Christian
Formation
Diocese of Eastern Michigan
Ministries Resource Center Directory
(A Lending Library)
Subject: Christian Formation
Topic: Youth Education (Jr and
Sr High)
Curriculum
Resources for Middle School/Jr High
The following items are
located at the Diocesan Center, Saginaw:
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Ministries Resource Center Home Congregational/ Leadership Development Stewardship/Mission and Outreach An
Introduction to Godly Play Theory Curriculum:
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Episcopal Curriculum for Youth - Center for Ministry for Teaching, VTS;
No cost See: http://www.vts.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=122315&rc=1 A series of 12
modules: the younger youth curriculum focuses on people, themes, and church
"basics". Each module has 9 lessons and have available a leader's
guide, poster pack, and student leaflet. Available for preview: "Sacraments of the Church", with
poster pack; "Witnesses in the World" Journey to Adulthood - Leader Resources; Washington DC A 4 year program,
broken into 2 parts: Rite 13 and J2A; both sections focus on Self, Society,
Sexuality, and Spirituality of students; Rite 13 starts at about 11 years (or
6th grade); J2A covers the second 2 years; the four year program
acts as a "rite of passage" and culminates in the possibility of
Confirmation following a pilgrimage at the end of J2A. It is a combined
education and "youth group" resource; the diocese owns a license
and it is available to all congregations; currently the curriculum is on-line
so users can download what is needed. There are coordinators in each
Convocation to assist with this program. Contacts: Blue Water, Christy Allen, Grace, Port Huron; Flint River, Kris Forsyth, St Christopher’s, Grand Blanc; Northern, Rev David Vickers, Transfiguration, Indian River; Saginaw Valley, Marnie Bash, St John’s, Midland or http://www.leaderresources.com/ LWW Discovery Guide – Bethel Lutheran Church/Augsburg
Fortress, Minneapolis MN; 2005 [Located in El Ed Curriculum] This is a study
guide for use with The Lion, the Witch,
and the Wardrobe by older elementary and middle school students. There is
one “lesson” to go with each chapter of the book which includes “dig deeper”,
“road map”, “vocab” and “fun fact” as well as a page for the student to
journal on a specific question; the “dig deeper” section includes scripture
references. Mustard Seed Sample, Grades 7-9 – LeaderResources, Washington DC [Located in El Ed Curriculum] Sample lesson plans for students in each grade of Middle School Annually renewed curriculum-samples on
file (located in 3 ring binders): Clear Curriculum – Randall House Publications, Nashville TN This resource is designed to have the entire family studying the same
Scriptural materials from infants and toddlers through adulthood; it is
closely age graded. The teacher guides include a brief reflection for the
teacher and very detailed instructions for teaching each class. Patterns and
other resources are included in a separate teacher pack. Also included is an
activity book for the students. This curriculum resource has available all
the “bells and whistles” and so can be a bit expensive. Living the
Good News – Living the Good
News/Morehouse Publishing Harrisburg PA (updated annually) An Episcopal
Lectionary based curriculum; seasonal leader’s guide includes lessons with
background information and meditations on the weekly readings, the story to
tell, activities, and closing prayer. Easy to use. Age graded: Junior High Seasons of the Spirit - Logos Publications, Inver Grove Heights MN
(updated annually) Based on the
Revised Common Lectionary, seasonal guides offer teachers background
information on scripture, stories and activities for class, worship and
outreach opportunities, includes beautiful art work as well as musical
suggestions for class; Closely graded: 12-14 years, 15-18 years; Available
for review: Fall 02 (Late Pentecost) For more
information: www.spiritseasons.com Witness – Augsburg Fortress A closely-graded
curriculum for students from 2 years through 8th grade. It is
based on Bible stories, about 1/3 from the Old Testament and the rest from
the New. Works in a 2 year cycle. See also: Adult Curriculum – Bible Studies The Bible and Devotional Life - by Steve Clapp, Wesley Kolbe Publishing 42 daily studies for youth with reflection questions for each day;
also includes weekly class lessons. Sacraments/Bible/Prayer – About the Bible The Bible Alive
- Stanley Birnbaum, Winston Press; San
Francisco CA A variety of creative ways to get students
into the Bible |
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Curriculum Resources for Senior High
The
following items are located at the Diocesan Center, Saginaw: God Doesn't Make Junk - Robert G.
Davidson, Educational Ministries Youth Retreat on learning more about ourselves and relating to others;
5 sessions Connecting Your Heart to
Others’ – Doug Fields and
Brett Eastman, Youth Specialties; 2003 A 6 session study for small groups of youth to discuss fellowship and
being friends w/one another; includes the group study, worship, and
suggestions for readings to do during the week between meetings. New: My Faith, My Life – Jenifer Gamber, Morehouse Publishing,
Harrisburg PA, 2006 This is an excellent introduction to the Episcopal Church for teens.
The information is fairly straightforward on Baptism and Confirmation, Bible,
History, Faith, Worship, Sacraments, Spirituality, and the organization of
the Episcopal/Anglican Church, but it is presented in a way accessible to youth
and there is a website for follow-up on any given topic. It is a good book to
use with a youth group, a Confirmation group, or as background information
for leaders. Holy Superheroes! - Greg Garrett, Westminster/John Knox
Press, Louisville KY; 2008 Comic books and comic book characters in the movie are resurgent (3
big comic book movies are due to be released in the summer of ’08) and
Garrett, a comic book fan and seminary trained professor of literature, has
written this book to show how these comic book characters have a spiritual
underpinning. He uses Superman, the original “good guy”, as a basis for
comparison with other cartoon characters and how they all develop in their
values and understandings. He outlines how characters have become much more
complex in the course of 50-60 years of development and shows what depth can
be found in the world of comics, graphic novels, and comic book films. The
book concludes with a list of 25 comics and graphic novels to use for
discussion and suggests possible themes for each. Journey to Adulthood – LeaderResources,
Washington DC YAC component is for 10th or 11th through 12th
grades; primarily run by students with adults as facilitators; Contacts: Blue Water, Christy
Allen, Grace, Port Huron; Flint River, Kris Forsyth, St Christopher’s,
Grand Blanc; Northern, Rev David Vickers, Transfiguration, Indian
River; Saginaw Valley, Marnie Bash, St John’s, Midland or http://www.leaderresources.com/ Episcopal Curriculum for Youth - Center for Ministry for Teaching, VTS; No
cost See: http://www.vts.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=122315&rc=1 A series of 12
modules, focusing on issues important to older youth Leadership teams of
youth and adults present the lessons. Each module includes the leader guide
and a poster pack (Video) A Cry for Help – Paraclete Video Productions; Brewster MA; 2001 The subtitle is “How to help a friend who is depressed or suicidal”, and this video talks about the reasons behind such behavior as well as how a friend can help. It uses many teens talking about these problems-some who have been there and some who are friends-and helps the youth learn what to look for in a friend who may need their help. 22 min. (Video) When a Loved One Dies – Paraclete Video Productions; Brewster MA; 2001 This video is designed to help those who have lost a loved one and help them realize how much of what they are feeling is normal as well as how to face the future and learn to cope. 30 min. Great
Religions of the World - Sr.
Loretta Postua, St Mary's Press; Winona WI A presentation of
the major religions of the world, divided by the region in which they began,
and introduced by a discussion of the key elements of religion. Student book
contains many color illustrations; teaching manual includes background
information and activities. The Christian
Tradition – Smith and
Bodin, eds, Argus Communications, Allen TX, 1978 Source book w/a
collection of readings and glossary, Teacher Guide, and Copy Masters The Jewish
Tradition – Smith and
Bodin, eds, Argus Communication, Allen TX, 1978 Source book w/a
collection of readings and glossary, Teacher Guide, and Copy Masters (Audio cassette) Peer Pressure – Spectrum, David C.
Cook Publishing Co, Chicago IL A music based
curriculum with discussion questions, activities, and Bible studies The Hebrew Scriptures - St Mary's Press, Winona WI A study of why
the Old Testament is important to us, followed by discussion of the various
parts of the Hebrew Scriptures (including the Apocrypha) Student guide and
Teaching manual. Celebrating Sacraments – Joseph Stoutzenberger, St Mary’s Press,
Winona WI; 1993 This is an
excellent explanation of sacraments as a whole and the specific sacraments;
designed for Roman Catholic High Schools, it is nevertheless a good
introduction for any group. Begins with what sacraments are and how we use
them, before looking at each individual sacrament in some depth. Teen Text – Download: www.educationalcenter.org This is an
on-line lectionary based study for youth that ties the Scripture reading to
their lives; offers questions for the students to consider throughout the
week; costs $26/year Faithtalk – Youth and Family Institute Faithtalk is a set of cards designed to help youth and their
families or youth leaders talk on a variety of topics. The 4 topics for youth are Memories,
Etchings (reflecting on experiences), Values, and Actions. Included with the
card pack are a set of directions for the way to use these cards in a group and
also suggestions for a variety of ways to use the cards with different groups
and settings. The cards come in their own colorful carrying pouch. Annually renewed curriculum-samples on file (located in 3 ring
binders): Clear Curriculum – Randall House Publications, Nashville TN This resource is
designed to have the entire family studying the same Scriptural materials
from infants and toddlers through adulthood; it is closely age graded. The
teacher guides include a brief reflection for the teacher and very detailed
instructions for teaching each class. Patterns and other resources are
included in a separate teacher pack. Also included is an activity book for
the students. This curriculum resource has available all the “bells and
whistles” and so can be a bit expensive.
Living the
Good News – Morehouse
Publishing, Harrisburg PA (updated annually) An Episcopal
Lectionary based curriculum; seasonal leader’s guide includes lessons with
background information and meditations on the weekly readings, the story to
tell, activities, and closing prayer. Easy to use; age graded: Senior High Seasons of the Spirit - Logos Publications, Inver Grove Heights MN
(updated annually) Based on the
Revised Common Lectionary, seasonal guides offer teachers background information
on scripture, stories and activities for class, worship and outreach
opportunities, includes beautiful art work as well as musical suggestions for
class; Closely graded: 12-14 years, 15-18 years; Available for review: Fall
02 (Late Pentecost) For more information: www.spiritseasons.com See also: Peace and Justice – Non-violence/Peace
Making If only today you knew…the things that make for peace – Institute for Peace and Justice; 2002 This is a resource for high school students that includes “peacemaking activities in response to violence, terrorism and war”; it has several lessons as well as a variety of activities and references; the resource was created with Pax Christi USA, a peacemaking organization of the Roman Catholic Church Adult
Curriculum – Bible Studies The Bible and Devotional Life - Steve Clapp,
Wesley Kolbe Publishing A set of 42 daily meditations with reflection questions for each day;
also includes 6 weekly class sessions. Sacraments/Bible/Prayer
- Confirmation Materials I Will With God’s Help – Mary Lee Wile, Living the Good News,
Denver CO; 2000 A six-twelve session Confirmation course for youth and/or adults; it
takes a look at each of the baptismal promises in preparation for Confirmation
and offers a solid reflection on our Episcopal heritage and belief. It may be
taught by either lay or clergy and includes a good introduction explaining
current thinking on Confirmation. The Leader’s
Guide includes an extensive bibliography; also Youth and Adult Journals. Confirm not Conform – www.morehouseeducation.org This is a new
program developed in an Oakland CA church to help youth explore their understandings
of faith and of the Episcopal Church; it is a year-long program which
involves the entire congregation and also offers an adult component. The
program is licensed based on church size and renewed annually. Available for
preview are an introductory packet with lesson 1, both on paper and on CD. Keeping the Promise
- by Andrew D Parker, Morehouse Publishing, Harrisburg PA Designed as a mentoring program, 9 sections, student and mentor meet
regularly with some meetings of full group of participants, includes Mentor's
and Student's books |
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Pilgrimage
Resources The following resource is
available in each Convocation; see below for contact: Pilgrimage Manuel - LeaderResources,
Washington DC; 2000 An update of the original curriculum; all the information for planning
your pilgrimage in one place Locations: BW-Christy Allen; FR-Kris Forsyth; N-Rev. David Vickers;
SV-Marnie Bash
The following items are
located at the Diocesan Center, Saginaw: Pilgrim's London - Robert
H Baylis, Lion Publishing; 1990 A dictionary style reference to places around London with the secular
and spiritual history American Pilgrimage – Mark Ogilbee & Jana Riess, Paraclete
Press, Brewster MA; 2006 The authors look at several sites in the US
as possible sites for pilgrimage; probably not too many are familiar to us,
and some might not seem likes places of pilgrimage, but all offer
possibilities and ideas. The book also discusses-to some extent-“why” people
go on pilgrimage. The appendix includes ways to contact the various places
mentioned. Places of Secret Prayer, Pilgrimage in Alabama – William M. King,
privately published; 2004 While on sabbatical, King first gathered
suggestions from fellow clergy and then visited 12 places around his state
where prayer and spirituality were part of their history; most were churches,
but he also included a mosque and the place where Jonathan Daniels was
killed-the site of yearly pilgrimages by many people. The book also contains
a CD with w adult education classes, one on pilgrimage generally and one on
the 12 places he visited; there is also a list of “practical steps for making
a pilgrimage”. It might be fun to see what he has done and try it in our own
state! The following items are located at St John’s, Midland: Cathedral Meditations - Rev. Joan Bristow, SPCK, Great Britain; 1998 A series of descriptions of and meditations about many of the English
cathedrals Pilgrims in the Kingdom – Deborah and David Douglas, Upper Room
Books, Nashville TN; 2004 The Douglas’s made several short trips to places of pilgrimage in
Great Britain; they went to “kneel where prayer has been valid”. There is a
brief meditation on each spot visited, and at the back of the book are detailed
notes to help others travel to these places. The Road to Canterbury – Shirley du Boulay, Morehouse
Publishing, Harrisburg PA; 2003 Describes an actual pilgrimage from Winchester to Canterbury; the
author expresses thoughts and feelings along the way and reflects much on the
meaning of pilgrimage On Pilgrimage - Douglas
C. Vest, Cowley Press, Boston MA; 1998 A discussion of the "whys" and "hows" of making
pilgrimages; includes a good check-list at the end. |
For more information or to borrow a particular
item, contact Marnie Bash,
Coordinator,