NW PA Synod

Comment

Comment by Michelle Flaherty on June 7, 2009 at 3:20am

Synod assembly is rapidly approaching and I'm EXCITED!

Comment by Mary Housholder on October 15, 2008 at 6:52pm

Hi, Pat.
Just in case you're on this group site instead of your page. Here is another note.

Comment by Pat Melpolder on October 15, 2008 at 5:53pm

Welcome to all new members of the NWPA group!

Comment by Pat Melpolder on August 30, 2008 at 8:23am

Please note that the BFI Resource kit is now available for all who had been waiting for it. There is a link on the main page to follow. Pat

Comment by Pat Melpolder on August 27, 2008 at 5:20pm

Leslie - thank you for taking an active role in our synod group. You are a great resource to us!! Pat

Comment by Rev. Leslie Fox on August 27, 2008 at 3:32pm

Hi NW PA Synod Group! I agree with Mary that it takes a person dedicated to growing in their faith life who makes a commitment to a small group study. As a pastor in my previous call, I saw people connecting with one another at church either over the coffee pot, and drifting into the adult forum offered while their children were in Sunday School. I was always trying to find meaningful resources that could fit into a 30 to 45 minute time frame. I'm pleased that the new BOF resources include a DVD along with participant and leader guides. Hopefully, these will be adaptable for sessions of any length. As your congregational representative from Augsburg, I get to hear from lay leaders in 9 synods. So in response to Pat's question about bible study resources: I have several suggestions based on feedback I've received. A woman from the Allegheny Synod told me how much her adult small group enjoys using The Lutheran Handbook I and II. "We read a page or two from the handbooks and discuss. Sometimes we go places we never imagined, but we always learn a lot!" Personally, I really like the Akaloo Highschool Handbooks. They're called "Questions for Life: John's View" ...Mark's, Matthew's, Luke's view... The material is very strong, very challenging and when a pastor from Iowa recently told me that she was using one of these with adults, I wasn't surprised. There's also a new Akaloo Handbook just published by Augsburg for adults on Bible Characters that I'm looking forward to seeing. My other favorites are from the Lutheran Voices Series: People of Purpose: 40 Life Lessons from the New Testament. (very short readings with discussion and reflection questions, perfect for adult forum length) The following are written by Pastor Kelly Fryer: "Reclaiming the L Word," (L for Lutheran) "Reclaiming the C Word," (C for Church) Reclaiming the E Word," (For Evangelical Identity). Same format is used, short chapters with questions listed. Kelly was a mission developer, has a great sense of humor and a practical nature. People consistently tell me how much they enjoy any bible study she's written. Last month I visited with a church council in northern Michigan at a mission development site. A young man in his 30's told me he'd decided to be baptised as a result of taking The Lutheran Course I and II. (!!!) His pastor offers these courses in the fall and spring, then follows up with a study on giftedness so that folks can apply the theology they learn to serving in their community. This combination seems to be building this church in a remarkable way. There's my two cents! I look forward to hearing about your favorite bible studies! Rev. Leslie Fox

Comment by Mary Housholder on August 23, 2008 at 10:56am

One of the recent assignments in one of the classes at Gettysburg specifically asked how we would integrate BOF materials into our assigned project. Researching the available material gave me most of what I needed for the project.
One of the major problems I see is the time factor. People are sooooooo busy with other stuff, it is very difficult to gather folk together for Bible Study?

Comment by Pat Melpolder on August 21, 2008 at 8:22am

As the synod advocate for the BFI, I am hoping to set up an e-mail group. This group would include a member of each congregation in the synod as a contact person. If you are willing to do that for your congregation or have a name to suggest, please let me know. This group mailing will serve to spread information and ideas throughout the synod about the Book of Faith and all subsequent Bible studies. Thanks, Pat

Comment by Mary Housholder on August 19, 2008 at 2:20pm

Working with Pat, I'd like to get some really good idea sharing going on here. For example... Is your congregation introducing BOF this September? Maybe starting an adult or young adult Bible Study using BOF materials? Let me know. It would be a great follow-up for the initiative passed at assembly.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty on August 18, 2008 at 12:21pm

Horray for NWPA!!!!

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