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These resources are available in the Northern Illinois Conference Media Resource Center. Contact Susan Dal Porto, Director of Media Resources, (847) 931-0710, ext. 17, or e-mail: sdalport@umcnic.org, for more information, or visit the Media Resource Center on this web site. |
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** Topics of Hospitality, Community,
Conflict and Reconciliation, Diversity
As your church prepares to have “Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors, you can use these resources (one book and videos) for committee meetings, sermon preparation, and worship:
Book: Welcoming the Stranger:
A Public Theology of Worship and Evangelism
(B83) Fortress Press, by Patrick R. Keifert, creator of video resource, “Inviting and Engaging Church.” This book places the welcoming task of the church in the context of pastoral care. Christians are called to meet the needs of those who walk into our churches. The Gospel requires us to explore worship rituals that are welcoming, and to examine sentimental notions of hospitality that may be threatening and pseudo-intimate. It examines what constitutes a sanctuary as we worship, and how we can create that place where a worshipping stranger can experience safety and security. — Age: YASr (170 Pages)
Baptism: A Sacrament of Belonging
(V94) Based on a true incident about a destitute boy in Mexico, this parable depicts both the beginning and culmination of the journey of faith. Scarred by fire and homeless, Alfredo is drawn by the warmth and love he sees among the children of the “Hacienda,” a community of Little Brothers and Sisters. He seeks out the “father” of these children and asks to join them. The padre, torn by the wish to help Alfredo and the need to assure his acceptance by the other children, puts the decision to the entire group. “Tu eres mi hermano” (You are my brother.) is the greeting that welcomes Alfredo into his new family — a welcome bright with music and fireworks. — Guide, Age: eEJ (9 Minutes)
Flowers for Charlie
(V644) Guaranteed to bring both laughter and tears, this entertaining and powerfully moving short film will delight and inspire your audience. It will open the door to discussion on issues of ageism and intergenerational appreciation. Charlie's gift of warmth and friendliness will also enable exploration of community building and hospitality. — Age: JSYASr (11 Minutes)
Folktales of Conflict and Peace
(V646) Professional storytellers breathe life into these tales from around the world that help explore models of conflict resolution: “Showdown,” a story from the Old West of two outlaws struggling for superiority; “Night and Day,” a story from the Shuswap Indian tribe of western Canada showing two animals resolving the issue of darkness and light; “Old Joe,” a story of friendship and cooperation between neighbors; and “The Monk,” an ageless story of ancient Japan revealing that we can seek answers within ourselves. — Guide, Age: All (22 Minutes)
Folktales of Peace
(V647) Professional storytellers breathe life into three Folktales of Peace from other cultures. A West African woman relates the Limba tale, “Strength,” an account of forest animals debating who among them is strongest. In “Argument Sticks,” a Native American recounts how a resourceful Iroquois mother helped her sons resolve an argument. “Two Foxes” is an Appalachian tale of deep friendship — its give-and-take, its mutual concern for the other's welfare — that foils fussing, fighting and quarreling. — Guide, Age: All (22 Minutes)
The Inviting and Engaging Church
(V925) Dr. Pat Keifert, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, examines four biblical texts that suggest new understandings about the identity of the church in a post-Christian era. “The Inviting and Engaging Church” draws upon church leaders to define the emerging world in which the church will operate. "A Tent in the Wilderness" is a focus on ministry through small groups. "A Temple for All Nations" describes the church as a welcoming, open community of diverse seekers in faith and gives techniques for effective hospitality. "A Public Well of Eternal Life" centers on outreach; mission into the stranger's territory. "A Table on the Way" describes the growing phenomenon of revolving door churches that reach out to minister to those who are on their way somewhere else. — Guide, Age: YASr (60 Minutes)
The Man Who Brought Happiness
(V1141) Happiness is brought to a small village in the form of bread: bread locked away by the grown-ups to mold. When the people are about to return the gift, they recognize the joy of the children who come for more. Only an awareness of the children's sharing saves the gift and involves them all in a sharing, caring life. — Guide, Age: eEJSYASr (6 Minutes)
Questions of Faith V:
#5 How Can We Love Practically Anybody?
(V1511)
Parent series: Questions of Faith V Series (V1507=)
What is love? Do we love ourselves? Have you experienced hate? How do you love someone who has angry feelings toward you or for whom you hold angry feelings? — Guide, Age: SYASr (25 Minutes)
The Rabbi's Gift
(V1524) Narrated by Scott Peck, this is a fable about one community's yearning for new life and vitality. Set in the time-forgotten world of an isolated monastery, a visiting Rabbi's parting words: “The Messiah is one of you,” penetrates the walls and towers, unleashing a surprising discovery. — Age: SYASr (7 Minutes)
Rainbow War
(V1529) Rainbow War is an high-energy and entertaining allegory about tolerance and good will. The kingdoms, the colors, and the postures of the leaders and their subjects represent prejudice and hatred spawned by fear and ignorance. Three kingdoms — Red, Blue and Yellow — wage a battle for supremacy using paint buckets, brushes and rollers as weapons and paint as ammunition. — Guide, Age: eEJSYASr (20 Minutes)
Searching for Community
(V1610) With the publication of A Different Drum, best-selling author M. Scott Peck introduced the principles of community to the public. This video is his powerful teaching tool for anyone interested in bringing the life and spirit of community to their world. It begins with the popular story, “The Rabbi's Gift,” and continues with Dr. Peck's presentation on the four stages of community building. He introduces us to Carlisle Motors, a pioneering company that is intent on living out the principles of community in the business workplace. Its compelling story unfolds with moving scenes from an on-site workshop and first-hand accounts of employees' struggles with learning the process of building community. — Guide, Age: YASr (45 Minutes)
Spiritual Home Page: Connecting
(V1680)
Parent series: Spiritual Home Page Series (V1678=)
How much do we need one another? It is through our connections with others, our family and friends, and through our rituals that we survive the difficult times that come to everyone. The author featured is Forrester Church, Lifelines: Holding On (And Letting Go); the profile is Phyllis Miller, importance of family tradition and ritual; the movie is “Shine”; and the music is “Leave a Light on For Us.” — Guide, Age: JSYASr (25 Minutes)
Stone Soup
(V1708) Taking place in a small French village, three tired and hungry soldiers approach the villagers for food and a place to rest. The villagers become frightened by the unknown soldiers and hide their food and inform the soldiers that they do not have a place for them to sleep. The soldiers tell the villagers that they will make soup from three smooth stones. The villagers are excited by this idea and eagerly help the soldiers gather the pot, water and stones to make the soup. When the soldiers hint that a few vegetables will make the soup even better, the excited villagers run home and return with many of the vegetables they had previously hidden. They all discover community as the villagers express hospitality in sharing food and offering lodging. — Guide, Age: eEJSA (11 Minutes)
When the Dust Settles
(V1933) The culprits responsible for flying dirt are neighboring gophers with an unneighborly appetite for anger and revenge. By sundown, the retaliatory rodents have all but obliterated both their homes: Is there any way they can put the pieces back together? This program tackles conflict in lively, humorous and provocative ways. It shows that amidst the chaos that conflicts create, there are still paths to reconciliation. — Guide, Age: eEJSYASr (7 Minutes)
Dinner for Two
(V2092) Peace in the rain forest is disrupted when two chameleons get "stuck" in a conflict, with catastrophic results. As they battle over "territory," these two small animals realize that their conflict affects not just them, but their whole environment. Luckily for the lizards, a frog observing the fracas turns into exactly what they need: a mediator. — Age: All (7 Minutes)
Ancient-Future Worship
(V2096) What people see, hear, feel and experience in your Sunday worship will have a profound effect on their relationship with God. Designed for study and discussion, this program provides a model of a worshiping congregation to illustrate immersed participation of the worshipers, bold pageantry, community feeling and the use of rich symbolism that emphasizes mystery and transcendence. Dr. Robert Webber narrates the six sessions: Understanding Worship, The Ministry of Hospitality, Gathering into God's Presence, Listening to God through The Word, Offering Praise and Thanksgiving at the Table, and Going Forth to Love and Serve the Lord. — Age: YASr (107 Minutes)
A Peacock in the Land of Penguins
(V2102) Meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing and increasingly diverse world is more important than ever. This animated and insightful video features Perry the Peacock and his exotic feathered friends and illustrates empowerment of employees and volunteers, effective communication, team building skills within the context of diversity. — Age: SYASr (10 Minutes)
Searching For Spirituality Series
(V2305=) In the midst of life's “dailyness” and dramas (traffic, deadlines, shuttling the kids, emergencies), how does one live well? Joan Chittister, Benedictine nun, teacher, author and sociologist, says that "Real spirituality is life illuminated by a compelling search for wholeness." Joan, along with six other seekers, explores ten attributes that form a Christian spiritual life. She refers to the teachings of the desert fathers and mothers of 1,700 years ago because they struggled with the same issues that plague us. — Guide, Age: YASr (115 Minutes)
(V2305) Parent Series: Searching for Spirituality Series (V2305=)
(V2306) Parent Series: Searching for Spirituality Series (V2305=)