News from The Christian Education Network of the ELCA

July 2018 Resources

Our Mission:

Supporting lifelong faith formation in the home and congregation.

From the President's Desk

Dear friends,

One day, during my first call, a member spent the day in the church office helping the secretary sort files. I was writing a newsletter article, finishing a sermon, had a hospital visit to make and Hospice called to say someone had died. For many of us, that is just a typical day. My member was amazed at all that happened that most people never knew.

How true that is. How many hours do we spend behind the scenes shopping, planning, filling in, and other things that most people never know? That is just a day in the church life. But what if...?

What if you had someone to support you on those long days when half the teachers call off sick? What if you had a place to go to get input on curriculum instead of starting from scratch? What if you had project specialists for those areas that you may not like?

The good news is that you do! The Christian Education Network intentionally selected Colossians 2:2 as our theme verse...

...that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love...

We want to encourage and support you. But we also need you. We need you to let us know your needs and how we can support you. Our website is www.faithfulteaching.org. There, under the "About" tab, you will find you CEN leadership. Each region has a network advocate. Reach out and get to know them and let them get to know you.

In addition to the resources on our website, you can also find us as a Facebook page, a Facebook group and now, on Pinterest. The Facebook group is a great place to ask questions and seek ideas from more than 1000 individuals. Our Pinterest boards are growing daily and include 17 back-to-school pins. If you have an idea to share, just let us know. If you have a question, just ask.

There are a lot of people working behind the scenes to offer encouragement and support to those who dedicate their lives to faith formation. We are your team. You have been called to the ministry of education. It can be overwhelming. There is a lot to do. But the work you do is everlasting. Thank you for the hours you spend, the sleepless nights and tears shed, the frustrations, and the blessings.

Oh, and that member... she became a Synodically Authorized Lay Leader!

Blessings and joys on your journey,

Pastor Juli Lejman-Guy, President

CENetwork of the ELCA

Resources

for Ministry Leaders

Including Back-To-School Sunday in the Congregation's Worship

There are many ways to raise the beginning of the new school year. It can be as simple as including it in the church's prayers or as elaborate as a back to school festival. This post offers some background on children's concerns as school begins again and a collection of ways to raise those concerns in worship.

Outlines for Faith Formation

Would you value a sequence chart or outline for faith development related to age and stage? A Common Core for discipleship? Check out these beautiful resources: The ELCA's " Recommended Practices for Lifelong Faith Formation," and a " Church Learning Rubric."

Scripts

Do you need a script or a starting point for a back-to-school prayer or worship service? Check out this resource from the Presbyterian Mission of the Presbyterian Church USA and another from YouthMinistry.com. The United Methodist Church also offers a back-to-school blessing, along with other resources. The Eastern Dakota Synod (ELCA) offers a script for backpack blessings here.

Check out these back-to-school boards on our Pinterest site!

You can also view a back-to-school blessing on YouTube!

Good Reads

Title: <18>: Faith for the Next Generation

Authors: Rich Melheim, Bob Lenz

<18> is a funny and thought-provoking exchange between two friends from different faith traditions. As Rich and Bob interact, they expose the urgency of sharing God's love with people under the age of <18>.

Check it out on Amazon Smile!

How You Can Support the Christian Education Network

You can become a member or make a one-time donation via PayPal on our website; or, y ou can purchase from AmazonSmile and designate The Christian Education Network as your charity. We receive a percentage of the proceeds!

Simply go to smile.amazon.com.

Contact Us

CENetwork of the ELCA

P.O. Box 9304

Rochester, MN 55903

Email

Phone messages may be left at

(507) 721-0057

Prayer Pause

God of compassion,

Send your Holy Spirit to be among those who need your guiding presence. Be with those who travel this summer; help them to stay safe. Be with those who go to camp, that it might be a rewarding experience for them. Be with those who are unemployed or under employed and are searching for work. Be with us who are your hands and feet in this world.

Amen.

Elizabeth Cummings

Chaplain, CENetwork