2009 seems like a long way off, but it’s time to think about ordering your copies of the Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study.  Order forms have arrived in local congregations.  Discounts begin with an order of 25, but what if you only want 1 or 6 copies?  Do you need to order them at the full price ?  No!

The Presbytery Office will once again submit a bulk order.  Since we will be ordering 100 or more, we can purchase them for $5.00 per copy, including some of the postage costs.  The office pays the balance of the postage.  What a deal! 

We need to order during the month of August so I’ve set a deadline of August 1 to receive orders from congregations and individuals who will be ordering less than 100 copies.  The order forms are available on the Forms & Policies page of this website.  Click here.

“Too many web pages to wade through” is a common complaint and I agree! It’s hard to find decent sites with relevant information in formats that are accessible. You could spend ALL day looking

In an effort to help you find what you’re looking for, we’re going to start publishing an occasional Resource Round-up. Quick links to church relevant web-sites and a brief description. Please note that a link here is not an endorsement. There are nearly 8000 members in Winnebago Presbytery with a wide range of interests and so we hope to provide information and connections on a variety of topics.

Here is the first round.

Movie Clips. More and more churches are using movies or movie clips as part of their education curriculum. If you don’t know about the Presbytery’s group CVLI liscense, you can read more about that here. Below are some of the places you can go to download clips.

HollywoodJesus.com ~ Pop Culture from a spiritual point of view. Looking for sermon illustrations? movies for the youth group? A film for family movie night?

Wingclips.com ~ Movie clips that illustrate and inspire. Sorted on the left column by topic, these clips are available for you to search. Downloads are available for monthly fee.

SermonSpice.com ~ Give your Message some motion. With everything from conservative to progressive and hilarious to serious, these high quality videos may be just the thing you need.

Other sites of interest

albanlearning.org ~ Alban’s new blog on the topic of transforming congregational leaders. Posts on education events, relevant research and

ymilive - the social networking site for youth by the Presbyterian Church (USA) - it’s like Facebook but it’s Presbyterian!

When Religion Meets New Media - the blog of Heidi Campbell

And finally, click on over to our own Stephen Wright’s new blog at the Wausau Daily Herald

Every church in Winnebago Presbytery has a CVLI license which allows congregations to use and show videos. Whether it’s for a youth lock-in, a Sunday school class, an adult education hour or a movie clip during a sermon, the CVLI license gives permission to use copyrighted material.

CVLI is now providing a new service to its members. Each congregation should have received a letter with the following information:

As I am sure you are aware, CVLI has been involved in an on-line illustration and Movie Scene download service called ScreenVue. ScreenVue has committed to a large expansion of its service and, effective immediately, CVLI is proud to give a complimentary standard membership to every CVLI Member Licensee.

The standard membership provides free access to over 1,200 illustration ideas on ScreenVue.com from major movies that you rent or purchase. Each scene idea includes a movie summary, scene summary, themes, scripture references, plus valuable insights and suggestion for using a scene effectively.

It’s a GREAT research tool, designed to work hand-in-hand with your CVLI License, helping you find that perfect movie illustration to enhance next Sunday’s sermon or class!

The letter you received gives log-on instructions and your individual license number. Because we purchase a group license for the Presbytery, this service is free for every congregation. (The standard membership does not allow you to download clips however, downloading privileges are available for $34.95/year.)

Can’t find your letter - call Member Services at 888.302.6020

POAMN is the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network, a network of persons who are engaged in ministry with older adults. These people work in presbyteries and synods, they are leaders in congregations, and some serve in specialized ministries such as chaplains in care facilities and presbytery staff who are involved with older adult ministry committees. POAMN is related to the Congregational Ministries Division, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  Learn more about the network here.

“Leaving a Living Legacy” is the theme for the  2008 annual conference scheduled April 22-25, 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Registration Brochure here.  Partial scholarships are available from POAMN for first time attendees.  See brochure for details.

Who should you consider attending?

Enjoy this opportunity to interact with other professionals and lay people working in Older Adult Ministry all across the country. You’ll go away feeling renewed, refreshed and motivated as you learn to leave a living legacy for your family, your church, your community and your world! This conference is geared for leaders in the church, lay people with a heart for ministry to and with Older Adults, as well as community and church members who are interested in leaving a living legacy.

Well, maybe it is a little early for most of us, but for clergy types and Christian educators it’s not!

Be sure to check out the January issue of the Resource Connection here.  Lots of ideas for Lent and Easter.