wfn.org | New Ministry Resource For Congregations: Living Micahs Call

["Carol Fouke" <carolf@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Contact: NCC News, 212-870-2252
news@ncccusa.org; www.ncccusa.org
NCC5/31/02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW MINISTRY RESOURCE FOR CONGREGATIONS: LIVING MICAHS CALL

See Related Story: Micah 6 Churches Spiritually Enriched, Serving
Neighbors

May 30, 2002, NEW YORK CITY - Living Micahs Call, a new resource to help
local churches integrate ministries of justice, service and spiritual growth
into the entire life of the church, is now available from the National
Council of Churches.

Shaped by the experiences of the more than 30 congregations that
participated in the two-year Micah 6 Pilot Project, the 180-page manual
includes biblical and theological studies, creative new worship materials,
lessons for children and youth, discernment exercises, ideas for putting
faith into action and building new community relationships, suggestions for
working to overcome poverty, and much more.

Paired with Introducing Micah 6, the first Micah 6 program resource,
Living Micahs Call gives a full program for congregations and ecumenical
groups seeking to discern Gods calling, integrate and coordinate their
diverse ministries, and reach out beyond the walls of their churches.

The new Living Micahs Call includes:

1. Micah 6 Church stories from many of the Pilot Project churches sharing
different aspects of their experiences;
2. Discernment exercises for different committees within congregations - for
example, stewardship, Christian Education, governing boards;
3. Discernment exercises for the congregation as a whole on a wide range of
topics;
4. A separate chapter for children with Bible studies, activities, and a
full explanation of who Micah was, where he lived and what he did. Also,
children sermons and studies in the other chapters of the book;
5. Ideas for organizing Micah 6 in congregations and "good ideas" from the
Micah 6 churches;
6. Three core chapters, "Biblical and Theological Foundations,"
"Transforming Relationships" and "Putting Faith into Action," which present
theological studies, reflections on scripture and follow up activities and
exercises for congregations.
7. Many "Other Voices" which focus on everything from community assessments
to Christian Education to justice curriculum to Micah 6 and community
organizations and campus ministry. As the title suggests, these selections
were written by a rich variety of "others, not the authors of the book.
8. A new collection of Micah 6 worship materials: songs, prayers, and a
meditation entitled "Journeying with Micah's Prophecy."

"Living Micah's Call" (EJ 0197, $40.00) and "Introducing Micah 6" (EJ0196,
$5.00) can be ordered from Church World Service, PO Box 968, Elkhart, IN
43515 (800) 297-1516. Persons ordering "Living Micah"s Call" will also
receive "Introducing Micah 6."

Micah 6 is a program of the NCCs Economic Justice and Domestic Hunger
Program, and is rooted in Micah 6:8: and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.

For more information about the Micah 6 program, contact Nancy Theoharis,
National Coordinator, at 877-642-2460 (toll free) or by e-mail at
natheo@execpc.com

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