Eastern North Dakota Synod

» Download: New Resources for Fall (download pdf file)

Curriculum for Fall

A free curriculum selection tool (external link) is available from Augsburg Fortress. We also have preview samples of SPARK (external link), faith formation curriculum for ages 2-Grade 6.

ELCA’s Feautor.org (external link) – Check out this excellent open source site for sharing unpublished religious resources.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.

Exploration of Faith and Emerging Church Resources

Many new resources on the topic of the emerging church are available:

• 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)

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 (B3167) together with two very interesting companion resources:

• Experiencing the Heart of Christianity (B3435) 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 (B3434) – also a companion to Borg’s book–is a guide for putting faith into action.

Book of Faith Resources

• Three new bible study series have been added to Book of Faith offerings:
  • Books of Faith studies include Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, John, Romans, Galatians, and I John and each is accompanied by a DVD for leader preparation.
  • People of Faith studies include A Gardener, Two Travelers, and a Cheat (Adam, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob); A Lamenter, A Dreamer and Two Pretty Good Leaders (Rachel, Joseph, Moses, Joshua); A Grandmother to a King, A King-Maker, A King and a Royal Pain (Ruth, Samuel, David, Elijah); and A Prostitute, Two Prophets and Poor ‘Ol Job (Gomer, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Job).
  • Together in Faith includes three lectionary studies: God’s Will for Life (Mark); God’s Extraordinary Church (Ephesians); God’s Standard or Gold Standard? (Proverbs).
• David Lose’s new book, Making Sense of Scripture: Big Questions about the Book of Faith is an introductory course focusing on seven questions for people new to bible study.
• Foundational courses include Opening the Book of Faith introducing four methods of bible study; Rediscovering the Book of Faith, a three-session overview for beginners; the new Lutheran Study Bible; and SPARK bibles and curriculum for faith formation.
• DVDs for leader preparation are also available for preview.

Alban Institute Resources

Alban’s free online guide to resources (external link) for faith communities is available. 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 (external link) and have most Alban publications available for loan.

Labyrinth

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. Call the Resource Center to reserve!

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.