Conferences
Authentic Worship in a Changing World
A one-day leadership training seminar led by Robert Webber. Contact the Institute for Worship Studies, Box 894, Wheaton, IL 60189; 630-510-8905;
fax 630-510-0601; website:
http://members.aol.com/worshipweb
2001 Seminars
Rochester, MN, September 29
Kansas City, KS, October 6
Omaha, NE, October 13
Boulder, CO, October 20
Orlando, FL, October 27
Seattle, WA, November 10
Charleston, WV, December 1
Grand Rapids, MI, June 18-22, 2001
Planning and Leading Congregational Worship, a week-long course for credit or audit offered by Calvin Seminary and led by John Witvliet. Contact: Calvin Institute for Christian Worship;
616-957-6088;
e-mail: worship@calvin.edu;
web: www.calvin.edu/worship.
Oakland, CA, June 27-30, 2001
Worship 2001: a dynamic music & worship conference, for renewal in the local church, at the Center for Performing Arts (Holy Names College) and First Covenant Church. Leaders include Robert Webber, worship lecturer; Doug Laurence, choral music; James Meredith, handbells; Bryan Jeffery Leech, conference pastor. Contact: Grace Gunther, registrar, First Covenant Church, 4000 Redwood Road, Oakland CA 94619; (510) 531-5244.
Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) Conferences
Montreat, NC, June 17-23 and 24-30 (two identical conferences)
New Wilmington, PA July 8-13
Albuquerque, NM, July 15-20
For information on all three conferences, contact PAM, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396; 502-569-5288; fax 502-569-8465;
e-mail: pam@ctr.pcusa.org.
Wheaton, IL, July 10-14
COLAM 2001, sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and Reformed Worship. Pre-COLAM intensive seminars on July 10-11. Contact:
Susan Anderson at 630-462-0406;
e-mail: essengee@juno.com;
web: www.calvin.edu/worship;
web: www.reformedworship.org.
Independence, MO, July 15-19
Hymn Society Annual Conference. Contact: The Hymn Society, Boston University School of Theology,
745 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215-1401; 1-800-THE-HYMN; Fax: (617) 353-7322;
e-mail: hymnsoc@bu.edu;
web: www.hymnsociety.org
Grand Rapids, MI, July 22-27
Choristers Guild Summer Seminars for children’s choirs and their directors. Contact: Barbara Merry, 2834 West Kingsley Road, Garland, TX 75041-2498; 1-800-CHORIST; fax: 972-840-3113;
e-mail: BMerry@mailcg.org.
Atlanta, GA, August 1-4, 2001
2001 Festival Gathering of the Network of Biblical Storytellers: “Storyvangelism: An Invitation to a Storied Spirituality” at the Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center. Contact the Network of Biblical Storytellers. United Theological Seminary. 1810 Harvard Blvd., Dayton, OH 45406; 1-800-355-NOBS or 937-278-5127;
fax: 937-279-0848;
e-mail: nobsint@nobs.org;
web: www.nobs.org.
Wheaton, IL, October 19-20
Fourth annual Church Pianists’ Institute. Contact: Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187; www.wheaton.edu/conservatory.
NOTES
Prayers for the Persecuted Church
It is wonderful to think of Christians in the entire free world joining together to remember and pray for their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. We have been overwhelmed lately with people requesting information on how they can become involved in a tangible way with the persecuted church. There are many ways to do this. On our website we have a listing of programs that will help your readers get active on behalf of the persecuted church. The programs range from simple (collecting coats for Christians in the Ukraine who have no heat) to complex (travel overseas to meet the persecuted church). To find ideas for yourself, visit the following link: http://www.persecutedchurch.org/do/resources/programs/Programs.cfm
Note: RW is happy to pass along this note we received from the folks at Prayers for the Persecuted Church.
New Scripture Alive Dramas
Rainbow in the Clouds: The Story of Noah (40 min.)
The Triumphal Entry: The Message of Palm Sunday (20 min.)
Two more Scripture Alive dramas are available, bringing to fifteen the number of these dramatic presentations of Scripture and song for worship services. These dramas are especially appropriate for evening services. Bert Polman masterfully weaves together Old and New Testament passages to present biblical events in the broader context of all of Scripture. All the characters speak words directly from Scripture. Many of these dramas are complete worship services. Churches need purchase only one copy ($14.95 US/$21.70 CDN); photocopying for your cast is permissible. These presentations can be performed as reader’s theater or as full-fledged dramatic productions. All the music is provided as well, with information for obtaining copyright permissions.
The dramas in the series are
God Speaks, Creation Listens: The Story of Beginnings (40 min.)
Rainbow in the Clouds: The Story of Noah (40 min.)
Mother in Israel: The Story of Deborah (40 min.)
Savior of Her People: The Story of Esther (40 min.)
The Fiery Prophet: The Story of Elijah (40 min.)
Comfort Now My People: The Advent Message from Isaiah (40 min.)
God with Us: The Christmas Message from the Gospels (60 min.)
This Is My Beloved Son: The Baptism of Jesus (40 min.)
Heal Us Today: Stories of Jesus the Healer (25 min.)
The Triumphal Entry: The Message of Palm Sunday (25 min.)
Why Have You Forsaken Me? The Passion of Our Lord
According to Matthew (30 min.)
It Is Finished: The Passion of Our Lord According to John (30 min.)
Were Not Our Hearts Burning? The Emmaus Story (40 min.)
My Lord and My God: Thomas Meets the Risen Christ (30 min.)
Upon This Rock: The Story of Peter (40 min.)
To order, call Faith Alive Christian Resources published by CRC Publications at 1-800-333-8300 or order online: www.FaithAliveResources.org.
Music for Kids
Sing-Along Praise Songs: 16 praise songs for young children by Jon and Jacquelyn Negus.
Songbook $9.95US/14.95CAN; CD $13.95US/20.25CAN; Cassette $8.95US/13.00CAN
These sixteen songs were originally composed for Year 2 of Story Hour, a creative program that helps four- to six-year-olds learn about God and the stories from God’s Word. Now they’re available to anyone!
These delightful songs come with motions provided by Jacqueline Negus, a music educator for twenty years and a national professional educator for Kindermusik. Negus operates her own Kindermusik program for approximately five hundred students and is codirector of the Red Rose Children’s Choir of Lake County, Illinois. Her husband, Jon, has coproduced music for Kindermusik International; he has also recorded and arranged five children’s albums for Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois.
Worship Renewal Grants Program
Don't forget to consider applying for a grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. The deadline for entries is September 1. For more information, see RW 59, p. 46, or visit the Institute website www.calvin.edu/worship.