Advent Planner
Let your face shine!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Like eager children waiting for the arrival of expected guests, we long to see God’s face. We yearn to experience God’s fullness in our lives. Throughout Advent we glimpse the mystery of God from a variety of angles, culminating in the brilliant Epiphany Sunday vision of a welcoming God who reaches out in loving hospitality to all nations.
The Advent theme, “Let your face shine!” is not only our plea to God. It is a call for us to become part of the shining transformation of our world.
Advent Planner is a day for equipping pastors, worship leaders and musicians to guide their congregations into the anticipation and promise of this season. The day offers creative ideas for scripture presentations, children’s time, congregational prayer, and music and visual elements. Participants will sample elements of worship for each Sunday of the season. Using the Mennonite Church Advent 2008 theme, “Let your face shine!” 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.
Rebecca Slough, Ph.D., is AMBS Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Worship and the Arts.
Schedule
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Waltner Hall Lounge, with hot drinks provided. The Event begins in the Chapel of the Sermon on the Mount at 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
| Time | Description | Location |
| 8:00 a.m. | Registration with hot drinks provided | Waltner Hall Lounge |
| 8:30 | Welcome and introduction | Chapel of the Sermon of the Mount |
| 8:50 | Opening retreat | |
| 9:10 | Introducing Advent 2008 worship theme and resources | |
| 9:30 | Sample Advent service | |
| 10:15 | Morning break | Waltner Hall Lounge |
| 10:35 | Introduction to Advent and Christmas services | |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch | Lambright Center Dining Hall |
| 1:15 | Music for the Advent-Christmas season (Rebecca Slough) |
Chapel of the Sermon of the Mount |
| 2:00 | Afternoon break | Waltner Hall Lounge |
| 2:15 | Exploring visual and dramatic arts for Advent season | Chapel of the Sermon of the Mount |
| 2:45 | Table group discussion and forum | |
| 3:15 | Closing worship | |
| 3:30 | Evaluation |
Cost
Registration
$80 before September 22, 2008
$60 each, for three or more from one congregation, before September 22, 2008
$90 after September 22, 2008
Lunch
Lunch is available for an additional $5.00. 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.
Continuing Education Units
Participants earn 0.5 CEUs for attending Advent Planner.
Registration
Questions?
Contact the Church Leadership Center
(574) 296-6269
ChurchLeadership@ambs.edu