There's something about back-to-school that makes everyone feel the possibility of a fresh start. For students leaving behind the grades of prior semesters, becoming an A student feels like a possibility once again. Getting new school supplies is fun (at least for kids) and that new pencil box, markers, and notebooks gives the feeling of starting with a clean slate. A new window to the world is open and anything seems possible. Back-to-school can ignite these feelings in adults as well - it's almost like a mini-new year!
Back-to-school season is also a time of refocus for the church, bringing people together to start new spiritual disciplines. Christian educators create sign-up lists for classes that meet congregational context, and create hospitable environments for the Holy Spirit to flourish. Teachers prepare in study and prayer for the work that lies ahead.

"A Fresh Start," the latest multimedia bundle from United Methodist Communications, encourages congregations to look at the back-to-school season as a chance for all persons to begin anew, as a time of refocus for the church, and a way to create that hospitable environment for the faith community.

This four-week series addresses the following topics:

Week 1: Backpack Blessings: taking God with you to face fear, uncertainty and dreams
Week 2: Fitting In, or Becoming Fit: self-acceptance, peer pressure and self-worth in God
Week 3: When the Lead Breaks: dealing with disappointment
Week 4: Each Day a New Beginning: learning how to begin again

Outbound challenges are included to help the congregation take faith to the streets and show the love of Christ.

This "Fresh Start" multimedia bundle includes:

-5 Worship Videos
- Worship Slide and Bulletin Cover Graphics
-Direct Mail, Door Hangers, Newspaper and Invitation Card artwork to invite others

A vision. You as a leader may have it, but has your organization caught it? If a leader's vision is all about what could be and what should be, why are you buried under what is? Noted author and pastor Andy Stanley points out that if followers don't get the vision, it's because the leaders haven't delivered it. He reveals the three reasons vision doesn't stick. And then he delivers three ways to make vision stick, to make you a leader worth following: 1. Cast vision strategically: defining your vision. 2. Celebrate vision systematically: regularly rejoicing in the successes 3. Live your vision continuously: putting your vision into practice in your own life. With Making Vision Stick you'll learn how to propel you and your organization forward on the vision God has granted you.

Cornelio, un centurion romano, es testigo presencial de la crucifixion de Jesucristo. Mientras vigila su tumba, una inexplicable experiencia le obliga a buscar respuestas de parte de Tomas. El testimonio de Tomas acerca de su contacto personal con el Senor resucitado provoca la conversion de Cornelio, quien declara: "Con todo esto que he visto en mi vida, contare esta historia, !Jesus vive, es la esperanza, la unica esperanza de la humanidad! Lo se. !Yo presencie su gloria!"
(This film focuses on the predominant events of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jeus Christ. Cornelius, a Roman centurion witnesses the crucifixiion. While guarding the tomb an unexplainable experience forces him to look for answer on behalf of Thomas.)

JustFaith, a thirty-week adult educational and formational process, offers an opportunity for people of faith to embark upon a spiritual journey into compassion. Most of us long to be a generous and compassionate people. However, occasions to explore this tradition in a deliberate and engaging way have largely not been available. JustFaith provides a lively and challenging format to read, view, discuss, pray, experience and be formed by the justice tradition that changes lives, inspires faithful witness, and transforms the world through love and service. JustFaith is an extensive, conversion-based process that provides a context in which participants can grow in their commitment to care for the vulnerable and to become advocates for justice, and serves to strengthen the growing commitment of churches to be agents of social transformation, mercy and compassion. The JustFaith program has been offered in over nine hundred churches from a variety of denominations in thirty-seven states throughout the country.

This kit contains all the resources (23 books and videos) needed for teaching the JustFaith class. Participants will need to purchase individual copies of each book, available through Sowers Books. Videos are for in class viewing. Optimum class size is limited to 10-12 students.

For more information about the JustFaith program, visit www.justfaith.org, or email at: info@justfaith.org.

In this revolutionary new curriculum, Henry Cloud, Bill Donahue, and John Townsend establish a whole new training paradigm-one that equips leaders and groups simultaneously and gives them everything they need to start and sustain a life-changing group.

Whether you're a new or seasoned group leader, or whether your group is well-established or just getting started, this material will lead you and your group together to a remarkable new closeness and effectiveness. Designed to foster healthy group interaction and facilitate maximum growth, this innovative approach equips both group leaders and members with essential skills and values for creating and sustaining truly life-changing small groups.

Created by three group life experts, this first DVD in the curriculum contains 4 sixty-minute sessions on the foundations of small groups, including:

#1- Getting Connected- God's Purpose for Small Groups
#2- Five Habits of Life Changing Small Groups
#3- Setting Ground Rules
#4- Determining Your Group's Purpose