Congregational Life Ministries staff are posting a daily blog on www.brethren.org to accompany the 2014 Advent devotional published by Brethren Press. The blogposts are provided each day from the first Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, through Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2015.
Brethren Press
Brethren Press Offers Advent Devotional, Winter Guide for Biblical Studies, Yearbook on CD
Brethren Press has a number of new resources available including “Awake: Devotions for Advent Through Epiphany,” “Church of the Brethren Yearbook: 2014 Directory, 2013 Statistics” in CD format, and the winter quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies” on the theme “Acts of Worship.” Purchase from Brethren Press at www.brethrenpress.com or order by calling 800-441-3712.
‘Awake’ Advent Devotional, Fall ‘Guide,’ Updated Generation Why Are New from Brethren Press
New resources from Brethren Press include “Awake: Devotions for Advent Through Epiphany,” the 2014 Advent devotional written by Sandy Bosserman; the fall 2014 quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies” on the theme Sustaining Hope written by Larry M. Dentler, Ken Gibble, and Frank Ramirez; and a series of Bible studies for youth as part of an update of the Generation Why curriculum. More information about each resource follows; order online at www.brethrenpress.com or from Brethren Press customer service at 800-441-3712.
‘Shine Together’ Guide for Leaders and Teachers Helps Introduce New Curriculum
“Shine Together: The Essential Guide for Leaders and Teachers” is now ready for immediate shipping from Brethren Press. “Shine Together” introduces teachers and leaders to ways to transform Sunday school into a time of nurturing faith and experiencing God’s love. The book not only explains the nuts and bolts of a Shine session but also faith formation, the inclusion of children who learn differently, spiritual practices with children, and more. Shine is the new curriculum from Brethren Press and MennoMedia.
Brethren Press Offers Summer Curriculum
Brethren Press is offering a variety of curriculum for this summer, including the final quarter of Gather ’Round, the predecessor to the new Shine curriculum; A Guide for Biblical Studies on the topic “The People of God Set Priorities” written by Al Hansell; and a Vacation Bible School curriculum from MennoMedia focused on biblical hospitality, titled “Give and Receive God’s Great Love.”
‘Shine’ Fall Quarter and Starter Kits Are Now Available for Children’s Sunday School
“Shine,” the new Christian education curriculum from Brethren Press and MennoMedia, is now available to congregations for the fall quarter. Also available now are two starter kits: The Shine Starter Kit with a quarter’s worth of Shine materials; and the Shine Multiage Starter Kit for congregations with a range of age groups.
‘Guide for Biblical Studies’ Studies Jesus’ Fulfillment of Scripture
Author Estella Horning has written the Spring quarter of “A Guide for Biblical Studies,” the Brethren Press curriculum for adults. The theme for the quarter is “Jesus’ Fulfillment of Scripture.”
Congregational Life Offers New Spiritual Gifts Resource
When the Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren released the Vital Ministry Journey, staff also began work on a Spiritual Gifts Resource to help congregations and their members explore their gifts and passions for participating in the church. This resource may be used as part of Phase 2 of the Vital Ministry Journey or on its own.
Shine Partners with Faith Forward for 2014 Children’s Ministry Event
Shine, the new curriculum from Brethren Press and MennoMedia, has joined Faith Forward as a presenting partner for their 2014 gathering. Faith Forward is an organization dedicated to bringing together children’s and youth ministry leaders for collaboration, resourcing, and inspiration toward innovative theology and practice. The 2014 Faith Forward gathering will be May 19-22 in Nashville, Tenn.
Brethren Press Announces Curriculum Resources for 2014
Brethren Press has announced curriculum resources for the coming year. In the spring, the Christian education curriculum Gather ’Round is offered for children and youth classes, and A Guide for Biblical Studies for adult classes and small group Bible studies. In the summer, Gather ’Round offers a quarter for multi-age groups of children and for youth, and a Vacation Bible School package is available. In the fall, Brethren Press and MennoMedia will roll out Shine: Living in God’s Light, the successor curriculum to Gather ’Round.