Manna
A Wisconsin Conference publication written for pastors,
Christian educators and directors.
To help us get where God wants us to go.
click here to download Acrobat Reader
*please contact the Wisconsin Conference UCC
for previous copies of Manna.
Current issue: Fall 2007: Bible
for All (PDF)
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Great Lakes
Association of United Church Educators
GLAUCE seeks:
 | To provide a supportive community of people. |
| To promote and interpret the teaching ministry as a vital element in the life of
Christ's Church. |
| To maintain and provide supportive learning and growth opportunities for persons engaged
in the teaching ministry. |
AUCE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION: If you would like information about
joining AUCE, the Association of United Church Educators, visit their web site at
www.AUCE-Educators.org
Our
Whole Lives
Our Whole Lives
is a faith-based
sexuality curriculum prepared by the United Church of
Christ and Unitarian Universalists. It is
written for four grade levels: K+1, 4-6, and 7-9, 10-12.
Our Whole Lives
provides
accurate, age appropriate information to help children and youth develop
positive attitudes, increase esteem and respect for self and others, understand
their family’s values and build healthy relationship skills which will serve
them throughout their lives, all in a Christian context of love and justice.
A booklet of questions and answers will tell you more!
The Wisconsin Conference is pleased to have four highly competent people who
have been schooled to offer
Our
Whole Lives curriculum training. A
workshop for your leaders will prepare them to utilize this important curriculum
with your children and youth.
For more information on Our Whole lives
contact GONeal@wcucc.org.
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Resources
Fashion Me a
People: Curriculum for the church, By Maria
Harris Westminster/John Knox Press, Louisville,
KY © 1989. ISBN: 0-664-24052-6
Insightful look at the educational mission of the congregation. “Everything we
do is Christian education.” This resource is excellent for CE committees as
they look at ways to expand and empower the educational ministry of the
congregation. Encompasses the total teaching mission of the church, it includes
community service, worship, proclamation and instruction of all members from
birth to death. Each chapter has exercises and reflection questions.
Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for
Meaning. By James W. Fowler, Harper San Francisco, NY © 1981. ISBN:
0-06-062866-9
This is a foundational book that explores Faith Development as opposed to
psychological and biological development. This work is based on ecumenical,
inter-denominational research on faith, not religious development. > Stages of Faith can provide a basic roadmap
for our personal and congregational faith journeys.
Engaging in Transcendence: the Church’s Ministry and Covenant with Young
Children. By Barbara Kimes Myers and William R. Myers, Pilgrim Press, Cleveland
OH. ISBN: 0-8298-0932-5.
The Covenant Story of the Bible.
By Alexander Campbell, Educational
Ministries, © 1994. ISBN 1-877871-69-9.
This book uncovers the biblical drama as viewed through the lens of The
Covenant. God establishes the covenant and human break the covenant and yet God
renews the covenant. This book is geared to the Jr. High age level and is
therefore great for introductory adult bible study as well as it provides a
comprehensive overview of the Bible and our covenantal relationship with God.
Theory and Theology
To Know as We Are Known By
Palmer,Parker
Program ideas:
Church Educator A practical journal of sound ideas
Creative Ideas for Advent (several volumes) Robert & Linda Davidson
Creative Ideas for Lent (Robert Davidson) Educational Ministries, Inc.
Both of these book resources provide seasonal skits, crafts, worship
ideas, creative approaches to celebration
VBS:
Many preview kits are available from the publishers; watch out for programs
that require you to purchase supplemental craft and materials, these can become
expensive (and sometimes very “plastic”). Also it wise to review ALL
the lesson plans. Share the materials with your
pastor or consult the UCC Statement of Faith if you have any questions or concerns.
Content
may need to be adjusted more closely to reflect the United Church of Christ
Theology.
Children:
Jesus and His Kingdom of Equals (Binkley/Mc Keel) Polebridge Press
Presents 33 weekly lessons including drama, simulations, crafts. Content from
Jesus Seminar research. For youth grades 4 - 7.
Cornerstones Facilitates rotation workshop style; individual lessons (one
hour length) may be purchased separately for special events or sessions
Confirmation:
Becoming and Belonging William Myers, (United Church Press)
Does some re-thinking about the traditional approach to confirmation, along with
some practical lesson suggestions.
Affirming Faith: A Confirmand' s
Guide With the student journal, this
is a comprehensive guide for a traditional confirmation program.
Claim the Name This United Methodist resource series is a helpful
supplement to U.C.C. materials. Some separate resources include a retreat guide,
mentor discussion point, and confirmation lessons.
The Gospel According to the Simpson's Bible
Study Guide
While the televised material is rather irreverent (which can be a “hook”
with this age), many topics of faith and integrity are raised. Consider
re-working the questions in the study guide to uncover the most relevant issues
raised by the material itself. Many of the episode suggestions provide helpful
springboards to discussion (i.e. Why attend church? How does prayer really
work?).
Youth:
Teenage Spirituality for Idiots (William Grimbol) Addressed to older
teens, however, leaders for this age may appreciate the “big picture” down
to earth approach this author has for issues of faith.
Games (The Ideas Library) for Youth Groups (several volumes)
Discussion Starters (The Ideas Library for Youth Groups Zondervan
Publishing
Games and discussion ideas; you may need to edit for theological compatibility
with your congregation/personal outlook.
Go to the grocery store and buy them food!
Adult:
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time By Marcus Borg
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time By Marcus Borg.
Both of these
books provide scholarship and personal reflections from this Jesus Seminar
contributor.
Remedial Christianity (Paul Alan Laughlin) Polebridge Press
This detailed book is densely filled with information about the Christian faith:
from history, to scripture, to theology. Includes discussion questions.
Resources at
Your fingertips:
ALWAYS THINK THEOLOGICALLY!!!!!!
Catalogs that are free (and have interesting stuff and good ideas)
Social Studies Catalog 800-543-4180 www.teachersdiscovery.com
Educational Resources (software) 800-624-2926 www.edresources.com
Building Bridges (religious art) 802-864-8346 www.BridgeBuilding.com
Gateway Films/Vision Video 800-523-0226 www.visionvideo.com
Sunday School Software 800-678-1948 www.sundaysoftware.com
Friendship Press (Global Resource) 800-889-5733
The Printery House (religious) 800-322-2737
One Way Street (puppets) 303-790-1188 www.onewaystreet.com
S&S Recreation Crafts 800-243-9232 www.snswwide.com
Sportime (Sports equipment) 800-283-5700 www.sportime.com
Anderson’s Prom & Party catalog 800-328-9640 www.andersonsparty.co
Stump's Prom & Party Catalog 800-348-5084 www.stumpsprom.com
Prom Nite 800-328-5393 www.promnite.com
Harding’s of Chicago 800-231-2528 www.hardingschicago.com
Geography
When looking for maps and information about the Holy Lands don’t forget the
local Library! There are travel books about Israel, Egypt and other countries
that are important in our church history. You don’t need to buy a thing!
If you want maps that you can use and reproduce for your teachers, classes or as
overheads a good source is:
Reproducible Maps. Charts. Timelines and Illustrations 1989 Gospel Light
ISBN 0-8308-1938-5. 800- 4-GOSPEL.
NOTE: When using this book, or others, please read all the information that
appears on the page. You must be certain that the theology is compatible with
that of your
congregation.
Oxford
Archaeological Guides: The Holy Lands, Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, Oxford
University Press, ISBN: 019288013-6.
This book has excellent information about
many of the locations that our Biblical story takes place. There are good
architectural drawings and maps that can enhance your understanding of the story
without overwhelming you.
Israel: Past and Present, Frommer’s, 1998 by Simon and Schuster, Inc.
ISBN 0-02-862251-0
This book is excellent as it allows you to
see what 16 different sites looked like during biblical times and present time.
Acetate overlays are used to “fill out” the ancient ruins.
Cooking Resources
Feasting with God: Adventures in Table Spirituality, Holly Whitcomb,
United Church Press, Cleveland,1996. ISBN 0829811532
Extending the Table: A World Community Cookbook Joetta Handrich
Schulabach, Herald Press, Scottdale, PA
1991 ISBN 083513561X (www.mph.org)
The Frugal Gourmet Keeps the Feast, Jeff
Smith, William Morrow and Company, NY 1995, ISBN:0688115683. (Out of print)
The Good Book Cookbook, Naomi Goodman, Robert Marcus, and Susan
Woolhandler, 1986.
A Biblical Feast: Foods
from the Holy Lands,
Kitty Morse, Ten Speed Press, Berkeley CA,1998,
ISBN:0898150652.
The Jewish Kitchen, Judy
Jackson, ed, Chartwell Books, NJ 1996, ISBN: 0785806393.
Internet sites:
http://www.ucc.org
UCC
denominational
site
http://www.textweek.com
Lectionary resources. It includes an art concordance and a movie connection that
are helpful but not available for every story.
http://www.jesus2O00.com
Virtual tour through Holy Lands
—
you can see Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem
and other biblical sites.
http://www.upperroom.org-
Upper room web site-
daily devotions + other resources.
http://www.crosssearch.com
religious search engine
http://www.elca.org
ELCA national web page
http://www.ncccusa.org
National Council of Churches
http://www.pcusa.org/art/
Presbyterian Church USA —
One Great Hour
of Sharing
http://www.wcc-coe.org
World Council of Churches
http://www.montreal.anglican.org/comment/
lectionary resources
Internet Bible Resources
http://www.bible.gospelcom.net
Bible Gateway
http://www.bsw.org/
(BIBLICAL STUDIES ON THE WEB)
http://www.nobs.org/
(Network of Biblical Storytellers—NOBS)
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Always
a partial BIBLIOGRAPHY of interesting
resources
Kerygma Program – adult series on numerous topics:
www.kerygma.com
To Begin at the Beginning by Martin Copenhaver (Pilgrim Press) – the new
edition has study questions for each chapter
Donald L. Griggs (
Westminster
John Knox Press)
The Bible From Scratch: The New Testament for Beginners
The Bible From Scratch: The Old Testament for Beginners
Get Acquainted with the Bible by Gary L. Ball-Kilbourne (Abingdon Press)
Get Acquainted with the Christian Faith
by Kent Millard (Abingdon Press)
Marcus Borg (Harper,
San Francisco
)
Reading the Bible Again for the first Time
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time
Heart of Christianity
The God We Never Knew
Philip Yancey (Zondervan)
The Bible Jesus Read
What’s So Amazing About Grace
The Jesus I Never Knew
Finding God in Unexpected Places
Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens
by Dorothy Bass and Don Richter
(Upper Room Books)
Dorothy Bass (Jossey-Bass)
Practicing Our Faith:
A Way
of Life for a Searching People
Receiving the Day: Christian Practices for Opening the Gift of Time
Leading Lives that Matter: What
should we do and who should we be
Prayer for People Who Can’t Sit Still by William Tenny-Brittian (Chalice Press)
No Experience Necessary (Bible Study Units 1-2-3) (
Augsburg
Fortress)
Wisdom’s Daughters by Elizabeth G. Watson (Pilgrim Press)
Barbara J. Essex (Pilgrim Press)
Bad Boys of the Bible
Bad Girls of the Bible
Bad Boys of the New Testament
Companions in Christ: A SmallGroup Experience in Spiritual Formation
(Upper Room Books) www.companionsinchrist.org
Questions of Faith (EcuFilm) - DVD Series
featuring well known theologians on faith with study questions for discussion
Kathleen Norris (Riverhead Books/Penguin)
Amazing Grace
Cloister Walk
Living the Questions
12-week small group DVD series on progressive
Christianity
- An Invitation
to Journey
- Thinking
Theologically
- Creativity and
Stories of Creation
- Restoring
Relationships
- Evil and a God
of Love: The Place of Suffering
- Intimacy with
God
- Social Justice
and The Prophets
- A Kingdom
Without Walls: Ruth & Jonah
- Lives of Jesus
- Compassion: the
Heart of Jesus' Ministry
- A Passion for
Christ: Paul the Apostle
- Out into the
World: Challenges Facing Progressive Christianity
Barbara Brown
Taylor
(Cowley Publications)
Speaking of Sin
When God is Silent
Seeds of Heaven
Mixed Blessings
Bread of Angels
Luminous Web
The Preaching Life
Rev. Holly Whitcomb
Feasting with God (United Church Press)
Practicing Your Path: A Book of Retreats for
Intentional Life (Innisfree Press)
Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting (
Augsburg
Press)
Bible and Spiritual Disciplines (Pilgrim Press)
Speaking of Faith (National Public Radio)
A series of radio programs providing a wide range
of discussion topics
This I Believe - NPR dialogue on personal
values and civic ideals
Mid-Life: Coming Home by Sarah Smith
(Ragged Edge Press)
Introduction to the Old Testament
by Anthony Ceresko (Orbis Press)
A Hidden Wholeness by Parker J. Palmer (Jossey
Bass Books)
Life Quest Publications
Cell Phones, Dessert, and Faith by Steve Clapp –
on stewardship
Widening the Welcome of Your Church by Fred
Bernhard and Steve Clapp – on hospitality
The Evolution of a UCC Style
by Randi Jones
Walker
(United Church Press)
Oil and Water: Two Faiths: One God
by Amir Hussain (Copperhouse Press)
The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew -
Three Women Search for Understanding
by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner (Free Press)
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