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Advent Planner
Bursting In and Breaking Out
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The weeks of Advent and Christmas invite us to anticipate, explore and celebrate the unexpected ways God “bursts in” and “breaks out” in our congregations and in the world. Because the past year has been filled with extraordinary confusion, chaos and fear, the first gospel reading of the season will strike our ears with unusual relevance: “People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world” (Luke 21:26). In such an uncertain time, Advent calls us to a kind of “bifocal” vision: to see both the cosmic picture of God’s loving purposes and action and our immediate, local setting where God breaks into our lives in ordinary and un-ordinary ways. The Advent-Christmas season offers hope and assurance that God is still at work—offering love, grace and peace, even in the midst of fearful times.
Advent Planner is a day for equipping pastors, worship leaders and musicians to guide their congregations into the anticipation and promise of the season. The day offers creative ideas for scripture presentations, visual elements, congregational prayer and rituals, and music. Participants will sample elements of worship for the Sundays of the season. Using the Mennonite Church Advent 2009 theme, “Bursting in and breaking out,” this workshop introduces the lectionary-based worship resources published in Leader magazine. Participants should bring a copy of the magazine or order one when registering for the workshop.
The content is focused particularly for congregations who are part of Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada, but participants from other denominations and congregations that use the lectionary are welcome and have found similar events very helpful.
Leaders
Marlene Kropf, D.Min., is AMBS Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation and Worship and also Denominational Minister of Worship, Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership.
Rosanna Eller McFadden is a free-lance artist and a part-time student at AMBS. She is a member of Creekside Church of the Brethren in Elkhart, Ind.
Schedule
Saturday, October 3, 2009
| Time | Description | Location |
| 8:00 a.m. | Registration with coffee, tea and juice | Waltner Hall Lounge |
| 8:30 | Welcome and introduction to the day | Chapel |
| 8:50 | Opening retreat | |
| 9:15 | Introducing Advent 2009 worship theme and resources | |
| 10:15 | Morning break | Waltner Hall Lounge |
| 10:45 | Sample services for Advent and Christmas | Chapel |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch | Dining Hall |
| 1:15 | Exploring music for the Advent-Christmas season | Chapel |
| 2:15 | Afternoon break | Waltner Hall Lounge |
| 2:30 | Introducing changes in congregational worship. | Chapel |
| 3:15 | Closing worship | |
| 3:30 | Evaluation |
Cost
Registration
$85 before September 15, 2009
$75 each for three or more from one congregation before September 15
$95 after September 15
$10 full-time AMBS student (does not include Interterm only students)
Other student discounts are available on the online registration form.
Lunch
Lunch is available for an additional $6.00. Please pre-register for lunch or plan to eat off campus.
Leader Magazine
Leader Magazine is available for $7.60 per issue.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available for those who wish to attend this workshop. MMA, Goshen, Ind., provides grants to qualified Mennonite congregations for the pastor’s continuing education opportunities.
Lodging & Transportation
Options for lodging at AMBS and transportation to/from AMBS and the South Bend airport or other public transit hubs are listed on the online registration form.
Register
Click here to register online.
Continuing Education Units
Participants earn 0.4 CEUs for attending Advent Planner.
Questions?
Contact the Church Leadership Center
(574) 296-6269
ChurchLeadership@ambs.edu
Date:
3 October 2009 (All day)
