Subject: Stoke the Fire with New Resources for a New Year! Sent: Thu 1/12/2017 2:13 PM

Iowa Religious Media Services
eNews / January 2017

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Where in the World is the Executive Director
January 24 - Disciples Ministers Institute,
Christian Conference Center, Newton, - display
February 7 - IRMS Preview Committee,
Iowa Religious Media Services
February 15 - IRMS Annual Meeting and
Board of Directors Meeting, Iowa United Methodist Church Conference Center

/ FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As you settle into the New Year, you are probably looking for some new resources to "stoke the fire." In this eNews, we feature a list of small group studies and shorter documentaries selected at the November Preview Committee Meeting, plus several selections that are New to IRMS from the Lutheran Resource Center. These diverse resources range from poets and saints to divine violence; from the latest study by Adam Hamilton to an opiate addiction warning from the FBI; from an explanation of fundamentalism to Biblical travels with Rick Steves; from the voices of Muslim women to the newest study by Beth Moore.
Our Resources in Use section looks at how one multi-cultural, multi-racial Sunday school found resources to meet the needs of their diverse children in our rapidly changing world. In the streaming video department, you may preview the first selection from our newly acquired film clip library. We will feature a different clip in each 2017eNews! Finally in Meeting the Challenge, we highlight some resources to energize your women's study groups.
There is a lot happening at your resource center in the New Year! Make a resolution to "stoke the fire" by trying at least one new resource this month!
Sharon


Featured Resources: New Resources for a New Year
Creed: What Christians Believe and Why (DV1498)(NEW)ties the needs of our changing culture to the historic faith of the church in this easy-to-understand six-session study. Broadly outlining the theological issues found in the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, Adam Hamilton explores not only what Christians believe, but why it matters. (Young Adult-Adult)
Poets & Saints: A Community Experience (KT364)(NEW) invites us to take a holistic seven-week journey through the history of Christianity by exploring the lives, wisdom, and worship of saints, poets, and "ordinary" Christ-followers. Using literary teaching, a visual travel memoir, and worship music, this study echoes the words of the poets and saints including C.S. Lewis, John Newton, Saint Francis, William Cowper, George MacDonald, and many others. (Young Adult-Adult)
Violence Divine: Overcoming the Bible's Betrayal of Its Non-Violent God (DV1501) (NEW)is an intellectually challenging eight-session video study featuring one of the world's foremost historical Jesus scholars, John Dominic Crossan. Looking at the greatest of Christian treasons - that everlasting peace can only be achieved through the onslaught of divine violence - Crossan asserts that charity is simply a band aid for injustice. (Adult)
When God Left the Building: The Exodus of America's Faithful and What's Next...The Revealing Documentary (DV1504)(NEW) explores the disconnection between the church world and the real world. Sharing stories of a congregation whose attendance has plunged, how young adults feel about the church, and new forms of church that are thriving, this 78-minute documentary by Thom Schultz offers hope in its refreshing glimpse into the future of faith in America, as the church learns to step outside its doors. (Sr. High-Adult)
Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opiate Addict (DV1503)(NEW) is a stark, graphic, 49-minute documentary created by the FBI in an effort to help educate students and young adults about the dangers of opioid addiction. Says FBI Director James Comey, "This film may be difficult to watch, but we hope it educates our students and young adults about the tragic consequences that come with abusing these drugs." WARNING: If you plan to show this to students, parents should view it first. Parents may wish to filter this raw and real information for younger viewers. (Sr. High-Adult)
New from the Lutheran Resource Center:
Understanding Fundamentalism (DV1500)(NEW) unpacks the use of the term "evangelical," and touches on the unique roles played by Pentecostal and African American churches in the story of fundamentalism.This 36-minute film helps viewers better understand the story behind the rise of fundamentalism and the later evangelical movement, so that Christians, liberal and conservative, may find ways to open doors of dialogue and ecumenical fellowship. (Adult)
Faithful Travel with Rick Steves (DV1472)(NEW) is an engaging soliloquy detailing Steves' personal philosophy and theology about the nature of faithful travel. This disc includes four 45-minute episodes: Opening the Door to Luther shot on location in Germany, The Life of Apostle Paul taped in the eastern Mediterranean, Weaving a Global Neighborhood taped in Papua New Guinea, and In the City for Good taped in South Central Los Angeles. NOTE: The Life of Paul with Rick Steves (DV1474)(NEW), shot on location in Antioch, Tarsus, Perga, Lystra and Iconium, isalso available as a separate check-out. (Adult)
The Life of Apostle Peter with Rick Steves (DV1473)(NEW) provides a 30-minute narrative, supplemented with art, showing the places where the Apostle lived, worked and died. Steves shares the remarkable story of Peter, an ordinary businessman who became one of Christianity's most influential figures. (Adult)
A New Feature for the New Year
A Monthly Video Clip
Beginning this month, each issue of the IRMS eNewswill include a video clip designed to challenge, inspire, motivate or even suggest an idea for further development.
We invite you to copy the link and password associated with it and use this clip to start a meeting, inspire a Sunday school class or church event or for your own personal inspiration as you focus your thinking on being a better person in 2017. We hope you enjoy each one!
Our January offering challenges you to soar to new heights as you begin your new year.
Learn To Soar
Password = 22DGFAE596
MEETING THE CHALLENGE:
Q: We are expanding our women's ministry and would like to start the New Year with new resources. Does IRMS have any suggestions that will ensure engaging topics with a broad appeal?
A: IRMS recently added three new resources that encourage us to embrace the beauty of Christ's love, to overcome the fears that feed our insecurities, and to love one another. We also have a number of classic resources to engage your group. You may always contact us (515/277-2920) or for additional suggestions!
Voices of Muslim Women from the US South (DV1505) (NEW) examines how Muslim women are able to carve a space in a culture that thinks of Muslims as terrorists and Muslim women as backward. Filmmakers MahaMarouan and Rachel Raimist explore this dichotomy through the lens of five University of Alabama Muslim Students. (Jr. High-Adult)
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely (DV1502)(NEW) helps women explore the roots of rejection through scenes filmed in the Holy Land. Through six sessions, with touching vulnerability, LysaTerKeurst encourages women to uncover the lies we believe as a result of feeling rejected and the truth about who God is, who we are, and what it looks like to live loved. (Adult)
Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy (KT365)(NEW)is the latest offering from popular presenter, Beth Moore. In this six-week study, Moore asserts that women are meant to take the journey of faith by living the gospel out loud and sharing it with others. Moore shares much personal testimony while encouraging others to pour themselves into future generations just as Paul once mentored Timothy. (Adult)
IOWA RELIGIOUS MEDIA SERVICES is an ecumenical multi-media resource center and lending library supported by six mainline denominations in Iowa and the Upper Midwest.