“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.
Training
Mission Across Margins Is Topic for Webinars in May and June
Two webinars with Mike Pears will explore the theme of mission in marginal places. They are sponsored by the Church of the Brethren and its Congregational Life Ministries, with partners in the UK: Urban Expression, Bristol Baptist College, and BMS World Mission.
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.
March 27 Webinar Focuses on ‘Leading Teams: Positives, Pressures and Potentials’
Congregational Life Ministries is offering a webinar on Thursday, March 27, 3:30-5 p.m. (Eastern time), on the topic of “Leading Teams: Positives, Pressures and Potentials” with presenter Fran Beckett. This is the second of two webinars exploring the theme of leadership hosted by the Church of the Brethren and organized together with Urban Expression, Bristol Baptist College, and BMS World Mission, partners based in the UK.
Brethren Academy Issues an Updated Course Listing for 2014
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership has issued an updated listing of courses offered in 2014. Courses are open to Training in Ministry (TRIM) students, pastors, and all interested persons. Offered this year: “Beyond Sunday School,” “Rock the Church,” study in conjunction with the Ministers’ Association event, “Church of the Brethren Polity and Practice,” “Conflict Transformation in Congregations,” and “Luke-Acts and the Birth of the Church.”
Applications Are Due Soon for Nursing Scholarships
The Church of the Brethren awards a limited number of scholarships each year to individuals enrolled in a nursing program. Candidates for the scholarships must be enrolled in an LPN, RN, or nursing graduate program and must be members of the Church of the Brethren. The scholarships are awarded from the Health Education and Research Endowment.
‘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.”
Pre-Conference Events Include Ministers’ Association, Congregational Vitality Workshops
Two ministry training events head the meetings that precede the 2014 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio: the Ministers’ Association, and Congregational Vitality Workshops. Other regular annual meetings held prior to the Conference include the Standing Committee of district delegates, the Mission and Ministry Board, and the Council of District Executives, among others.
Webinars on ‘Generative Leadership’ Offered by Congregational Life Ministries with Partners in the UK
Two new webinars are being offered by Congregational Life Ministries and partners in the United Kingdom. The topic is “Generative Leadership.” Hosted by the Church of the Brethren, the webinars are organized together with Urban Expression, Bristol Baptist College, and BMS World Mission. The webinars feature presenters Kerry Coke and Fran Beckett, Christian leaders actively