Resource bits: 300th Anniversary, Jr. High Sunday, Mission Offering, more.

• The final set of Tercentennial Minutes written by Frank Ramirez have been released. These short one-minute readings have been made available through Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren, where Ramirez serves as pastor, as an observance of the 300th Anniversary of the Church of the Brethren. Write to ecob@yellowbananas.com to receive the minutes free of charge. Those who missed the first three series can receive them by writing to the same address. The 38th through the 55th of the series are recommended for the weeks from Sept. 7 through Dec. 28, and offer anecdotes cover interesting snippets of Brethren history. The final set of minutes include the story of "Hat Sunday" at Snake Spring Valley congregation in Pennsylvania, the tragic history of the 16 Brethren martyred in China, and the Brethren response to the Pandemic of 1918-19, as well as many more.
  
  
• Worship resources for the Church of the Brethren's 2008 World Mission Offering are available online, and have been mailed to congregations. The suggested date for the offering is Sunday, Oct. 12. Resources are offered in English and Spanish on the theme, "Called...by Remembrance" (Luke 22:19b), focusing on a Communion theme. Also available for order are bulletin inserts and offering envelopes. Go to www.brethren.org/genbd/funding/opportun/WorldMission.htm for more information.
  
  
• Worship resources for National Junior High Sunday are now available online, go to www.brethren.org/genbd/yya for downloadable resources to assist junior high groups planning to lead congregational worship on Sunday, Nov. 2.
  
  
• A 2008 Stewardship Resource Packet for the Church of the Brethren was mailed to each congregation this summer, suitable for use during the Advent season. The packet includes resources on the theme, "Blessed Be the Lord God" (Luke 1:68) for stewardship emphases during Advent. The packet includes a sample commitment card, sample bulletin inserts for the four Sundays of Advent, a four-color theme poster, a booklet on "Stewardship Resources," and two samples of the new "Reality Check" resources for youth retreats (see below). Multiple copies of the resources may be ordered through Brethren Press at 800-441-3712. For a list of available resources and prices see the packet, or contact Carol Bowman, coordinator of Stewardship Formation and Education, at cbowman_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• The new "Reality Check" pamphlets offer a series of plans for youth retreats and workshops on stewardship themes. The pamphlets have been prepared by Church of the Brethren staff including Carol Bowman, coordinator of Stewardship Formation and Education. The four pamphlets currently offered in the series are titled "Meal to Meal" focusing on the denomination's REGNUH (turning hunger around) emphasis; "Moment by Moment: Living in the Rhythm of God's Heartbeat" on valuing choices and God's gifts of life and time; "Dollar by Dollar: Licensed to Spend, Learning to Drive the Money Machine"; and "Sunrise to Sunrise: Waking up to God's Creation" to engage youth in the biblical command to care for creation. Each pamphlet offers a comprehensive plan for a youth retreat including a schedule, a scripture focus, a theme song, session plans, ideas for activities and games, worship resources, Internet links for additional resources, and notes for leaders. Copies of the pamphlets have been included in the Source packets that are mailed to congregations. Or order the pamphlets from Carol Bowman at cbowman_gb@brethren.org.
  
  
• Jeffrey A. Bach is succeeding William R. Eberly as editor of the Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc.'s Monograph Series. Bach is director of the Youth Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies and associate professor of religious studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. Eberly is a professor emeritus of biology at Manchester College, and was the first editor of the Monograph Series. Under his leadership the series has published seven volumes, including "The German Hymnody of the Brethren, 1720-1903" by Hedda T. Durnbaugh; "The Background and Development of Brethren Doctrines 1650-1987" by Dale R. Stoffer; "Brethren Beginnings" by Donald F. Durnbaugh; "Hochmann von Hochenau 1670-1721" by Heinz Renkewitz and William G. Willoughby; "Brethren Dress: A Testimony of Faith" by Esther Fern Rupel; "The Beliefs of the Early Brethren 1706-1735" by William G. Willoughby; and most recently Marcus Meier's new book, "The Origin of the Schwarzenau Brethren." The first Monograph to be edited by Bach is being written by Michael L. Hodson on the subject of Brethren and Universalism.
  
  
• A new children's book, "Give a Goat," is by Jan Schrock, a former director of Brethren Volunteer Service and a senior advisor for Heifer International. Schrock also is the daughter of Heifer founder Dan West. The illustrated hardcover book tells the story of a fifth-grade class that reads the Heifer children's classic "Beatrice's Goat," and decides to raise money to give a goat themselves through Heifer International. The book is published by Tilbury House. "Give a Goat" may be ordered through Brethren Press for $16.95 plus shipping and handling, call 800-441-3712.

Source: 9/12/2008 Newsline Extra