Christian Life and Growth
Resources
 
Some of these resources are available free through downloading.
Others need to be ordered from the Maritime Conference Office:
Maritime Conference Office
21 Wright Street
Sackville, NB E4L 4P8
PLEASE NOTE: Payment MUST accompany order.
Please make cheques payable to "Maritime Conference Fund".

> > > 45th Anniversary United Church Women

Are you celebrating the 45th Anniversary of the United Church Women (UCW) in your Congregation or Presbytery? Here's a resource that was developed by the UCW of Wilmot United Church, Fredericton, NB for the Spring Rally of Woolastook Presbytery. It is a 45th Anniversary/Memorial Celebration.
This is a pdf file that can be downloaded and printed and used as printed or adapted to your own locale.

> > > Talking about Church Buildings? Resource Available!
Graphic - CD cover - click for larger image
Do you need to have a faithful conversation about the viability of church buildings? Here is a resource that provides opportunity to raise the issues and have a “holy conversation” about the link between mission and buildings.
Are you in the midst of dealing with closure? Here is a resource that invites pastoral opportunities for those dealing with a deep spirituality of church buildings to move through "the roller coaster of change.”
The Christian Life & Growth Committee is pleased to announce the availability of a new resource entitled “The Spirituality of Church Buildings.” Compiled on CD are ten resources which can be printed and used to nurture conversations about the meaning of our church buildings.

Included on the CD are files for a four week Small Group Study called "Bricks, Mortar, Doors and Windows", a delightful dinner theatre script called the "Bubble Gum Plot" and an Intergenerational Event entitled "Sacred Space Missions".
Other resources include a PowerPoint Presentation and process for an evening discussion based on the Foundations Paper, "These Walls will Echo Praise" (included) and a theological paper and drama for use in worship or for reflection on "Sacred Space through the Ages". There are other resources too!

The project seeks to

  • raise awareness of the history and significance of church buildings in the lives and faith of some people;
  • provide resources to initiate conversations about the meaning of church buildings especially in a time of change.
When considering strategies for addressing change in congregations, Maritime Conference staff heard the need to look at the meaning of our buildings. A questionnaire was developed and distributed through the Executive to people who had a feeling of “attachment” for their church building. There was an overwhelming response from across the conference. The results led to the foundations paper, These Walls Will Echo Praise. Using the insights gleaned from the research, two working groups produced a diversity of resources designed to foster conversations about the meaning of our church buildings. The Maritime Conference Christian Life & Growth Committee is pleased to make them available on this CD.
The resources will be most useful to congregations who seek to have faithful conversations about the viability of maintaining church buildings. The resources provide opportunity to raise the issue before a decision needs to be made and allow opportunity for faithful conversations. Pastoral Charges in the midst of such conversations will also find the information helpful. Vital congregations in out-sized buildings will also find some of the resources valuable in considering the link between mission and buildings.

Included on the CD:

  1. Foundations Paper: These walls Will Echo Praise
  2. The Spirituality of Church Buildings (Script and PowerPoint Presentation)
  3. Small Group Study: Bricks, Mortar, Doors and Windows
  4. Drama: Sacred Space Throughout The Ages
  5. Dessert Theatre Script: Bubble Gum Plot
  6. Bubble Gum Plot: An Evening Discussion and Dessert Gathering
  7. An Intergenerational Event: Sacred Space Mission
  8. The Hundred Acre Woods ~ No Longer Viable!
  9. The Heritage Quilt
  10. Theological paper: Church Buildings as Sacred Space and a Means of Grace
Graphic - CD Cover
 
Edited by Janice MacLean, the CD gathers the effort of a working group in Truro and PEI. Writers include Shirley Cleave, Bev Brazier, Jay Ettinger, Jane Doull, Lloyd Burrows, Nathan Mair, Karen MacLeod-Wilkie, Nancy Wilson and Beth Brehaut and others!
The CD is available at the Conference Office for $15 or through the mail for $20 (includes shipping and handling).
Please include payment (cheques payable to Maritime Conference Fund) with your order!
Our address is:
Maritime Conference Office
21 Wright Street
Sackville NB E4L 4P8
For more information you can call (506)536-1334 and ask for Janice MacLean or e-mail Janice at jmaclean@marconf.ca
 

> > > These Walls Will Echo Praise:
                A Spirituality of Church Buildings

"Ask people where they feel closest to God and many will respond by citing the beach, a favourite place in the woods or being in the garden. There is a spirituality of place."   (from the introduction)

Part I: Reflections on What Is Cherished about Church Buildings

  • Historical Echo
  • Significant Landmark
  • Cherished Architecture
  • Comfortable Atmosphere
  • Blest Fellowship
  • Community Role

Part II: Reflections on Pondering the Affects of Closing a Church Building

  • Sense of Letting Down the Ancestors
  • Has God Forgotten Us?
  • A Hole, an Emptiness, and End to a Way of Life
  • Faith is Portable. . . But. . .

Part III: Shaping Conversations about Our Church Buildings

  • Tend to the Sense of Responsibility
  • Root our Experience in a Theology of Faithfulness
  • Listen to the Meaning/Stories
  • Honour the Legacy and Tell the Children
We would like to hear your stories and suggestions about your "feeling" for your church buildings, in response to the many reflections shared in this document.
You can download the complete document in either pdf format (Adobe Reader) or doc format (Microsoft Word) and print it as necessary.
If you do not already have Adobe Reader installed on your computer, you can download it FREE from the Adobe web site.
 

> > > Booklet on Publishing Newsletters

The Computer Use and Education Unit
of the Maritime Conference
Christian Life and Growth Committee
published (in 2005) a booklet on
Publishing Newsletters
for congregations and/or groups.
It was prepared in two parts:
1. A beginner's guide to creating/publishing effective, attractive newsletters
2. A beginner's guide to writing effective, attractive newsletters

The booklet is available for use in PDF format (80 KB)

 

> > > The Story of the Three Worlds **

The Story of the Three Worlds **
is a four-page
"pictures and story" resource
for talking with children
about
Death and Dying
including a picture to colour

** Please note the warning that this story MAY be hurtful when used with children who are adopted - particularly children of international adoptions.

Available now from Maritime Conference Office
Click for more information about ordering and costs.

 
 

> > > Readying Our Hearts: Now available FREE (see below)
            A Spiritual Discernment Workbook

This four week workbook introduces individuals to the language and practices of spiritual discernment. The Resource offers a variety of ways to pray the scripture, reflection questions and suggestions on how to carry the practice throughout the day.
Suggestions are offered for Group Use
“By offering a resource that focuses on individual practice, we hope spiritual discernment becomes a way of life in small groups, Boards/Councils and wherever shared decision-making happens!"
- From the Introduction.
NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOADING FREE OF CHARGE!
All of these are pdf files.
Sizes of files are listed in brackets.
Title Page (110 KB)
Inside Cover (38 KB)
Introduction (503 KB)
Chapter 1 (181 KB)
Chapter 2 (185 KB
Chapter 3 (190 KB)
Chapter 4 (193 KB)
 

> > > Circle of Faith Video

Circle of Faith...A Storycircle Video
Professionally produced
in the Maritime Conference
with funding from the
United Church of Canada Vision fund
AVEL
and Maritime Conference
Christian Life & Growth Committee
Six storytellers from the Conference share their reflections on the question: The church of today is changing before our very eyes and you are faced with at least two decisions . . .
  • What would be important for you to keep?
  • What would you leave behind?
Story Circles are a way to create conversation between young adults, adults and seniors.
For use in confirmation classes, inter-generational gatherings, and wherever deeper understanding between the generations is desired!
AVAILABLE FROM MARITIME CONFERENCE AVEL
 

> > > Spiritual Connections Toolbox

RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR FREE: SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS
The Maritime Conference Christian Life and Growth Committee is pleased to offer "Spiritual Connections: A Toolbox for Committees and Groups: A Resource to Nurture Congregational Spirituality" for sale.
This resource offers brief readings, reflection questions, prayers and hymn suggestions suitable as openings for Board meetings, or other church groups. It is also useful as an individual study or as the basis for a Study group. Papers are written by members of the Enrichment through Leadership Unit and also includes an article on Stewardship authored by our Past Moderator, the Very Rev. Dr. Peter Short.
Free when ordering other resources from the Maritime Conference Office!
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