2004-2005 Studies
Concerning Prayer
Concerning Prayer guides the reader through types of prayer and
explores prayer issues such as interfaith prayer and prayer in school.
"Flash" graphic inspirations gently lead the reader into reflections
while articles on meditation explore the health benefits and techniques
of meditation. Links to labyrinth web sites and a wide ranging
bibliography both inspire and inform believers to go more deeply into
their own spiritual practices. Prayers of the heart and prayers of
action are engaged by the "Prayers for Peace" campaign and engages
visitors to consider, "How do we pray in the face of evil?" "How
do we
pray for the good of all?" On our web site "Concerning
Prayer" you
can
order the video, "What Good Is Prayer," as well as our book in English,
Spanish and Korean and a separate resource for young people.
 Public
Education
Public schools are the largest public institution in our nation. On the average
school day, approximately fifty million children in kindergarten through grade
twelve - about one-fifth of all our citizens - are in school. At a time when
education is the buzz word in political campaigns and budget discussions from
the federal
government to state legislative houses and into local communities, it is appropriate
for people of faith to take a serious look at public education. Despite a variety
of alternatives being discussed and promoted, the vast majority of children in
the United States will in the near future find themselves in a public school.
If we believe with some of our founding fathers that education is the foundation
of a democratic society, then the question arises as to what we want the future
citizens of that society to know and what obligations the total society has to
prepare children for their future – our future.
 Cuba
To understand the church in twenty-first century Cuba, we must be aware of its
particular character and history and the five events that have had a significant
impact on the Christian church. Therefore the Cuba study is about the church
in Cuba in its various forms: Roman Catholic,
Protestant,
and those
of Santeriía
and
African-Christian
religions.
Until the
last quarter of the nineteenth century, Roman Catholicism was the only legal
way to worship in Cuba. Cathedrals and churches were found almost entirely
in urban centers. Worshipers were, for the most part, the comfortable in society.
Popular Cuban culture with its Spanish origins
had a veneer of Christian faith but as Cuba's distinctive identity developed,
its spirit was affected by African-Christian religions.
2003-2004 Studies
 Creating Interfaith Community
Through
much of American church history Christians have been fairly oblivious to
the presence of other religions in our land. But today the other faiths
have become so numerous and so prominent on the American scene that
we
cannot ignore
them. Our Christian brothers and sisters in other lands have had much more
experience in living with believers of other religions than we have.
They can help us to
understand what interfaith community involves, and they can teach us the
danger of neglecting the possibilities for such community. The question
put to Jesus, “Who
is our neighbor?” took on new urgency after September 11, 2001. The
need to understand our neighbors of different faiths and find ways of getting
to
know each other better while being grounded in our Christian faith is the
theme of
this very contemporary study.
 Who is That Kid Next Door?
Younger Christians go to school and live in communities
with others from other faiths, seeing religious
conflicts on a daily basis. And they question whether their Christian
faith is mature enough to engage in dialogue and live in harmony with those
of other faiths. This book of stories told by youths will engage youth
in discussions on interfaith issues, on personal faith journeys as Christians,
and on the
quest to live
with others in an inter religious
community.
Seven Friends - Seven Faiths
Creating Interfaith Community for Children focuses on stories of how Jewish,
Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Baha'i children celebrate their faith and
what their holidays mean.
Exodus
The story of Exodus has been a powerful tool in the journey toward justice and
freedom in the African American community. Methodists have experienced historic
divisions because of slavery and racism from which we have yet to fully recover.
The spiritual growth study on Exodus: The Journey to Freedom is a journey the
whole Methodist family has been on since John Wesley began his ministry. Slave
trading of Africans was already in full swing and Wesley would have none of
the “execrable
villainy which is the scandal of religion”. In the United States, free
blacks and former slaves responded to racism in the North by founding their own
Methodist churches (African Methodist Episcopal and African Methodist Episcopal
Zion). In the mid-1800s the Methodist Episcopal Church split into North and South
as the civil War loomed. After the war, former slaves in the South were given
their own church, separate from the whites (Colored Methodist Episcopal now Christian
Methodist Episcopal). This study provides an opportunity to look at the story
of the escape from Egypt of the Hebrew people through the lenses of the African-American
experience of liberation from slavery and on through the continuous struggle
with racism today.
2002-2003 Studies
 Mexico: Labyrinth of Faith
The history of Mexico contains a spiritual history which is complex and largely unknown outside of Mexico. This study gives a brief political and cultural history of Mexico and gives a portrait of Mexico's history of religion.
 Pyramids and Pig Tails:
A Children's Study on Mexico
Join Jenifa and her mother as they travel to Mexico, stay with the family of Bolivar and Maria, and learn about Mexico, the culture, the geography, Christ's mission in the country, and so much more.
 Restorative Justice
Many people live much closer to the world of crime, violence, courtrooms, jails, and prisons that anyone should have to. Many dream of a system of justice for all God's people--one which builds up and transforms rather than isolates and punishes.
The Scandalous Message of James
 The Epistle of James has long been a controversial book. The Early Church debated whether it should be canonized. Protestants like Martin Luther thought it was a "book of straw." But James survived to challenge each new generation of Christians to put their faith into action.
2001-2002 Studies
Global Health and Christian Response-Ability: Adults
 Explore the current status of global health care as it affects individuals, societies and the mission and ministry of the church in this mission study.
 Global Health and Christian Response-Ability: Children and Youth
We're about to embark on an adventure together. Together, we'll explore countries around the world. We'll meet people from these areas. We'll discover the health issues in each of these countries, what can we do to help, and why we should help.
Jesus and Courageous Women
This study highlights courageous women in the the New Testament, provides a window into women's leadership among the early followers of Jesus, and offers role models for women today who are compelled by Jesus and his teachings to be transformed and to transform the world.
Jesus and Courageous Women: Children and Youth
Seven scenes of Jesus and courageous women illustrate this New Testament study, in which two youth groups raise questions about each story. The art for this book is available on this web site and may reproduced for use with this study.
Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos: Lands and People
Explore the unique relationship of people in the United States with these three countries. Increase your awareness of United Methodist mission work by and with Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians.
2000-2001 Studies
Children of Africa
This study gives an in-depth look at the causes of such desolation in the lives of many African children as well as the opportunity to see the response of The United Methodist Church as it endeavors to save children from cruelty, injustice, disease and death.
God's People in an Urban Culture
The massive move of people to the city and its environs has created many new issues for faithful people.
Paul's Letters to the Corinthians
Paul's letters to the Corinthian congregations reflect challenges facing the early church as Christians struggled with what it means to be made a new creation in Jesus Christ.
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