Calvin Synod Herald, 1987 (87. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1987 / 3. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD — 5 — REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA New Curricula Readied for the United Church of Christ Bible Discovery and Discipleship Alive! are the two new curricula which will be ready for use in United Church of Christ congregations in the Fall of 1988. Introductory kits will be available in February 1988 so that congregations may select the curriculum which best suits their needs. Bible Discovery is described as being Bible-based and Christ-centered in its approach and as easily adaptable for either the closely-graded or the small broadly-graded church school. This curriculum is especially aimed at the congregation with small membership. Materials for all ages (young children through adults) will be included, as will a pastor's guide for the integration of lesson themes in worship and other congregational occasions. Bible Discovery is based on a three-year use cycle. Discipleship Alive! is an issue- and faith-oriented curriculum, with basic biblical foundation for all courses and sessions. The resources will be usable in either a closelygraded or broadly-graded church school. The basis for the resources for all age levels is a common quarterly theme. A major component of Discipleship Alive! will be a strong leadership focus for equipping teachers and pastors. The purpose of the curriculum is to help people and the church to respond faithfully to God's call to active discipleship in the world. That response is understood to involve personal life experience, the church's experience of life and witness, and the corporate experience of social responsibility. A unique feature of the new series will be denominational-specific sessions for Grades 3 through Adults, based on United Church of Christ history, tradition, faith, and practice. Current Christian Education: Shared Approaches (CE:SA) will be available for use through the summer quarter of 1988 but not thereafter. The new curricula build on the rich tradition of CE:SA and almost a decade of ecumenical cooperation in the development of curricula. 1986 UCC BASIC SUPPORT Gifts Up, But at Slower Rate UCC members gave about $29.67 million in “basic support” to Our Church’s Wider Mission in 1986, an increase of 4.34% ($1.23 million) over 1985 giving, according to the annual report of receipts from Charles H. Lockyear, director of finance and treasurer. The increase was lower than that of 1985, when giving was up 5.27% over 1984. Of the 1986 total, the 39 conferences received 54.2% ($16 million), an increase of 5% ($771,134) over 1985. Their share of the total rose .3% in that period. The remaining 45.8% (just under $13.6 million) went to the UCC’s nine national bodies and the Executive Council, an increase of 3.5% ($462,312) over 1985. The conferences with the highest percentage increases in total giving were Pennsylvania Southeast (10.3%), Southern (9-9%), New Hampshire (9.3%), Hawaii (9.1%) and Southwest (7.3%). All but six conferences increased their giving in 1986. Leading in total dollar gains were Ohio, up by $150,044; Pennsylvania Southeast, $133,621; and Connecticut, $105,700. Raising over $1 million in basic support were Ohio, Connecticut, Massachusetts. Illinois, Penn Central, Pennsylvania Southeast. Indiana-Kentucky, Wisconsin, New York, Iowa, Missouri and Central Atlantic. The 10 special appeals offerings in 1986 totaled $6.9 million, a net decrease of almost 12.6% from the $7.9 million received in 1985. Possibly reflecting less media attention to world hunger, the biggest dollar decrease came in One Great Hour of Sharing, down from $3.26 million in 1985 to $2.97 million in 1986. a 9% loss. Among gainers were Neighbors in Need (up 5.1%. from $1.22 to $1.28 million) and Veterans of the Cross (up 13.2%. from $649,074 to $734,757). (KEEPING YOU POSTED) St. John s at Budapest JAMAICA, NEW YORK - St John’s University has announced the Fall (1987) schedule of its “College Europa" program. “College Europa” is the university's study abroad program for undergraduate students based in Budapest. It provides a full semester of study and travel, within Hungary and through a 21-day educational tour of three other nations. For the Fall 1987, these countries are Austria, Italy, and Greece. Students may enroll in 12-18 semester hours of credit selected from course offerings in a variety of disciplines. Classes are conducted in English by an outstanding faculty drawn from the top ranks of the three major universities in Budapest: Technical University, Eötvös Lorand University (Arts and Sciences), and the University of Economics. Faculty members are outstanding scholars in their respective fields and many have served as Visiting Professors at major colleges and universities in the United States. An important objective for St. John's University is to provide an educational experience through the design of “College Europa“, which emphasizes similarities and contrasts between East and West. Hungary, as an East Central European country of developing economic, political, and social contrasts, contributes significantly toward the program's and the University's goals. The educational tour component to three other countries of Europe (Italy. Austria, and Greece) completes the multi-dimensional learning experience which is “College Europa”. Financial assistance for qualified students is available. For more information, contact: Mrs. Jeanne Mallon, Assistant Director, Student Recruitment Services, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York 11439 (Tel: 718-900-6114). (HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW)
