues with our family and friends.

(I recommend reading Ted A. Smith's essay on celebrating the 4th in the current Christian Century.)

Religious Tolerance: What Does It Mean?

2008-06-25T13:11:00.003-04:00

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released some interesting survey results this week. One question asked by pollsters was whether many different religions can lead to eternal life. To this question, 79% of Catholics, 72% of Orthodox, and 66% of Protestants agreed that religions different from one's own could lead to eternal life.

In reference to this question, I can imagine someone from my home church (from the Baptist tradition) replying that such a tolerant view of other faiths directly contradicts Jesus' words in the the gospel of John that state "no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) To someone from this perspective, this means that only Christians (those who confess Christ) will inherit eternal life. Yet the article states that 57% of evangelical Christians accept that other religions can lead to eternal life.

Catholics since Vatican 2 affirm this verse from John, but at the same time acknowledge that salvation can be achieved outside the church for those faithfully practicing other faiths. How? Because Christ is at work in the other faith. This is partly what is meant by the concept of the "anonymous Christian."

Though the survey does not report a figure for mainline Protestants specifically, the number that affirm the statement must be higher than 66%. What does it mean that more than two thirds of us do not believe that salvation is only for Christians?

Perhaps it means that many of us are interpreting scripture in light of its historical context. For instance, Marcus Borg theorizes that the words attributed to Jesus in John 14 reflect a concern among early Christians in the Johannine community that Jewish Christians will drift back to the synagogue.

Or perhaps the tolerance of other faiths is an example of an eclectic approach to religious life seen most readily in the "spiritual but not religious" crowd. Perhaps we mainliners are more secular than we realize. Perhaps the increasingly diverse makeup of our communities, the easy availability of information from all parts of the world, and growing acceptance of otherness of all kinds has made us less dogmatic. Perhaps we are interpreting scripture through this lens. The question is, should we? And, at the same time, how can we not?

New Merton Documentary

2008-06-23T09:00:00.005-04:00

There's a new Merton documentary! Morgan Atkinson's film, entitled Soul Searching: The Journey of Thomas Merton, was released on DVD in 2007. Because Merton's life is so rich, this is welcome news. The first Merton documentary, Paul Wilkes' Merton: A Film Biography (1984), was true to its title. Beginning with his early life in France and England, it traces Merton's life from Cambridge, to Columbia, to Gethsemani, to his interests in peace and civil rights, to his interest in Asian religions, and finally to his tragic death in Bangkok while attending an interfaith monastic conference. Along the way, it interviews various people close to Merton to give the viewer a sense of Merton's significance and greatness.

Soul Searching attempts to tell the same story with very similar methods (and even some of the same talking heads). The first obvious improvement is the quality of the picture and visual imagery. In a scene in A Film Biography displaying undergraduates partying in Cambridge that is supposed to give the viewer a sense of Merton's wild days, what really comes through is how bad women's haircuts were in the 80s. Soul Searching does not suffer from this problem. One of the best parts about Soul Searching is the manner in which it uses footage of different settings in which Merton lived (including footage of New York in the 1930s, the inside of Gethsemani as well as its rural grounds, photos of the novices he taught as Novice Master, and the hermitage where he lived in the 60s) to give the viewer a sense of the world in which he lived.

One of the problems with Soul Searching is the scant attention it gives to several important aspects of his life. It does not pick up his story until he reaches Columbia University. One of the important issues in his life is his constant search for home. (This yearning for home was manifest later in his life in his search to find his true vocation.) Leaving out how he got to Columbia does not the give the viewer a sense of how important this quest was in his life. In addition, it spends too little time on his interests in Christian mysticism, peace, civil rights, and especially the Asian contemplative traditions.

One theme Soul Searching develops that A Film Biography leaves out is Merton's romantic feelings for a young nurse who cared for him in a Louisville hospital while recovering from back surgery. I guess this means that I have not read his journals from this period, but this section of the DVD was a part of Merton's story that was new to me. It helped to humanize Merton the mystic, prophet, and saint.

Overall, Soul Searching is very much worth seeing. I wish there was a way to make a documentary about someone like Merton other than splicing together (sometimes without enough attention paid to transitions) the comments of an uneven assortment of talking heads, but I guess most viewers would not be able to sit through a narrator reading from his books for an hour. It's not perfect, but it is another very good introduction to one of the most important Christian voices of the 20th century, one that still speaks very much to our time.

Climate Change Resoures

2008-06-18T09:00:00.001-04:00

One of the biggest issues facing the human family these days is climate change. Here are a few resources to help your church address this complex issue.

1.) A Moral Climate: The Ethics of Global Warming by Michael Northcott. In his review of this book in the Christian Century, Sam Wells called this book "the outstanding book in the field."

2.) "Global Climate Change: Facts and Resources" from The Thoughtful Christian. This study can be downloaded for $10 here.

3.) Serve God Save the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth.

4.) The Bill McKibben Reader: Pieces from an Active Life. This book is a collection of essays from one of America's leading voices on the environment.

5.) An Inconvenient Truth. Love him or hate him, this documentary featuring Al Gore is entertaining and extremely educational.

A Creative Idea

2008-06-11T10:07:00.002-04:00

Our newest educator is taking a creative approach to Sunday School curriculum this summer. Cheryl Goode at Pine Street is using The Gospel According to the Simpsons curriculum to teach the youth class. You go Cheryl!

Your Favorite New Prayer Book

2008-06-10T11:39:00.005-04:00

This book of prayers is in the tradition of Walter Rauschenbusch's For God and the People: Prayers of the Social Awakening. The editors have assembled a fine collection of prayers from a wide variety of Christian authors that address concrete social concerns. I plan on using Stanley Hauerwas' prayer "For America" in the service I will be leading on July 6.

Does God Care about the Poor?

2008-06-09T15:50:00.005-04:00

Bono, frontman of the Irish rock band U2, thinks so. Check out this short sermon he preached in a decidedly non-church setting. (If you are in a hurry, fast forward to the 3 minute mark.)

Study Bible Showdown

2008-06-06T11:36:00.003-04:00

A friend asked me recently which study Bible I recommend. There are newer options available than my red Oxford NRSV Study Bible, so I thought I would solicit the wisdom of my learned readers to help me advise my friend. I will even narrow it down for you. Do you prefer the Harper Collins Study Bible or the New Interpreter's Study Bible? (Please vote by leaving a comment.)

Top Borrower for May

2008-05-28T11:32:00.009-04:00

It was a close race, but we do have a clear winner. John Barlow is the Resource Center's Top Borrower for the month of May. Congratulations John! What makes this even sweeter is that John has won this meritorious designation two months in a row. (John, we recommend that you list this prestigious award on your CV.) We salute you, John, for your commitment to loving God with your mind. We also salute you for returning items in a timely fashion.

One of the important questions facing this presbytery is who can unseat John in the month of June. Who will wrestle this illustrious title from his able grasp?

Sitting at the Master's Feet

2008-05-27T14:36:00.003-04:00

One of our Christian educators, Debby Madden, has written a very creative piece in the summer issue of Advocate. Her article, "Spiritual Discipline: The Year I Didn't Buy Shoes," describes a yearlong spiritual discipline she took up in 2006. Jesus said, "Wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6:21) She discovered that her love of shoes had become the treasure of her heart. They had, in her words, "become a god to me."

The article recounts how difficult it was for her not to buy a pair of shoes for an entire year. Some may dismiss Deb's discipline because of her admission that she already owned 137 pairs of shoes before she started. Those who look deeper will see a challenge to uncover what is the treasure of their heart. What they will find is a challenge to remove whatever it is that impedes their relationship with God.

DVD Study Promo

2008-05-22T10:08:00.003-04:00

Are you looking for an adult education resource from a progressive perspective? Living the Questions is a high quality DVD resource featuring many of the most significant voices in progressive Christianity. Click here to view sample clips from this exciting resource.

Bible Study Resources

2008-05-19T14:25:00.003-04:00

The "For Today" series is a great series of books that can be used to lead bible studies or book discussion groups. The books are current. Chapters are compact and concise. Discussion questions are found at the end of each chapter. The series includes volumes on the Beatitudes, Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Life of Jesus. Check one out today!

Another Immigration Resource

2008-05-14T14:13:00.003-04:00

A feature film addressing the immigration issue is playing at a local theater. The critically acclaimed film The Visitor is playing in Harrisburg at the Midtown Cinema. Showtimes can be found by clicking here. If I have a chance to see it this weekend, I will post a review next week.

Resources on the Immigration Issue

2008-05-05T10:56:00.003-04:00

Immigration is a huge concern these days. In our culture, different interests are lined up on opposite sides of the debate. Below are a few resources to help your congregation sort out this complex issue.

1.) Debating Immigration, edited by Carol M. Swain. This collection of 18 essays on the immigration debate explores the issue from the perspectives of religion, law and policy, economics and demographics, and race.

2.) Immigrant America: A Portrait by Alejandro Portes and Ruben Rumbaut. Recognized for its superb portrayal of immigration and immigrant life in the US, this book probes the dynamics of immigrant politics, examining questions of identity and loyalty among newcomers, and explores the psychological consequences of varying modes of migration and acculturation.

3.) Vicki Lantz at Second Carlisle is tackling the issue this month. Kudos to Vicki for taking this on. We look forward to hearing about your experience.

4.) David True is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Wilson College in Chambersburg and a member of Carlisle Presbytery. Dave is very interested in this topic. He taught a class at Wilson on it this spring and is giving a paper on it at the American Academy of Religion meeting in the fall. He made a very interesting presentation on the topic in the fall of 2007 at Market Square Church.

And the Winnner Is...

2008-04-30T14:28:00.004-04:00

The Top Borrower at the presbytery Resource Center for the month of April is John Barlow. Congratulations John! Since we could not find a picture of you, we celebrate your achievement with an image of a true American hero.

My Two Cents on Preaching

2008-04-28T11:53:00.005-04:00

I have heard (and preached) a few sermons in my day. Below are my current thoughts on the art of proclamation.

A sermon needs to have a point. Retelling the scripture lesson is not a sermon. A series of random thoughts which include an incident from the preacher's life, something he or she has read in a commentary, a piece of news, and a quote from the Christian Century is not a sermon. A sermon without a clear point is vague and leaves the hearer wondering what the point of the sermon actually was.

There are several possible points that can be developed in each scripture passage. Pick one.

A sermon needs to have a story. Please don't obtain this story from a book of illustrations. Unearth something from your reading. Or, mine your own life. Pay attention to your day. Live with the text. What is God saying to you this week in coversation with this text?

A sermon is different from an essay or an article. It does not develop a point. A sermon illustrates the point the preacher is trying to make. I like to think of a sermon as having four scenes. The different scenes include the point of the sermon, the connection of your point with the text, a good story, and a bit of nuance that comes from something the preacher has read in a commentary, theology text, or novel. The creativity comes in as the preacher arranges the four scenes to fit the message of the day.

Caring for Children as Spiritual Practice

2008-04-23T14:35:00.003-04:00

Caring for and raising children is an extremely demanding job. One of the many difficulties it raises is finding the time to practice one's spirituality. If we think of the spiritual life in terms of silence and solitude, does this mean that parents with children must postpone life with God until the kids have left the nest? Renowned practical theologian Bonnie Miller-McLemore's newest book examines how parents can reconceptualize the spiritual life to find God in the midst of all the demands of life with children.

The difficulty of this work is that it is targeted at a group of people who have little time to read! I think this book can serve as the basis of a fantastic study for parents at your church.

Pray as You Go

2008-04-21T15:25:00.002-04:00

Looking for something to help you practice your spirituality, but simply too busy to find five minutes of quiet time? If you have an mp3 player, the Jesuits of Great Britain offer an incredible resource at http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/. This site has free, downloadable audio files for each weekday. The files contain soothing music, a scripture lesson, and a questions to help you reflect on the passage. Perfect for commuters and other busy people who need to take their spirituality with them (rather than leaving it at home).

Need Some Help with Spiritual Formation?

2008-04-16T13:42:00.005-04:00

Do you think that your congregation needs to work on spiritual formation? Do you feel inadequate leading groups in spiritual practices? The Office of Spiritual Formation has your back. Their publication Lord, Teach Us to Pray is a very good resource that teaches you in very simple terms how to teach and lead groups in simple spiritual practices.

Preaching and Personal Experience

2008-04-09T14:28:00.003-04:00

In her book Preaching as Testimony, Anna Carter Florence contends that preachers today recognize that they are living in a different world and that the rules of preaching have changed. They're just not sure what they are. She claims that in this new world, the history of women’s modes of preaching is especially relevant. In her study of the history of women’s preaching, she discovered that women have been preaching for a long time (as early as 1636 in America). Since they were not able to do so as ordained preachers until relatively recently, they gave "testimonies" rather than sermons. What does "testimony" mean to Florence? In short, testimony refers to the incorporation of human experience into proclamation. As she states in the Introduction, "Preaching in the tradition of testimony offers us a view of what it takes to become a preacher and to be a preacher: by rooting ourselves so deeply in text and context that we embody the Word we proclaim–and must testify to what we have seen and believed. Preaching in the testimony tradition calls us to live in and live out the Word of God."

Florence is not primarily concerned with the practice of "giving one's testimony." She is interested in redefining the task of preaching away from the crafting of a message toward living in the text and reporting one's experience with it. Those who have a problem with personal stories from the pulpit and those who think personal narrative enhances the communication of the Gospel will find an able dialogue partner in Florence. Highly recommended for all who preach.

The Thoughtful Christian

2008-04-07T10:57:00.003-04:00

There when you need it. Whether it's Saturday and you really need a Sunday School lesson or you are simply looking for timely education materials on topics such as the impact of video games on children, The Thoughtful Christian is a great place to look. I just finished reading the lesson on Celtic Christianity and think it would be a very interesting and engaging session for adults. (Thanks to Cindy Sproat at MSPC for the sample.)

For the Bible Tells Me So

2008-04-02T10:10:00.003-04:00

I saw the powerful documentary For the Bible Tells Me So in a packed Market Square Presbyterian Church sanctuary on January 25, 2008. It has now been released on DVD. The filmmaker, Daniel Karslake, is a native of Camp Hill. The film has two overarching themes. First, it explores the experiences of five Christian families and their journeys to accept a gay family member. Second, it uses interviews with biblical scholars and religious leaders to argue that Christian and Jewish discrimination of gays is based on a misinterpretation of the Bible. It is a wonderful film and highly recommended. Check it out today.

New Release--NOOMA #19: Open

2008-03-31T15:01:00.002-04:00

The 19th installment of the NOOMA series has recently been released. It is entitled Open. This one talks about answers to prayer. Rob says that if we understand how Jesus prayed, our concepts and expectations of prayer would change.

To celebrate the new release, I give you my current Top 10 favorite NOOMA videos.

1. Rhythm

2. Lump
3. Rich
4. Store
5. Luggage
6. Open
7. Name
8. Kickball
9. Flame
10. Trees

The Power of Forgiveness

2008-03-26T14:52:00.004-04:00

During Lent this year, Monaghan Presbyterian Church in Dillsburg explored the theme of forgiveness. In addition to the NOOMA DVD Luggage, Mary Speedy also showed the Martin Doblmeier documentary The Power of Forgiveness. This DVD deals with the subject of forgiveness in chapters on Northern Ireland, the Amish response to the recent school shooting, Elie Weisel and the Holocaust, and other situations around the world in which groups or individuals have been wronged and struggle with how to deal with the aftermath. Instead of showing the entire 78 minute DVD all at once, Mary showed individual chapters of the film and led discussions on them. She is happy to consult with anyone in the presbytery who would like help in tackling the issue of forgiveness in their church.

Did You Know?

2008-03-24T11:46:00.001-04:00

Did you know that Messiah College's Murray Library grants clergy free library privileges? Simply show your presbytery membership card at the Circulation Desk, and they will give you a library card on the spot, free of charge.

Movie Night Idea

2008-03-19T13:29:00.002-04:00

Protestants love Dietrich Bonhoeffer. His story is so compelling, so inspirational, that we return to it again and again. This DVD by Martin Doblmeier is the best of the many videos about Bonhoeffer's life. I saw it for the first time during its one week run at the Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg. I have been an enthusiastic promoter of it ever since.

This 90 minute DVD chronicles the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer through pictures, archival footage of Germany and its leaders, and interveiws with scholars (including Bonhoeffer's close friend and editor Eberhard Bethge) and family members. A must see for anyone interested in Bonhoeffer, the Second World War, or the role of Christians in a hostile world.