Please share what your congregation is doing for Lent! This rich season of the church year is prime time for deepening our worship life and living the remarkable drama of new life in Christ.

Send a note to juliea@eandsynod.org

Lenten Journey: Water Marks is the newest in the Book of Faith Lenten Reflections. These water stories from both Old and New Testaments would be really helpful for a focus on baptism. Other Lenten Journeys include 40 Days with the Lord’s Prayer, Marks of the Christian, and Seven Wonders of the Word. Weekly themes and ideas for worship are included. For individual, group, or congregational use. Preview copies available.

Baptismal themes can also be found in the Washed and Welcome Sourcebook. Articles for reprinting in worship folders or newsletters are available. In Living the Promises of Baptism, key bible verses are highlighted.

ELCA World Hunger offers a Lenten series—12 meals, 12 related stories which are also scripted as dramas for those interested, facts, placemats, fundraising and ideas.

For worship, be sure to consider the DVD series, The Greatest Story: Jesus. The focus on gospel stories includes compelling sand art images that will engage all ages. Preview copy available.

For C.S. Lewis aficionados, themes from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe provide a creative way to focus on Lenten themes using the video, the book, and the LLW Discovery Guide. Copies available.

Check out Pastor Tom Weitzel’s Handbook for the Discipline of Lent, A Lenten Retreat, and Stations of the Cross as well as other Lenten resources at liturgybytlw.com

For worship planning: Worship Guidebook for Lent and the Three Days together with the Music Sourcebook for Lent and the Three Days from Augsburg Fortress. Preview copies available.

Ideas to consider:

Stories Around the Fire: three or four people tell two-minute stories of a favorite Bible verse—how they came across it, what it meant to them then and what it means to them today. Each week people who tell their stories write their names in a congregational family Bible next to their texts in the margins. “We had people as young as nine and people in their 80′s share their stories.”

Sermon series are memorable. There are so many cleverly named series all over the internet. Pick a catchy title and develop your own pieces to it.

Spirituality for Busy People: everybody is busy. Then pick practices such as Sabbath keeping, service, prayer, blessing, eating together, vocation, testimony to unpack during Lent.

Consider Barbara Brown Taylor’s An Altar in the World: look for God outside of church walls. Take a chapter a week to find God in the everyday events of our lives. Have people tells stories of God at work, at school, at leisure—in unexpected places.

The timelessness of Holden Evening Prayer: “We are still in love with Holden Evening Prayer—it sustains us year after year!”

For a rich Lenten worship experience, consider the new Holden Prayer Around the Cross, a set of resources adapted from Holden Evening Prayer and Prayer Around the Cross by Susan Briehl, Tom Witt, and Marty Haugen. To accompany HPAC, a set of musical resources is available in Singing Our Prayer: Companion to Holden Prayer Around the Cross.

TheThoughtfulChristian.com has several downloadable resources available for Lent. Take a look at Walking the Way of the Cross with Paul.

You’re invited to take a look at a stewardship resource ideal for Lent: Mark Allan Powell’s Biblical Stewardship: Our Duty and Delight features seven 20-minute video sessions on DVD, a comprehensive study guide and participant handouts. Session titles include Belonging to God, What is a Steward?, Treasures and Hearts, Motives for Giving, Duty and Delight, and Cheerful Sacrifices.

The 40 Day Journey books for small groups or individual use are designed for Lent. Titles include Journeys with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Joan Chittister, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Madeleine L’Engle, and others.

If you’ve found the Nooma films interesting, consider matching themes from the texts for Lent with the short and engaging DVDs. It’s an excellent way to repeat the themes and invite conversation about the weekly texts. Call the Resource Center for a list!

Bread themes for Lent? Try a Lenten study called Bread in the Wilderness: Spiritual Famine or Gospel Feast, six sessions about hunger and food. A new six-part bible study called Bread and Broth also invites participants to share soup and bread while learning about Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Elisha, John the Baptist and Jesus.

Northwestern Minnesota Synod has shared “Lent 2012: A Season for Prayer and Renewal.” For congregational renewal and reflection, it includes prayer petitions, a plan for midweek worship, Bible readings, mission resources and more. Call the Resource Center for a copy or download.

Teach us to Pray introduces participants to the full spectrum of Christian prayer methods and encourages them to incorporate these practices into their daily lives. Twenty-two lesson plans can be used as a year-long course, as four separate courses or individually. Adaptable for Lent, adult education, prayer and spirituality groups or retreats.

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Open for Exploration: Lent 2012

What does it mean to “be church?” What are we called to do, to be? How does our structure support our sense of mission and call? The following resources may be helpful for congregations rethinking mission and church structure.

The Congregational Leadership Series provides practical steps for looking at context (Our Context: Exploring Our Congregation and Community); mission (Our Mission: Discovering God’s Call to Us); structure (Structure: Carrying Out the Vision); and stewardship (Our Stewardship: Managing Our Assets). Additional resources help with staffing, identifying leaders, and shaping and defining church committees. Preview copies available for loan.

Martha Grace Reese’s Unbinding the Gospel Series is one place for congregations to begin considering who they are and what they are called to do. It includes an all church study and 40 days of prayer and faith sharing outlined in Unbinding Your Heart. In Unbinding Your Church, pastors and leaders are invited to a conversation about relearning why we have a story that needs telling. Two additional resources follow: Unbinding the Gospel about real life evangelism and Unbinding the Soul about the joy of Christian life. Go to GraceNet (external link) for more information and church resource guides. Available for loan.

Discovering Hope: Building Vitality in Rural Congregations and a companion resource, Building Hope, offer practical help by telling stories of 26 effective congregations. Available for loan.

Some 21st century reformers who help us think about church as a verb, practices of faith, and missional servant ministry are:

• Nadia Bolz-Weber
• Brian McLaren
• Craig Van Gelder
• Diana Butler Bass
• Kenda Creasy Dean
• Rob Bell
• Phyllis Tickle
• Reggie McNeal
• Joan Chittister
• Dorothy Bass

Call the Resource Center for suggestions of resources by these people and many others working to help shape a faithful church.

Natural Church Development is a process for helping leaders focus on church health and mission. Go to The Essence of NCD (external link) for mini-seminars, video clips, books and tools. Books available for loan.

The Alban Institute continues to provide help of all kinds for rethinking congregational life and mission. A free online guide to resources can be found online at Congregational Resource Guide. (external link) Weekly conversations for building up congregations and their leaders are available for subscription at weekly@alban.org Books available for loan.

God, Throw Fire on Us

God, kindle your weary church again, so that we will burn with your message. When others come to put out the flame of your love, we want to be burning so fiercely that all their water won’t have any effect.

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Rethinking Mission & Church Structure

Among the many privileges of the work I do is the opportunity to explore resources from a wide spectrum of writers, producers, and publishers. To this rich mix, add the bonus of regular conversations with colleagues, pastors, and teachers whose passion for learning and teaching is contagious. The result continues to be an almost insatiable appetite on my part for reading and learning, hearing and viewing books and tapes, lectures and presentations, travel related to study, and opportunities of all kinds for continuing education.

You will find here a “working list” of some resources which continue to be life-giving and faith-stretching! These people, themes and metaphors, films and books celebrate paradox, mystery, ambiguity. Even more than providing a new lens through which to experience God’s presence, the resources described here are well-springs of grace and truth that continue to nourish and sustain. These extraordinary people and their enduring gifts of interpretation can help us experience the mystery of God’s love and the wonder of being
human.

The Resource Center functions as a center for learning, a crossroad for sharing best resources and best practices. It’s a deep well! I hope you will “dig deeply” so that this center helps serve as a creative source for your life and ministry.

Julie K. Aageson
Director, The Resource Center
Coordinator, ELCA Resource Centers

Themes and Metaphors

• grace and gratitude
• the book and the meal
• God as indiscriminate host
• emerging church
• learning to be “we”
• Body of Christ
• God resting on our eyelids
• the book and the bath
• worship as rehearsal for bearing
• God’s work, our hands
• faith practices the reign of God to the world
• liturgy and learning
• tree of life
• bread of life
• original blessing

Liturgy and Learning

Go to Lifelong Faith (external link) for the very best resources for Christian education and lifelong faith formation. We subscribe to The Lifelong Faith Journal (external link), available for loan.

Liturgy and Learning Through the Life Cycle by Westerhoff and Willimon
In this classic study linking liturgy and learning, the authors provide a framework for parish life that celebrates the essential acts of the church as nourishing and enduring anchors of faith.

The Religious Potential of the Child by Sophia Cavalletti
This groundbreaking approach to faith formation is based on encounter with the mystery of God in liturgy, scripture, and life and is as important for adults as for children.

To Dance with God by Gertrud Mueller Nelson
Rhythms and rituals of Christian life are described in this beautiful celebration of Christian life as it is shaped by the seasons of the church year.

Holy Things and Holy People by Gordon Lathrop
Both books are a feast of riches about the power of the liturgy to renew and transform the church.

Worship Matters Series
Each of these little booklets from Augsburg Fortress provides rich insights into all aspects of worship.

Emerging Church

The Practicing Congregation: Imagining a New Old Church and Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith both by Diana Butler Bass
Both books offer compelling descriptions of vital congregational life and new birth among Christians. See also www.dianabutlerbass.com (external link)

A New Kind of Christian and Finding Our Way Again (and others) by Brian McLaren
A voice to be reckoned with as the church continues to wrestle with ongoing reformation. See also www.brianmclaren.net (external link)

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell
An edgy, insightfully honest look about what it means to be Christian. See also www.robbell.com (external link)

Reflections on Faith

Turn My Heart: A Sacred Journey from Brokenness to Healing by Briehl and Haugen
This collection of music, poetry and texts is for all of us who at one time or another are broken and longing for healing and hope.

Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion by Sara Miles
“A love song to the feast at the altar and the feast of a food pantry…” A truly stunning story of Christian conversion. See also www.stgregorys.org (external link)

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith by Barbara Brown Taylor
There are not two worlds–secular and sacred–God is present everywhere. God’s kingdom is here and now. See also www.barbarabrowntaylor.com (external link)

Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
A raw and compelling confession of faith that graphically illustrates the light of Christ and its persistent ability to penetrate darkness.

Radical Amazement: Contemplative Lessons by Judy Cannato
Pay attention to the universe we’re part of–it speaks of God at every turn.

Under the Tree of Life-the Religion of a Feminist Christian by Gail Ramshaw
This lovely confession echoes much of my own faith journey and struggle. Ramshaw’s elegant use of language and her scholarly yet common insights about corporate Christian life are profound and truthful.

Sacrament of Life, A Life of the Sacraments by Leonardo Boff
Taking ordinary elements of daily life–a journey, a mug, his father’s cigarette butt, water–Boff illustrates God’s presence in this beautiful little study of sacramentality.

Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Joan Chittister
Following the Rule of St. Benedict, Chittister clearly describes the richness of daily life when guided by attention to St. Benedict’s common sense reverence for God, self, and others.

Original Blessing by Matthew Fox
Fox’s daring view of historical Christianity and his theologically sound basis for celebrating the goodness of God’s creation is life-giving and grace-filled.

A Metaphorical God by Gail Ramshaw
A feast of images for God!

I Asked for Wonder-A Spiritual Anthology-Abraham Joshua Heschel ed. by Samuel Dresner
I first read Heschel thirty years ago. This collection of his most vivid observations about God’s presence and our meager interpretations is a jewel.

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer
Compassionate and compelling meditation about vocation and call

Stories of Faith by John Shea
Shea the storyteller has an uncanny gift for cracking open scripture to unleash the transforming power of the biblical stories.

The Preaching Life by Barbara Brown Taylor
“You will find an altar in nearly every paragraph of this book …she works with God’s word, God’s people, God’s gifts, God’s hope for the world.”

Listening for God–Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith I & II
This uncommon collection of short stories by some uncommon writers addresses the convergence of faith and life in memorable and graphic storytelling.

In Search of Belief by Joan Chittister
A challenging and profoundly thoughtful confession of faith. See also www.benetvision.org (external link)

Rapture Exposed by Barbara Rossing
An important contribution to conversations about end times and the book of Revelation

Treasures Old and New: Images in the Lectionary by Gail Ramshaw
A collection of 40 images most used in the lectionary texts

Video / DVD / Film

The Nooma Films – this series of 10-12 minute films by Rob Bell uses the experiences of life to teach forgiveness, discipleship, unconditional love and more

Celebrate What’s Right with the World – photography and dialogue about beauty and how we look at the world

Differences – a short film that makes provocative comments about difference

The Rapture Racket – informed and thoughtful presentation about the book of Revelation

Babette’s Feast – Isak Dinesen’s tale of Babette and the meal she prepares for a pious congregation isolated on the coast of Denmark

The Gods Aren’t Angry – Rob Bell’s discussion of our struggle to define God and the origins of religion

Everyday Creativity – inspiring ways for fostering creativity and seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary

Making the Connections: Worship and Evangelism – Gordon Lathrop and Walter Kallestad discuss the relatedness of worship and outreach

Sacred Stories – three storytellers, Maya Angelou, Frederick Buechner, and James Carroll, reveal the power of faith and the presence of God in the stories of their lives.

The Rabbi’s Gift - an unforgettable allegory about a community’s longing for Christ’s presence

Elie Wiesel’s Greatest Figures of the Bible – beautiful “tellings” of the big stories, based in part on Wiesel’s Messengers of God and Biblical Portraits and Legends

Everything is Spiritual – for Jesus and his tradition, all of life is spiritual

The Overwhelming Love of God – a passionate and persuasive confession of God’s grace and love by Brennan Manning

How Do We Help? The Goal of Christian Ministry – insightful observations about the purpose of Christian life and ministry

A Second Chance – a short film about grace and forgiveness

CD’s

Turn My Heart: A Sacred Journey from Brokenness to Healing by Susan Briehl and Marty Haugen

Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell

Our Search for the Living God by Elizabeth Johnson

In God’s Eyes, We’re All Minorities by Krister Stendahl

A Christian Theology of Religious Pluralism by Krister Stendahl

The Gods Aren’t Angry by Rob Bell

The Rise and Fall of Christendom by Douglas John Hall

A New Vision of the Parish by William Willimon

Bread from Heaven by Richard Hays

How Shall We Worship by John Westerhoff

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Nourished and Sustained: Celebrating Faith and Life

Our new electronic resource, Open for Exploration, provides a monthly reminder about current resources. It’s downloadable and can be used as a bulletin insert or in congregational newsletters. It is also a feature in the synod monthly e-news, eQuip. Download this resource and/or subscribe to the eQuip online.

New Curriculum

Fed and Forgiven is a set of print and DVD resources introducing children and adults to the sacrament of holy communion. DVD segments explore the many meanings of the Eucharist in ways that are appropriate for each age level. A feast for all ages! (K168) (DVD279)

SPARK! Curriculum samples (ages 2-Grade 6) are available for preview. We also have SPARK children’s bibles as well as the new Lutheran Study Bible for loan. If your congregation is still deciding which material to use, go to a free curriculum selection tool (external link) from Augsburg Fortress.

Two new Vacation Bible School kits are available for preview. BaobabBlast from Augsburg Fortress (external link) focuses on God’s creation and the community of faith. ReNew from Spark House (external link) uses the Parable of the Sower to address care of creation and a green environment.

For older youth and adults, the LIQUID series invites participants into the Bible by pointing to specific stories and making them come to life with contemporary examples. Crossing features five stand-alone stories from Joshua. Mirror Image brings five well-known parables to life. (DVD316, 317)

For congregations interested in using the Alpha course as a practical introduction to Christianity, we have the “Just Curious Kit” introducing Alpha as well as the dvd set, The Alpha Course (express version and full length version). (K169) (DVD312, 313)

A ten-session dvd program, Living Faith by Tom Wright, explores the essentials of Christianity. The sessions explore scripture, history, beliefs and practices and how Christianity differs from other religions. (DVD315)

The Missional Church is a twelve-session dvd to help a congregation think more intentionally about its calling. Sessions focus on biblical understandings of the missional church in the Old and New Testaments, a Reformation understanding of mission, confessional and theological perspectives, and strategic models for helping lay leaders think about ministry in daily life. (DVD311)

Another excellent resource for rethinking what it means to be a missional church is The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church. Participants will learn how to recognize six important realities church leaders must face if we are to move beyond “churchianity” to a more authentic and missional Christian faith. This ten-session dvd curriculum includes a leader’s guide, participant guide, and four dvds. (DVD202)

A dvd resource about the history of conflict between religion and homosexuality has been given to the resource center. The documentary, For the Bible Tells Me So provides thoughtful reflection and background and offers clarity, healing, and understanding to anyone struggling with issues of scripture and sexual identity. (DVD 272)

EarthBound: Created and Called to Care for Creation is a cutting edge six-session series that takes Martin Luther’s understanding of justification and vocation and expands it across God’s magnificent creation. It addresses the origins of our misconceptions about scripture’s portrayal of creation and invites viewers to recognize God’s call to us to relate to the whole creation as our vocation. (DVD314)

A PBS special, The Congregation: Questions of Faith in Changing Times is the story of a church struggling with basic questions about being the church in the 21st century. A discussion guide accompanies the DVD. (DVD44)

Nooma films continue to be good discussion starters for all ages. The online catalog includes twenty-four titles including the newest, “Whirlwind” about wanting certainty and answers in a world that is often uncertain. (DVD278)

The ELCA’s Feautor.org (external link) – Check out this excellent open source site for sharing unpublished religious resources. Many resources posted here come from Eastern North Dakota Synod.

We have a large collection of Children’s books for loan. Check them out!

Modern Parables: Living in the Kingdom of God is a DVD-based bible study combining cinema and theology. Short dramatic films explain Jesus’ parables. 12 sessions, 12-20 min. each for older youth, adults. (DVD249)

Down and out: it’s the life God gives us, the life to which God calls us. Down and Out: Where Grace Takes You is a six-part series for adults about rediscovering what Martin Luther made so clear five centuries ago: grace takes us out into God’s world, out of our churches, to co-create with God on behalf of others, for the sake of the world. (DVD204)

LeaderResources (external link) has given us a preview copy of The Many Faces of God: An Interfaith Encounter for Youth and Adults by Denise Yarbrough. For ongoing study of interfaith issues, this provides a very thorough process for learning about other traditions. (PR992)

Logos Productions (external link) is highlighting a recent book by Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity together with two very interesting companion resources:

• Experiencing the Heart of Christianity is a twelve session program for small groups led by Tim Scorer and Borg (accompanying DVD) divided into two main parts: Seeing the Christian Tradition Again and Seeing the Christian Life Again.
• Living the Heart of Christianity–also a companion to Borg’s book–is a guide for putting faith into action.

Exploration of Faith and Emerging Church Resources

Many new resources on the topic of the emerging church are available. See our featured collection on the topic of the emerging church as well as the resource sheet called Being Church in the 21st Century: Themes from the Emerging Church.

Check out the following:

• The Future of Christianity: A Startling New Vision of Hope for the 21st Century (DVD262) Go to www.futureofchristianity.com (external link) to learn more about this conversation
• Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith by Diana Butler Bass (B3419)
• The Gods Aren’t Angry (DVD243) Rob Bell’s latest presentation on the origins of religion
• The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World by Alan Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk (B3453)
• A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren (B3387)

Alban Institute Resources

Alban Institute’s (external link) free online guide to resources for faith communities is available at www.congregationalresources.org – Check it out it’s a treasure! Alban also offers regular webinars (external link) on topics of congregational life. Call the Resource Center for more information. We also subscribe to the Alban Weekly and have most Alban publications available for loan.

Labyrinth

Our portable labyrinth, Circle of Peace Labyrinth continues to be well-used. This twenty-four foot Circle of Peace canvas labyrinth is a seven-circuit Chartres design. It can be used as a spiritual tool, a way of silencing the noise and turmoil in our busy lives, and for centering and meditative or contemplative prayer. Call the Resource Center to reserve! (K147)

If you are interested in using the labyrinth, you may like to borrow a dvd, Rediscovering the Labyrinth: A Walking Meditation which introduces this ancient practice. (DVD100)

Continuing his series of conversations in spiritual theology, Eugene Peterson’s books and study guides provide stimulating grist for discussion:

• Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading (B3280)
• Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology (B3487)
• The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus is the Way (B3388)
• Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus (B3648)

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: New Curriculum and Resources for the Missional Church

The experience of forgiveness is the wedding garment for the banquet of Jesus. Note that it is a wedding garment-the robe of joy and communion, not sack-cloth and ashes-the sign of the sinner.
- John Shea in “The Challenge of Jesus”

Whether we’re speaking about ongoing global conflict, our own human struggles, petty insults or serious acts of evil, all of us know that a central tenet of Christianity is the act of forgiveness. God’s overwhelming grace and love is about restoration and wholeness, helping us and all creation to experience the healing power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Over the last decade and more, the study of forgiveness has captured the attention of researchers, theologians, and others interested in transformation and the power of forgiveness to heal. The following selection of resources captures in different and unique ways the spirit of forgiveness. You will find here the voices of ordinary people of faith, Nobel laureates, authors, and theologians whose experiences of forgiveness are examples for all of us. I hope you will find these resources good fodder for conversation and study!

Forgiveness always goes beyond what is just and due. It is not a matter of justice but an affair of grace.
- Richard Norris in “Understanding the Faith of the Church”

Books:

• Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Kraybill/Nolt/Weaver-Zerc (B3450)
• Don’t Forgive Too Soon: Extending the Two Hands that Heal by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn (B3373)
• No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu (B2648)
• The Power of Forgiveness by Kenneth Briggs (B3528) This is a companion resource based on the film of the same name (see DVD217 below). It examines the mysteries of forgiveness, focusing on personal struggle with betrayal, loss, grief, and confusion.
• Why Forgive? by Johann Christoph Arnold (B3102)
• A Forgiving Heart: Prayers for Blessing and Reconciliation by Lynn Klug (B2792)
• Speaking of Sin: The Lost Language of Salvation by Barbara Brown Taylor (B2743)
• Fire of Grace: The Healing Power of Forgiveness by Richard Rouse (B3123)

The point of the cross isn’t forgiveness. Forgiveness leads to something much bigger: restoration. God isn’t just interested in the covering of our sins; God wants to make us into the people we were originally created to be … This restoration is why Jesus always orients his message around becoming the kind of people who are generous and loving and compassionate. The goal here isn’t simply NOT to sin. Our purpose is to increase the shalom in this world … to become more and more the kind of people God had in mind when were first created.
- Rob Bell in “Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith”

Websites

• Search our online catalog for additional titles under the subjects of forgiveness, reconciliation, and faith practices.
• Local dates and times for broadcast of the one hour documentary can be found at The Power of Forgiveness (external link).
• Augsburg Fortress has a downloadable study guide,The Power of Forgiveness (external link), to the PBS documentary of the same title, that can be used by individuals and groups reading The Power of Forgiveness by Kenneth Briggs.
• Check out “the internet’s most comprehensive forgiveness resource” at www.forgivenessweb.com (external link). It includes a reading room, videos, related websites, and more.
• Watch for the fall premier of The Little Lutheran Online (external link). It will feature resources for children on the topic of forgiveness.
• If you’d like to organize or lead a conversation on the topic of forgiveness, www.loveandforgive.org (external link) provides downloadable materials. Facilitator guides include background materials, essays, discussion questions, and activities. Participant resources include essays, suggested home practices and other ideas for continuing conversation, reflection, and action.

The spirit of forgiveness could change our world for the better.
-Thomas Moore in Care of the Soul

Video / DVD

• Voted the “Best Documentary” at the 2007 Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival (external link), The Power of Forgiveness features Nobel Laureate, Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, and others who share wisdom about the act of forgiveness, particularly in the face of great evil. From conflicts in Northern Ireland to Ground Zero to the Amish countryside, this DVD reveals how forgiveness transforms lives. (DVD217)
• The Power of Forgiveness presents four studies that open our minds and hearts to a new understanding of forgiveness so we can embrace forgiveness as key to a wholesome and free life. Four 10-minute programs: The Origin of Forgiveness, What is Forgiveness?, Why Do We Need to Forgive?, How is Forgiveness Possible? (DVD47)
• We recommend a classic study of the many faces of forgiveness in Walter Wink’s Whole and Forgiven, a video study of six biblical texts about Jesus and healing. The format engages groups using centering prayer, guided imagery and role playing. Stories include The Man Let Down from the Roof, The Woman with a Hemorrhage, Blind Bartimaeus, the Bent-Over Woman and more. (DVD157=) (VT1007=)
• The Nooma films by Rob Bell exude themes of grace and forgiveness. Highly recommended for all ages, appropriate titles include Luggage (DVD115), Rhythm (DVD119), and Lump (DVD118).
• For a poignant picture of the spirit of forgiveness in war-torn Northern Uganda, the ELCA’s Mosaic: Ready to Forgive-An African Story of Grace captures the story of the Acholi people who are united in the belief that reconciliation and forgiveness are the only real solutions to their suffering and victimization. (DVD171)
• Bridge to Forgiveness from the Bible Study Series for Youth depicts the story of biblical brothers, Jacob and Esau to help young people reflect on their experiences of hurt, anger, and forgiveness. (DVD80)
• Bill Moyer’s film about South Africa’s struggle to end apartheid is a compelling account of the role of forgiveness. Facing the Truth with Bill Moyers traces South Africa’s oppressive past including questions of recrimination, punishment, and forgiveness. It describes the efforts of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) (external link) to investigate human rights violations and help South Africa in its process of reinvention. Moyers speaks with TRC architect, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and with apartheid victims to hear their stories firsthand. (VT2380)
• Lewis Smedes’ books and videos about forgiveness are classics. We recommend “The Art of Forgiving” from Spiritual Homepage. (VT1745)

Don’t set limits to the mercy of God. Don’t imagine that because you are not pleasing to yourself you’re not pleasing to God.
- Thomas Merton in The Wisdom of the Desert

Articles / Printed Resources

• Looking at Life Piece by Piece by Kristen Kemper features a segment on forgiveness for youth and adults. (PR766)
• An issue titled Forgiving from The Living Pulpit highlights texts, articles, books, ideas for preaching, and more. (PR File) Among the articles is a classic about the work of Julian of Norwich, “Julian of Norwich and the Theology of Forgiveness.”

… whoever is resolved in prayer to forgive, and rises from praying without forgiving at all, this person does not think much of prayer. Indeed, the true test of our prayer is whether we do the will of God, including the spirit of forgiveness.
- St. Teresa of Avila in Way of Perfection

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: The Spirit of Forgiveness

Encountering God in Scripture: Finding Yourself in the Story of God includes ten 5-minute sessions on “the big questions about the Bible.” Five short bible studies and a study guide are also included. (DVD201)

Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study is just out. This little primer is a basic introduction to bible study by Diane Jacobson, Mark Allan Powell, and Stanley Olson. Four sample studies are included.

A set of CDs by John Shea focusing on the gospels, Gospel Food for Hungry Christians: Images and Reflections from the Gospels by John Shea provides stimulating insights into Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. (CDs 37, 38, 39, 40)

Additional resources for the Book of Faith can be found in “Biblical Resources for Congregational Life,” a collection from the resource center.

New from Rob Bell

If you’ve not had a chance to view the Nooma films by Rob Bell, you might like to take a look at the latest on prayer: Nooma: Open (DVD214). These short (10-12 minutes) films address questions of faith and life in deeply meaningful ways. We also have a longer presentation by Bell called Everything is Spiritual (DVD216). Additional titles and descriptions can be found in the online catalog.

Book Recommendations

The following titles are “must-reads!”

• Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion by Sara Miles (B3432)
• Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
• Here if You Need Me by Kate Braestrup (B3409)
• Mission Trips that Matter: Embodied Faith for the Sake of the World by Don Richter (B3491)

Exploration of Faith and Emerging Church Resources

Many new resources on the topic of the emerging church are available. See the collection posted at under Recommended Resources called “Being Church in the 21st Century: Themes from the Emerging Church.”

The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church is a ten session DVD curriculum by Reggie McNeal. It’s meant to help participants recognize six important realities church leaders must face if they are to move beyond “churchianity” to a more authentic, missional faith. (Leader and participant guide) (DVD202)

Logos Productions is highlighting a recent book by Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity together with two very interesting companion resources:

• Experiencing the Heart of Christianity is a twelve session program for small groups led by Tim Scorer and Borg (accompanying DVD) divided into two main parts: Seeing the Christian Tradition Again and Seeing the Christian Life Again. (B3435)
• Living the Heart of Christianity-also a companion to Borg’s book-is a guide for putting faith into action. (B3434)

Tom Wright, whose New Testament work continues to enrich Christian life and study, has recently produced Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. He offers a fresh presentation of the timeless truths of Christianity making the case that faith is reasonable and rewarding for us today. In this ten session course, Wright expands on the themes of his acclaimed book “Simply Christian” in video-based lessons. (DVD186)

LeaderResources has given us a preview copy of The Many Faces of God: An Interfaith Encounter for Youth and Adults by Denise Yarbrough. For ongoing study of interfaith issues, this provides a very thorough process for learning about other traditions. More information available at www.leaderresources.org (external link).

Additional new resources on emerging church topics include:

• “Faith in Action: A Campaign Kit” for helping congregations think about church outside the church walls (K161)
• A book, Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diana Butler Bass (B3419)
• A four session small group study on DVD may be helpful for thinking about faith practices. Based on the means of grace, Opening Ourselves to Grace: Basic Christian Practices explores basic practices through a four part video presentation, a six-week bible study, a discussion guide for group leaders, and additional resources

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

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Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Exploring Scripture, Faith, and Emerging Church