Dr. Terry Fretheim recently presented some of his Old Testament work at this synod’s Seminary on the Prairie. We have many of his books including the most recent on creation, God and the World in the Old Testament (B3297). For related resources, you may like to look at Fretheim Explores Genesis (VT2154), a nine-session video series that includes a study guide.
MOSAIC programs (dvd and video) are excellent resources for adult study. Recent titles include Introducing the Old Testament (DVD98) and Introducing Jesus of Nazareth (DVD99). Understanding the Roman Catholic Church (DVD104) is also available.
Barbara Rossing’s The Rapture Racket (DVD105) helps learners unpack many issues in the Book of Revelation. Rossing’s book, The Rapture Exposed: the Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation (B2931) can be used as a foundation for this dvd and many other resources on end times and the Book of Revelation.
Many of you have enjoyed resources by Philip Yancey and now we have his new book, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? (B3282) You also might like a set of Yancey resources called What’s So Amazing About Grace (VT2228) which includes video segments, a book of the same title, and a study guide.
We subscribe to the Alban Institute and receive copies of their books. An interesting recent addition is A Generous Presence: Spiritual Leadership and the Art of Coaching (B3285) by Rochelle Melander. It introduces readers to “spiritual coaching” in the context of theological reflection.
Our portable labyrinth, Circle of Peace Labyrinth (K147) 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, for centering and meditative or contemplative prayer. The slow, rhythmic walking of the labyrinth eases the mind and acts as a full-body prayer. The walk will affect each person differently and may affect one person differently each time it is done. The labyrinth is a kind of metaphor for life. As a metaphor for our spiritual journey, we find ourselves sometimes nearer to the center (God) and at other times far away. However, even while seemingly distant, by remaining faithful in our journey-staying on the path, we are brought closer to the Divine.
The labyrinth is portable and may be borrowed. Additional reproducible resources include:
- How to Walk a Labyrinth
- Labyrinth Ideas/Suggestions
- Paper labyrinth for finger meditation
- Guidelines for Using the Labyrinth Small Stations of the Cross Booklet (4″ x 5.5″ format)
- Caring for the Labyrinth
- Folding the Labyrinth
- Gray crate for storage
If you are interested in using the labyrinth, you may like to borrow a dvd, Rediscovering the Labyrinth: A Walking Meditation (DVD100) which introduces this ancient practice.
The ELCA’s ongoing study of human sexuality includes a new resource, Free in Christ to Serve the Neighbor: Lutherans Talk about Human Sexuality. It’s an eight session study grounded both in scripture and in the Lutheran tradition. Responses to the study will help shape the social statement on sexuality that comes before the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Copies are available.
Two new additions to a video-based bible study for women include the following:
- Finding Balance (K156), a six-week study considering the balance between service and worship, duty and devotion, doing and being
- Knowing God (K155), also six-weeks about applying biblical truths to everyday life
- Unfailing Love (K158), a six-week study of the life of Jesus