Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn, that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and every. Amen. (Collect for Education, Book of Common Prayer, page 261)
♦Fran McKendree Fran McKendree is a soulful singer who writes and performs songs that both speak to the soul are deeply theological. His new CD, Rise! is fantastic.
♦ Discerning Your Gifts
God has given us all that we need to live fully and in joy. Use this this ten minute meditation by Jesuit Media Initiatives to help youth identify their gifts and offer thanks to God for His abundance.
♦ Worship ideas
Rituals for group gatherings that give thanks and praise to God along the journey of faith.
♦ Tools
Resources you might like to have for your journey with youth.
Resources
Bible for Youth NRSV with Apocrypha ($14.95) From Publisher: Uses clear, contemporary English that remains true to the original meaning of the Scripture texts. Includes topical subject footers on each page, textual and explanatory footnotes for enhanced understanding; tables of measures and weights used in the Bible; chronological tables of rulers during biblicat times; and a select concordance for easily finding specific topics. 5 1/2" x 8"
Book of Common Prayer for Youth ($12.95) From the publisher: This complete 1979 Book of Common Prayer includes a full-color, contemporary soft cover, easy-to-read table of contents, and Guide to the Lectionary years. Affordably priced and ideal for bulk class purchase. Easy-to-read 12-point text. 5 1/2" x 8"
Soul Tending edited by Kenda Creasy Dean and Ron Foster provides over 40 life-forming practices that help us live the abundant life to which God calls each of us. This book helps us see how ordinary actions, done intentionally, create space for the Holy Spirit to make our lives holy. Each reflection balances instruction and experience that invites youth to choose practices that help form a mature faith. An excellent resource for youth groups and Sunday School classes.
Way to Live edited by Dorothy C. Bass and Don C. Richter tells the stories of the real teens whose lives are rooted in faith. Each chapter is written by a youth and adult team reveals the honest lives of teens today and their commitment to representing Christ in the world. An excellent book for teens searching for a way to live and adults who guide them.
Sleeping with Bread (Paulist Press) by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, and Matthew Linn introduces the Ignatian Examen, a simple method of discerning God's will in our lives. At the core of the Examen is the belief that God wants good things for us and that our feelings, along with our intellect, can guide us to notice how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives.
Get Up Off Your Knees (Cowley Publications) edited by Raewynne J. Whiteley and Beth Maynard offer more than two-dozen sermons based on the prophetic music of rock band U2. The book ends with a framework for a six-week program for exploring the aspects of God in the music of U2. U2s music spans the generations of babyboomers, GenXers and Millennials.
