Resources
The September Resource Center Subscription (RCS) standing order includes all of the Winter materials from Congregational Ministries Publishing (CMP), including a list with annotation and ordering information. For more detailed information about all of CMP materials, visit the We Believe and The Present Word Web sites. A brief description of the current resources is included here for use in cataloging and categorizing in your center or library.
Wee Believe is the four-quarter early childhood curriculum for toddlers (18—36 months) and preschoolers (3 to 5 years). It is written and designed to nurture the development of faith through age-appropriate Bible stories. Recognizing that young children learn through repetition, most Bible stories are explored over two sessions. Wee Believe Toddler and Preschool follow the same scope and sequence.
We Believe for Younger and Older Elementary
Engaging in biblical stories shared in a variety of ways, children learn through the stimulation of their imagination and class participation. This quarterly curriculum includes easy-to-use lesson plans with a “Heart of the Lesson” feature, strong connection to Reformed theology and activities keyed to multiple intelligences learning styles.
FAQ: Faithfully Asking Questions
This new quarterly curriculum for fall, winter and spring connects faith questions collected from Presbyterian youth with questions from The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version. Young people will bring their questions to the Bible and learn to navigate Scripture as they address issues of life and faith. The 13-session Leader’s Guide includes engaging reproducible sheets, background information and multiple teaching options. Intended for younger youth, this curriculum will be easily adaptable for broadly graded youth programs.
Faith Questions
Patterned around the marks of membership from the Book of Order, these mini-courses are based on faith questions posed by older youth. Young people will be encouraged to look to Scripture and to our faith tradition in relevant, responsive ways. Each Leader’s Guide contains a four- or six-week exploration of a faith question. Intended for older youth, this curriculum is easily adaptable for broadly graded youth programs. The three courses for winter are:
Being Presbyterian
This youth mini-course explores what it means to be Presbyterian by connecting the question with the Bible and the creeds and confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Bible
This four-session mini-course explores the question, "What's the Bible?" by connecting the question with the Bible and the creeds and confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Jesus Christ
This four-session mini-course explores the question, "Who Is Jesus?" by connecting the question with the Bible and the creeds and confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Present Word
The Present Word for adult education or small groups seeks to facilitate mastery of Bible content, understanding of the Bible in relation to life experiences and a greater awareness of God’s self-disclosure, especially God’s redeeming love as revealed in Jesus Christ.
All materials from CMP can be ordered through Presbyterian Distribution Services by calling (800) 524-2612 or online through Presbyterian Marketplace.
The Office of the General Assembly offers a Heritage Microfilm Grant and extends the invitation to the Spring 2010 history seminar for developing local church history projects. Learn more.
Stewardship Giving Magazine
This annual stewardship magazine produced by the Ecumenical Stewardship Center has helpful articles, worship resources, planning guides and information on ordering additional 2009 Stewardship Theme Material. This is a free resource; ask for PDS item #1211209910.
Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers: A Handbook, Joan Gray, Geneva Press, 2009.
This timely new leadership guide for the PC(USA) is written for church officers who are looking for a deepened relationship with God as they serve the church. Author Joan Gray challenges elders and deacons to see themselves as spiritual leaders and equips them to act as spiritual leaders alongside their pastors. This book is available through Marketplace as PDS item #9780664503055 for $19.95.
Joining Hands Against Hunger, Journey Poster
This free item, PDS #7436506337, is a new colorful representation of the Joining Hands initiative that is all inclusive, lively and conveys the message of "globalizing solidarity against poverty and hunger around the world."
Comparative Statistics 2008
Got questions about the PC(USA)? We’ve got answers! Comparative Statistics for 2008, PDS item #02056-08032, is now available. Learn how many of our congregations have fewer than 50 members, which state has the most Presbyterians, what percentage of our ministers are women, how financial giving is changing, and more. The publication includes 15 tables plus an introductory article by Jack Marcum on how the denomination has changed in the 25 years since the merger of the United Presbyterian Church in U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church in the United States. Congregations interested in seeing how they compare to other PC(USA) congregation will find this resource helpful.
August 2006 Panel Report: The Bible 
Find out how Presbyterians really use their Bibles! Find out which version is the most preferred, and what percentage of respondents attends a Bible study group. This survey, PDS item #02056-07297, compares statistics from a 1995 survey and examines changes in Bible reading of ministers, elders, and members over a 10-year period.
May 2005 Panel Report: Funding Christ’s Mission Through the PC(USA)
Find out what Presbyterians think about the mission of the PC(USA), how they decide where to give, and their opinion on special fund-raising campaigns. This report summarizes findings from a Presbyterian Panel survey of Presbyterian members, elders and ministers. All those involved in fund-raising either on a congregational level or for a specific purpose will find this report of particular interest.
Theological Education Resources
This flier features several new Theological Education materials including a joint view book, a bulletin insert, an offering envelope and a postcard featuring a collage picture of our seminaries.
COTE Joint Seminary Viewbook
Each of our seminaries is a unique gift offered to the church for you and all. Enjoy getting to know them for the first time or again in their ever reframed and reforming character. Order PDS item #21160-09-001.
Call to Worship, Year C, Vol. 43.1: Liturgy, Music, Preaching, and the Arts offers insight and inspiration for pastors, church musicians, artists and other worship leaders. This quarterly journal is published by the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Four print issues per year explore current topics in liturgical theology and practice, such as John Calvin (August 2009); Healing (November 2009); Living the Christian Year (February 2010); and Hymnody (May 2010). Each issue includes original artwork as well as full-color features on liturgical arts. Order PDS item #2116209005 for $34.95.
Call to Worship Lectionary Aids
The new and improved electronic Lectionary Aids service, available online to Call to Worship subscribers, provides worship planning materials for the church year. For every Sunday and festival in the liturgical calendar, you’ll find calls to worship and prayers of confession, along with suggestions for hymns, psalms, global music, praise and worship songs, choral anthems, organ selections and hand bell music. Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, suggestions related to both complementary and semi-continuous readings are included. You'll also find new prayers for illumination and Eucharistic prayers for particular seasons of the Christian year, as well as resources for leading parts of worship from the font and table. |
