With hope and resilience

Music and video 

Ethics

PODCAST: Ethical considerations during the coronavirus pandemic (Episode 7)

Listen in as Joann Hunsberger interviews Rev. Dr. Joseph J. Kotva, Jr., an Anabaptist bioethicist, as they discuss some of the ethical conundrums related to patient care and provider protections during the coronavirus pandemic. Joe (a former AMBS faculty member) is ordained in the Mennonite Church and currently co-directs the ethics program at the Indiana University School of Medicine in South Bend.

Also referenced in the podcast is AMBS Sessional Faculty member Daniel Schrock, D.Min. Attention is given to considerations about holding church in the months to come.

For a better listening experience, access the podcast by searching for “MennoHealth” on your podcast app. (Added Friday, April 17, 2020)

From Beverly Lapp, Ed.D., Vice President and Academic Dean

Music and video

SONG: "On the Emmaus Road"

In response to various requests, here is a video of my "On the Emmaus Road" song that can be used in online worship. I recorded it as though I was visiting a church and teaching, singing and/or leading the song as I would in a special "children's story" time. 

I gladly give permission to use this and/or my other songs for one-time congregational worship (including zoom, live-streams, and pre-recorded and posted on YouTube). If you would like to make ongoing use of this or another song (any use beyond a one-time use), visit the Small Tall Ministries church music licenses webpage, and consider going through the simple process to acquire a "license" for your congregation. (Added Tuesday, April 21, 2020)

RedeemTV.com

I’ve been working with Christian History Institute, a small nonprofit my grandfather started that provides accessible educational resources about Christian history. Just recently, we’ve launched a free online streaming service with Christian content called RedeemTV.com. It is totally free without ads, running on a donation basis. I hope this new resource will be a blessing to you and your family if you’re looking for things to watch while at home. (Added Friday, April 17, 2020)

From Michelle Curtis, Master of Divinity 2018, originally of Lansdale, Pennsylvania

Online family singalongs

From March 20 through May 8 I did a series of 21 short online family singalong times via Facebook Live on my SmallTall Ministries Facebook page. This was meant to be an encouragement and a resource for families and communities during this "stay at home" period of the pandemic. Direct links to video of each of these singalong times are available on the STM blog (www.smalltallministries.com/blog/), and can be viewed any time, including by people who do not have a Facebook account. (Added Tuesday, March 24, 2020, updated May 22, 2020)

PLAYLIST: Songs of hope for a time of pandemic

With the coronavirus spreading and normal activities being shut down, here are some songs that we can use as prayers for the healing of those who have been affected, and to keep fear from overwhelming us. (Added Friday, March 20, 2020)

Pastoral care for the congregation

VIDEO: Mourning Our Losses Together During COVID-19: The Good News of Biblical Lament

A presentatoin for those experiencing loss and for caregivers journeying with people impacted by such realities. Explore the three-act movement of biblical lament as a faithful response to God and its use in both individual and corporate settings. (Added August 4, 2020)

VIDEO: Expanding Our Witness: Equipping Ministry for Anti-Racist Change

The church has been awakened and reawakened to racial injustice in our midst after the death of George Floyd. There is no room for racism, inequality or injustice in God’s reign. Yet ours is a broken world and people are crying out “no justice, no peace.” This Adaptive Church webinar unpacks together the work our churches have to do to bring about God’s vision of shalom. What does dismantling racism, racial justice, and “no justice, no peace” mean in our congregations? Presented on July 16, 2020. (Added Friday, June 12, 2020)

VIDEO: Pastoring from a Distance: Offering Pastoral Care while Social Distancing
Moderator: David Augsburger. Panelists: Shannon Dycus, Gilberto Flores, John Dresher Lehman, Anne Kaufman Weaver and Wanda Wagler-Martin. Presented on June 11, 2020.

At a time when many of us feel the need for increased levels of spiritual support, pastors and congregations are no longer able to practice traditional forms of face-to-face pastoral care due to COVID-19. How can we be present to each other spiritually when we are physically distant? How might we provide spiritual accompaniment for those experiencing fear, anxiety, grief, and death? In this panel discussion, Anabaptist pastors and church leaders unpack practical advice as well as theological considerations for providing pastoral care while practicing social distancing. (Added Friday, June 12, 2020)

Membership at Keller Park Church (working document)

Keller Park Church, where I am teaching pastor, is using this time without corporate gatherings to do some intentional reflection on our identity. I have created a working document on membership, and my co-pastor, worship director and I are offering daily reflections on each of our central convictions (found on page 4). Each daily reflection also serves as a way of centering ourselves on Jesus and the kingdom during this time of uncertainty. If this document can help other pastors, churches or individuals during this time, I'm happy to share it! (Added Friday, March 20, 2020)

10 guidelines for pastoral care during the coronavirus outbreak: How can we accompany people through this valley of anxiety, fear, and death?

By Eileen R. Campbell-Reed | Christian Century | posted March 10, 2020

I thought this was a good article (albeit I may be a bit biased as a pastor’s spouse). (Added Friday, March 20, 2020)

Praying

Rejoice! A Time Such As This: Reflections on COVID-19

Rejoice! daily devotional editor Leslie Hawthorne Klinger invited writers to contribute to a special edition titled A Time Such as This. Some 56 heartfelt devotionals poured in, connecting us to one another. We hope that these devotionals offer you comfort, hope, peace and prayerful reflection during this very stressful time.

This resource is entirely volunteer created and open source. If you want to use sections of it, please add, “First published in A Time Such As This, a special publication of Rejoice!, MennoMedia, March 2020.” A number of AMBS alumni contributed to this resource. (Added Friday, April 17, 2020)

From Malinda Elizabeth Berry, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics

BLOG: The Pen of My Prayers: See(k)ing solace in the everyday

I would humbly submit my blog as a resource as I continue to reflect on finding peace in the everyday, particularly during this time. (Added Monday, April 13, 2020)

VIDEO: Embodied Affirmation

Here is an embodied affirmation adapted (through many layers!) from a STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience from Eastern Mennonite University) resource that a friend of a friend learned maybe 10 years ago. The video is unlisted but is available for viewing and sharing using the video link. You can also download this written version. (Added Friday, March 27, 2020)

ZOOM: Praying the Anabaptist Prayer App together online. Meets 8:30 a.m. Central Time Monday through Friday

A group of Mennonite pastors has created the Anabaptist Prayer Project, an online gathering to say morning prayers together using the Anabaptist Prayer App. The group, which is open to anyone, meets at 8:30 a.m. Central Time Monday through Friday via Zoom (and can also be found on Facebook). Each prayer session is recorded and posted to the Anabaptist Prayer Project YouTube channel.

Asia Frye, a 2017 AMBS MDiv graduate and a minister at Mennonite Church of the Servant in Wichita, Kansas, started the project. Also providing leadership are Scott Litwiller, a 2019 AMBS MDiv graduate, and Christina Manero, co-pastors of Lorraine Avenue Mennonite Church in Wichita; and Melissa Florer-Bixler of Raleigh (North Carolina) Mennonite Church. (Added Friday, March 27, 2020)

A Prayer for Mercy

A resource for our spiritual care during these days written by Carmen Schrock-Hurst (M.A.: Theological Studies 1996) of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, March 10, 2020. (Added Monday, March 23, 2020)

Prayer for a Pandemic (A Prayer for the World’s Most Vulnerable)

My friend Rev. Anke Flohr — Executive Director of Pacific Health Ministry — sent me this prayer that we might consider making our own and sharing with others as well. Prayer by Cameron Wiggins Bellm, Ph.D. (Added Monday, March 23, 2020)

Meditation Monday — Soul Care for a Chaotic COVID 19 Filled Lent

Excellent resources for your prayer life during these days of uncertainty. (Added Monday, March 23, 2020)

APP: Anabaptist Prayer App

The free Anabaptist Prayer App from the Institute of Mennonite Studies and Herald Press provides an easy-to-use format and structure for praying individually or as a group — with prayers for all seasons of the church year. The morning and evening prayer services of Take Our Moments and Our Days are grounded in Scripture and include song suggestions and space for shared reflections on the texts. It’s available for both Apple and Android devices. (Added Friday, March 20, 2020)

Preaching

Preaching to the Screen: Sharing the Good News Online in the Age of COVID-19 

Panelists are Bruxy Cavey, Meghan Larissa Good, Lesley Francisco McClendon, Josh Meyer, Osheta Moore, Brian Quan and Allan Rudy-Froese. Presented on May 14, 2020.

Many pastors and church leaders are delivering sermons remotely for the first time, as in-person worship has become impossible due to COVID-19. How best can preachers foster meaningful encounters with the good news of Jesus, even as congregation and preacher are physically dispersed? MennoMedia’s Leader magazine is hosting a discussion with a panel of Anabaptist pastors and church leaders to unpack practical advice as well as theological considerations for effective online preaching. (Added Tuesday, May 12, 2020)

AUDIO: Preachers Deaf and Blind, Servants of God the Creator

How can leaders sustain hope among the people they serve, even as they struggle with fear, hopelessness and exhaustion? Ben Ollenburger, Ph.D., Retired Professor of Biblical Theology, speaks directly with bold encouragement to pastors and leaders — those who have unique roles as “servants of the Lord” but can feel overwhelmed and inadequate. Delivered two years ago at “For Such a Time as This,” the Pastors and Leaders 2018 conference, this message is also for a time of pandemic. (Added Friday, March 20, 2020)

AUDIO: Be Still and Know that I am God

Rebecca Slough, Ph.D., former AMBS Vice President and Academic Dean, presented “Be Still — Know I Am God,” at the Pastors and Leaders 2018 conference. Using compelling personal testimony and song, she shared the “roots” that help her to lead in times of anxiety. Songs have been removed in light of copyright restrictions, but song titles are included. (Added Friday, March 20, 2020)

Poetry

Pandemic Lament

Original poetry. Written March 20, 2020 (Added Tuesday, March 24, 2020)

T O G E T H E R • W E • C A N • S T A N D • A G A I N S T • C O V I D 1 9

Original poetry. Written March 16, 2020 (Added Friday, March 20, 2020)

Spiritual Formation

Wednesday Word: Bible Study Weekly Webinar

Join MennoMedia for LIVE Adult Bible Study classes every Wednesday in June at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Church leaders Gordon Matties, Susan Janzen and Elizabeth Soto will have conversations on “The Many Faces of Wisdom” as explored in Proverbs. While you may not be able to meet with your Adult Bible Study class in person right now, you can meet virtually with us. Great resource for teachers, too! Use this link to join; see also MennoMedia’s Facebook page. (Added Friday, June 12, 2020)

God's Story, God's Song

A home-based, all-age, flexible resource for individuals and churches who want to learn and explore the biblical story from Genesis to Revelation. There are 52 sessions in this series, making it easily applied to one year. Each session focuses on one story or story series.  

Daniel Yoder and I have been working on this resource with Jonathan Reuel. It's our church's answer to the unknowns of the coming year; it will serve as our primary method of faith formation for the year. Use it/pass it on if it is helpful for you and your ministry! (Added Tuesday, June 9, 2020)

Soul Care Conversations: Podcasts about the critical times we face

Two of our members, Jimm and Kaylene Derksen from Sunnyside, are part of a Soul Care Ministry that is providing some excellent resources for resilience in the midst of a pandemic. They were trained through the STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience) program of Eastern Mennonite University. The Derksens and their colleagues are releasing two podcasts per week (on Tuesdays and Fridays) to address the issues we each may face during these times. (Added Tuesday, April 21, 2020)

Resources for spiritual formation while keeping social distance

• Multi-Sensory Treasure Hunt from Psalm 29 — an "alternative kids church" idea

• Peditation (Walking in Meditation) on Creation

• Praying the Name exercise

• Why Can't I Hear God's Voice? — blog reflection

(Added, Monday, April 13, 2020)

From Joshua Jefferson, lead pastor at Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a friend of AMBS

“Staying Connected + Staying Safe”

In response to the pandemic, MennoMedia is sending weekly resource emails on Wednesdays with free content for congregations. They contain:

• Adult Bible Study materials
• Rejoice! daily devotional for the week (PDF)
• Beyond Our Fears curriculum download
• Take Our Moments and Our Days weekly prayer download (PDF)
• Shine Children’s Sunday School curriculum downloads and online resources
• Other free online resources that change from week to week (such as pertinent Leader articles and free chapters from Herald Press books)

Subscribe at bit.ly/MennoSubscribe 

Also, the Rejoice! daily devotional is posted each morning on MennoMedia’s Facebook page. A free downloadable/streaming Voices Together song and prayer resource is available here.

Examen for Life During COVID-19 | Voices for Justice, Ignatian Solidarity Network

We can practice classic spiritual disciplines (like the examination of consciousness from the Ignatian Solidarity Network posted here) alone or with others either in our households or through digital technology. (Added Monday, March 23, 2020)

Trauma Resources

Resiliency in the Time of Coronavirus: A Toolkit for Leaning Into Our Anxiety and Trauma

I have compiled a toolkit addressing trauma healing and resiliency, written specifically with COVID-19 in mind. The toolkit is framed by trauma-aware peacebuilding for everyday folk, in which our pain becomes a catalyst for creating change and working for peace — drawing from a lot of things I worked on for my MA: Theology and Peace Studies degree. (Added Monday, March 30, 2020)

Worship

Call to Worship

Here is a Call to Worship that I wrote for this past Sunday when our congregation met over Zoom. (Added Monday, April 13, 2020)

Leader: Jesus taught us to love, and he said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
ALL: We are two. We are three. We are one.
Leader: Jesus healed the sick, and he said that where any number are gathered …
ALL: We are four. We are five. We are one.
Leader: Jesus called the world to work for justice.
ALL: We are thousands. We are millions. We are one.
Leader: Jesus came to show us that we are not alone.
ALL: We are together. We are connected. We are one.

From Matthew Bailey-Dick, a 2003 MA: Peace Studies graduate of Waterloo, Ontario, who attends Erb Street Mennonite in Waterloo

Holy Week and Easter Season

Good Friday Reflection 2020

I developed this reflection guide for my congregation to follow from home. It is intended to work for someone alone, a pair, or a household or family with children. People will use it any time during the day and then we’ll have communion "together" on Zoom in the evening (and share our experiences). The communion liturgy is from the March 31 Good Friday and Easter Planning AMBS webinar. (Added Tuesday, April 7, 2020)

Anabaptist Prayer Book: Alternative readings for Holy Week using John’s Gospel

These morning and evening prayer services for Holy Week — created in the style of the Anabaptist prayer book Take Our Moments and Our Days — were drafted by John D. Rempel, Th.D., Retired Professor of Theology and Anabaptist Studies and one of the prayer book editors, after the books were published. The prayer book services in the published volume use the passion narrative from Luke’s Gospel; these alternative services use the narrative from John’s Gospel. Want to print a copy? Download that version here. (Added Tuesday, April 7, 2020)

From Barbara Nelson Gingerich, A.M. in Divinity, who retired in 2018 as Managing Editor of the Institute of Mennonite Studies, AMBS’s research agency

Holy Week at Home: A Building Faith Resource

Here's a resource I created for a website I do content for. It’s free for all; use however you wish! (Added Tuesday, April 7, 2020)

Easter Season at Home: A Building Faith Resource

The Easter packet takes you from Easter through Pentecost with simple practices that are geared for all ages. Feel free to share it or use it however you find helpful. (Added Tuesday, April 14, 2020)

From Talashia Keim Yoder, an MA in Christian Formation student from Goshen, Indiana, and a pastor at College Mennonite Church in Goshen

WEBINAR: Planning Easter and Good Friday worship: Fostering meaningful interactions while physically separate

This AMBS webinar explores ways to create engagement and ritual action in online Good Friday and Easter services that encourage worshipers to connect with God and one another with their whole selves, even at a distance. (Added Tuesday, March 31, 2020)

Youth

PODCAST: Lament in the Bible (Covid Sabbath – Episode 8)

In this interview, I share about the role of lament in the Bible, how it shapes our relationship with God, and how we can use it now. Lament is about having an honest relationship with God. Three steps in Biblical Lament: 1. Cry out and complain to God. 2. Remember God's goodness in the past. 3. Praise God. Covid Sabbath is produced by Daniel Yoder, pastor of Christian formation – youth at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana, and sent to junior and senior high youth and their parents. Listen to all the episodes on Anchor. (Added Thursday, April 9, 2020)