My first paid writing gig came about through the strangest of circumstances. A broken hotel ice machine led to a chance late-night conversation in an elevator, which later led to an offer to write a book. When it came out, I think I must have carried that resource around with me for 2 days straight with a big grin on my face. There is a certain thrill that comes with seeing one's name in print, I'd have to admit. Now, twelve years, eight books, and over 200 articles and blog posts later, I'm somewhat more comfortable with calling myself a writer...but I'm not all that keen about heavily promoting my work. However, since an Oprah appearance isn't in my future, I hope you will indulge me as I introduce you to my latest work, Burst: Green Church, which has just been released. I saw the final version yesterday, and I have to say in all honesty that it's my favorite—and probably most important—thing I've ever written.
Burst: Green Church is part of two series published by Abingdon Press. First, it's the second in the Burst series of short-term youth resources (the other being Burst: World Religions). Second, it's the youth component in a whole-church study called Green Church. (The other two pieces are an adult study called, Green Church: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice! by Rebekah Simon-Peter, and a children's study entitled, Green Church: Caretakers of God's Creation by Suzann Wade and Daphna Flegal.) Each piece of both series stands alone, but particularly with the Green Church pieces, the greatest impact comes when every age group has a chance to study the topic. Although the copyright dates on our Cokesbury site currently say that the resources are not published until March or April, I was told they are indeed in stock and are currently shipping. [UPDATE: On our Cokesbury site, please search for Burst Green Church. Or, here's the item on Amazon.]
Burst: Green Church is designed with flexibility in mind, and they will work with both younger and older youth. The six sessions could be done during Sunday school, youth group, a weekend retreat, or as part of a week-long VBS for youth. Ideally, though, I think they work best in settings where you'll have both more available prep time and session time (90 minutes would be optimal, but not essential). Each of the highly interactive sessions encourages youth to not just do something about the environment, but to think theologically about the earth and our relationship to it. I think that's one of the things I loved most about creating this resource. Youth have heard time and time again about environmentalism, but these sessions focus in on the faith-related connections to the topic. It's a topic I'm passionate about personally, and I think you'll find Burst:Green Church to be a "progressive church-friendly" resource.
The six sessions are focused around six key words:
- Reclaim - youth are encouraged to reclaim the first role given to humanity in the Bible: tending and tilling the garden.
- Reduce - youth are encouraged to develop a Sabbath habit and to consider how Sabbath-keeping can be a way of caring for creation.
- Reuse - youth explore the theme of wastefulness and the alternate possibilities, attitudes, and values that can be embraced.
- Recycle - youth think about how each part of one's life, from food to career choices, has environmental consequences and inherent meaning.
- Repent - youth are invited to turn from the sin of degrading the environment and turn (supported within the context of community) to a new life.
- Rejoice - youth hear the good news that creation is indeed very good and blessed by God, and are encouraged to choose hopefulness rather than fearfulness.
Each session has 2 1/2 to 3 pages of reflection on the topic, multiple activity options (always including Bible study and some sort of action), and a closing ritual, plus additional information is also available online. The sessions were designed to reflect the theme through the use of minimal resources. Student booklets are also available in inexpensive 5-packs, and I really do encourage you to purchase them. They contain the scriptures and some theological reflection on the topics.
I hope you'll consider using this resource—as well as the companion pieces for children and adults—in your congregation. If you order them from our Cokesbury site (just search by title for Green Church, or go to the last page of our recommended items list which is linked under the main banner) or from Amazon, you'll be supporting our ministry and DifferentVoice.com. Consider them for a springtime theme (Earth Day is not far away!), a multigenerational camp, or a summer VBS or special Sunday school series. Plan a sermon series to go with them too, if possible. And I'd definitely love to have your review posted here after you've had a chance to use them!
~ by Tim Gossett