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Have you told families how to use the Gather ’Round Winter Talkabout?
This quarter’s Talkabout, on the theme of "Salt and Light," has two
sides. For Advent, there’s a Christmas tree with ornaments: scratch off
the gold surface to reveal questions and suggestions for reflecting on
the weekly Bible themes. After Advent, turn the Talkabout inside out for
more ideas to promote family faith talk! Encourage parents to use the
Talkabout with their children as often as they are able. Find an image
of the Winter Talkabout at
www.gatherround.org/thetalkabout.html
.
In addition to the Talkabout, be sure your outreach team knows about
Gather ’Round’s other church-home resources. CONNECT, the quarterly
guide for parents and caregivers, involves adults in Gather ’Round
learning. It’s designed for groups, but also a valuable resource for
individuals. Along with weekly Bible study sessions, CONNECT offers
daily devotions for parents on the weekly Bible themes. See a sample
online every day at
www.gatherround.org
. Ask your pastor and other
church leaders to find ways to share these resources with all adults,
including visitors and newcomers.
Coming for Summer 2008: New supplemental resources for junior or senior high youth! These materials will include connecting and
responding ideas and a reproducible handout for each session, adaptable to either age level. Alert your youth leaders, and watch for details and pricing information
coming soon.
You’re invited to evaluate! The Gather ’Round project team greatly appreciates your feedback and insight as we shape future quarters of
curriculum. Look for an evaluation form at the back of each teacher’s guide, and online at
www.gatherround.org/evaluationform.html. Forward
this link to teachers in your congregation, and remind them to turn in
evaluations for Fall 2007 if they have not yet done so. Thank you for your time and help.
Some Gather ’Round teachers find it useful to have materials from two or more age groups, as they seek to meet the varying needs of children. Check with your teachers regularly, and consider ordering extra student
books and teacher’s guides if you are not sure which materials will work best for certain children.
Need some Christian education inspiration? In addition to providing practical tips, ROUNDABOUT--the quarterly newsletter for Gather ’Round
leaders--is a great way to encourage teachers, pastors, and other leaders as they minister to others through the Gather ’Round curriculum.
Look for it in your Sunday school and church mailings, or find a PDF online at
www.gatherround.org/roundabout.html
. Photocopy and distribute ROUNDABOUT each quarter.
Check the Gather ’Round HANDBOOK for a complete overview of the Gather ’Round curriculum plan, as well as articles and tips about many aspects
of Christian education. The HANDBOOK is recommended for all church leaders, Christian educators, and pastors. Order extra copies, and share
them broadly. Find a table of contents for the HANDBOOK at
www.gatherround.org/handbook.html
.
Are you aware of nearby congregations that are evaluating Bible
curriculum and might like to know about Gather ’Round? If so, let us
know by replying to this e-mail and we will be happy to get in touch
with them.
*************************
Gather ’Round is a Bible-based curriculum nurturing children, youth, and
adults in becoming followers of Jesus as people who know and love God,
interpret God’s word, belong to God’s gathered community, and share
God’s good news. It is a joint project of Brethren Press (Church of the
Brethren) and Mennonite Publishing Network (Mennonite Church USA and
Mennonite Church Canada).
Order Gather ’Round from your denominational publisher or at
www.gatherround.org.
