Memo to Pastors June, 1997

Up Close and Directing Human Resources

Name: Awanda Pritts.
Current Position: Human Resources Director.
First job: Cashier at a local grocery store.
Baptized by: A pentecostal preacher in a mountain lake in Pennsylvania at age 17.
Biggest achievement: Working part-time and attending college as an adult while raising two children.

What you might find in her refrigerator: Yogurt, Gouda cheese, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

It may surprise you that Awanda: Grew up in Scottdale and attended a Methodist Church until she became a member of the Mennonite Church in 1987.

Favorite Scripture verse: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31.

Best kept secret about Herald Press: How each employee's work plays an integral part in the mission of Herald Press.

What she often does on Saturdays: Attend son's soccer games, work in perennial gardens, and ski cross-country (when there is snow!).

What she wishes every pastor knew: How much involvement in a church family enhances Christian values and work ethics.

Up Close with Mennonite Publishing House

On a regular basis, MEMO presents new resources for congregations. These Up Close profiles are intended to introduce members of the Mennonite
Publishing House family who create or work behind the scenes to produce these materials
--Levi Miller, Vice President, Congregational Publishing

Celebrating God's Generosity

A Christian View of Money by Mark Vincent combines Bible study, real-life scenarios, and practical suggestions to help Christians clarify theirbeliefs about the earning and use of money. Suitable for both individual reading and group study. The reflection-and- suggestion section of each chapter is designed to help both leaders and students master the material.
136 pages. Price: $6.99 (U.S.); $9.95 (Canada), plus postage.

Teaching a Christian View of Money is a congregational manual which identifies 12 areas of congregational life where stewardship understandingsare communicated and outlines a strategy for action. Includes resources on preaching/teaching about money, worship aids for dedicating offerings, suggestions for congregational finances, and much, much more. Both books are a part of The Giving Project, a stewardship education effort of the
Mennonite and General Conference Mennonite churches. Price: $34.99 (U.S.); $49.95 (Canada) plus postage.

PrePayment Plan

For the past two years, we have offered congregations an additional five or six percent discount on advance payments. We made the offer because the period between now and late summer presents a cash squeeze. If your congregation chooses to send payment for the year by May 31, you will receive a voucher for the amount sent plus an additional five percent of that amount. This voucher can then be applied as payment toward your Sunday school order. You recognize valuable savings and help us by reducing our need to borrow.

We sent mailings to your Sunday school ordering person and church
treasurer. Please encourage people in your congregation who are responsible for buying Mennonite Publishing House products to discuss how this offer might help your congregation.

International Bible Lessons Celebrate 125 Years

Representatives of 17 denominations met on April 13, 1997, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching. Susan Janzen of the General Conference Mennonite Church and Levi Miller of the Mennonite Church attended the celebration held at the Second Presbyterian Church where the Committee on the Uniform Series was organized in 1872.

The six-year cycles of Uniform Series Bible outlines are used by 23
participating denominations to develop studies and publications. Among the Mennonite publications which use the outlines are the Adult Bible Study, Builder, The LINK Youth Bible Studies, Bibelstudien Fuer Enwachsene, Mennonite Weekly Review, Purpose, and Rejoice!.

Resources for 1997-98 Sunday School Year

Enclosed is a copy of Curriculum Preview 1997-98 as found in the May issue of Builder. Each year Builder provides this insert to help
you-congregational education leaders-plan for the next year. By knowing what Mennonite publishers are offering, you can more easily decide which issues are important for your congregation to explore. Here are several new electives from Mennonite publishers.

The Uniform Series 1997-98 outline provides themes and biblical texts for next year. By knowing the themes and biblical texts, congregational leaders can plan worship services to complement Sunday school themes. Call Herald Press (1 800 245-7894) for additional free copies of both brochures.

Herald Press Release

Herald Press announces the release of Keeping Salvation Ethical: Mennonite and Amish Atonement Theology in the Late Nineteenth Century, Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History (SAMH), Volume 35 by J. Denny Weaver.

In this pioneering work, J. Denny Weaver analyzes late-19th-century Mennonite and Amish thought on atonement, an issue of concern for all Christians. He maintains that these Anabaptists did have a theology,
displayed in the lived faith and in their writings, but it was threatened by the satisfaction theory of atonement.

Here is a unique comparative study of theology across Mennonite and Amish denominational lines. Weaver demonstrates how these eight writers tied nonresistance and atonement together, in contrast to 19th-century American evangelical theology.

Weaver uses many primary sources long neglected. His book creatively links history to theology and to the contemporary church. In a bold challenge, he proposes a historicized Christus Victor model of atonement and peacemaking for an alternative-church theology in critique of Christendom. Paper, 280 pages. Price: $19.99 (US); $28.50 (Canada).

Congregational Leadership Discussed in June Builder

In the June issue of Builder, Everett Thomas recaps the 10-year process leading to the publication of A Mennonite Polity for Ministerial
Leadership. This manual outlines the polity or structure for relationships between three offices: conference representatives, pastors, and lay
leaders.

How important is structure in relationship to pastoral leadership? We found that 316 of the 1,497 congregations (21.1percent) in the Mennonite and General Conference Mennonite denominations had pastoral changes in 1996.

Read more of what Everett has to say about leadership in the June Builder, including "What Should We Call a `Bishop'?" and "Some Practical Helps."

Purpose

On June 1, World Environment Day is supported by "Trees for Survival." This article describes the unique place oak trees play in the ecosystem.  "A Protestant Meets a Catholic" is the account of a brief meeting the author had with Pope John Paul before he became pope. The contact revealed the core beliefs held by both.

Children's Day (8th) explores the relationships of parents and children. In "If Honor, Then Honor," an adult daughter respected her father's advice. "Only a Tooth" reminds readers of the important occasion losing their first tooth has in the lives of all children. "Celebration of Children's Work" gives testimony to the wonderful insights of children gleaned by teachers.

Call 1 800 245-7894 for information about our individual and group
subscription plans. Enroll your congregation in a free-month trial
subscription to this discipleship magazine.

With/Youthguide

The church as community. Sounds like one of those phrases adults throw around when they're talking about Christian ideals and issues. But what does it mean for a teenager?

Karen Stoltzfus found out after a car accident. Dar Miller found out at the feet of a Nigerian tribal woman. Sally Jo found out during four weeks of communal living in South Sowbelly, Kansas.

What more could you want?