| Memo to Pastors August 1998 |
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Excerpts from Mennonite Publishing House 1997- 1998 Annual Report
The Mennonite Publishing House is composed of four divisions. Publishing, under the name Herald Press, is divided into congregational publishing and trade publishing. The eight retail stores are managed by the Provident bookstore division. The Operation division manages printing as well as record keeping and human resources. Many individuals within the organization possess specialized knowledge and skills. Communication within is important, but linkages across divisional lines are frequent and encouraged.
Ten years ago we had a non-Mennonite consultant meet with management at the Publishing House. He was impressed with how the functions are woven together. The businesses that make up this organization depend on each other, he warned me. If you pull one piece out, the rest may begin to unravel.
The synergistic relationship he observed then is still ongoing today. While each part has a strong sense of ministry and each has its own definition of its ministry, all see themselves as working with the others, and through their combined efforts, serving the Mennonite Church. The differences require some things to be held in tension, but also strengthen the whole organization. Each division reports on its ministry and successes elsewhere in this report.
Management is energized by the opportunities we see ahead. Our new information system will give us easy access to data that will be helpful in identifying what works and what doesn’t as we manage our product and subscription sales.
During the year new clarity will come in conversations about integration that should begin freeing us from some of the uncertainties we now have. The year showed markedly improving working relations with Faith & Life Press. We expect this to continue thus allowing the best possible service to our congregations.
J. Robert Ramer, Publisher
Jubilee Songbook, Cassette, and CD available September 30
The Jubilee songbook, cassette, and CD provide a compilation of Jubilee songs for children ages 3-8 to be sung at home or used by children’s leaders for group singing. This collection of songs was chosen from the Early Childhood and Primary, Cycles A, B, and C of Jubilee: God’s Good News by Rose Mary Stutzman, editor, and Marilyn Houser Hamm, music consultant.
This 64-page songbook contains over 40 songs with line drawings on each two-page spread. Songs are arranged under the following headings: Time to Rise and Shine; Time to Worship; Praising God with Joy, Telling God’s Story, Knowing God through One Another, Praying, Happy Times and Holy Times; Christmas, Easter—Spring, Times Together, Family and Friends, Table Graces, Time to Say Good-Night.
Criteria for song selection were: melodic and singable, songs with kid appeal, songs that best convey Jubilee biblical concepts and Jubilee attitudes toward children. The cassette and compact disc options are packaged with the songbook. Songbooks are available separately. Songbook, $6.95 (U.S.), $9.95 (Canada); Songbook & Cassette, $15.95 (U.S.), $22.75 (Canada); Songbook & CD, $17.95 (U.S.), $25.75 (Canada).
Jubilee in Spanish
A trial unit of Jubilee in Spanish is being offered for the Winter Quarter. This is the Primary Level, Cycle B, the same material which will be studied in English language classes which use Jubilee. The theme is "Jesus Brings God to Us" from the Gospel of Matthew. Materials translated will be the student packet and the teacher’s guide. The Resource Box is not translated. This is a project of the Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries, and Zulma and Jimmer Prieto of Goshen, Indiana, are serving as editor and translator of the project. During the month of September a letter with an order form will be sent to all churches which are part of the Hispanic Mennonite Convention. If you would like more information on the material, but are not a member of the convention, contact Jean Cavanaugh at Herald Press. The material itself will be available by October 1.
Jubilee Update
The fall issue of Jubilee Update (available on the web at http://www.mph.org/jubfal98.htm) has been expanded to four pages. Note the emphasis on teacher appreciation and teaching tips, as well as a section on "WOW! I Wonder If We Could Try That?" The Jubilee year in outline, Cycle B, 1998-99, has important information on when to schedule lessons to fit with Advent and Easter. Items from the newsletter may be photocopied for use in your congregation.
New Release from Herald Press
An important new book, Harold S. Bender, 1897-1962, by Albert N. Keim was sponsored by the Mennonite Historical Society of Goshen, Indiana.
"In Albert Keim’s captivating study of Bender, I gained much insight into this fascinating, complex person who was one of the commanding figures among Mennonites in this century—in fact, in our entire American experience. This is must reading for anyone seeking to understand the Mennonite story since World War I. Here is a quality biography, rich in engaging detail. This is a book I could not put aside."
—Robert Kreider, former director of Mennonite Library and Archives.Paper, 600 pages, $23.99 (U.S.); $34.25 (Canada).
Minister's Book Club
Have you considered joining the Herald Press Minister’s Book Club lately? If you haven’t, now is the time to do so. We have changed to fit your busy lifestyle.
1. We are now a positive option club. If you want any or all of the books offered, simply return the self-addressed postcard, call toll free 1 800 245-7894, or e-mail hp@mph.org. If you do not want the books, there is nothing you need to do.
2. You may now find the listing of our monthly selections on the Herald Press web site, http://www.mph.org/mbcmar.htm. If you decide you want to order any of these books, all you need to do is e-mail us at the address listed on the page.
3. Herald Press Trade Publishing wants to be your source for Anabaptist/Mennonite books. In order to do this, we will be offering from time to time resources from Herald Press Congregational Publishing, Faith & Life Press, and Pandora Press’ books which are copublished with Herald Press.
4. For our Canadian members, we are billing and shipping direct from our Herald Press Canada office. All of our resources now have a Canadian Club Price to make it more convenient for you.
5. We are featuring backlist titles which compliment our main selections along with a classic backlist to help you build your library and to keep you informed on books which will help you in your ministry.
There are no obligations to you. No cards to return (unless you want books). No set number of books you need to purchase each year. No hassle returns.
Join us today to start receiving information on our newest resources. For example, this month we are offering the Minister’s Manual edited by John Rempel, along with a number of other resources.
All you need to do to join and take advantage of being a member is call 1 800 245-7894. We can take the information over the phone and sign you up immediately. If you are interested in hearing about the Minister’s Manual or the other resources being offered this month, just ask. We will be happy to tell you about them! Check us out, we are growing and changing to serve you better.
Vision: Healing and Hope
Living the Vision: Evangelism and Peace, by Eleanor Snyder and Dave Rogalsky, is available now. It is the third in a three-part series designed to help congregations study, reflect upon, and put into action the Vision: Healing and Hope Statement. Price $5.95 (U.S.); $8.25 (Canada).
Builder
In the September issue of Builder, you will find information to help your congregation study A Mennonite Statement and Study on Violence, which was given final approval by the General Boards of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church in joint session in November 1997. Call 1 800 245-7894 to order copies of Builder.
Purpose
Transformation can occur in one’s life as illustrated by "Sunflower" and "Using Our Mistakes" (August 2). How a grief-stricken family found the energy to minister to another family in their pain is described in "Reaching Beyond Grief." The potential for good or bad can be the result of one’s response to an emergency. A positive result is recounted in "A Child’s Faith" (August 9). The uniform series Bible lesson for today, "Be Careful What You Say," is supported by "Gossip Extinguishers," "Words of Life," "Telling the Old, Old Story," and "Sluggers, Sharks, and Solomon" (August 16). Related back to school day (August 30) stories include "On Interdictions," and "Please, Fence Me In!"
That one can express one’s ministry in the church as well as on the job are illustrated in "For of Such Is the Kingdom" and "Just a Little Brighter" (September 6). "Set Free" (September 13) is the story of one man who was delivered from the clutches of sin and drugs including the restoration of family relationships. This story relates well to the Uniform lesson, "Freedom Is a Gift." "Remnants" (September 27) is a poetic reflection on the ministry of quilting by Mennonite quilters.
Call 1 800 245-7894 for information about our individual and group subscriptions plans. Enroll your congregation in a free three-month subscription to this discipleship magazine.
With
September’s With topic is on "the future" and features articles on the endtimes, decisions teens make that affect their future, and a lighthearted look at how not to apply for a job.