Since I've now had the opportunity to watch the new NOOMA movie about three times on its facebook premiere, I thought this would be a good time to give a little plug on the series. The NOOMA* videos are short (ten to fifteen minute) films in which Rob Bell speaks about a particular topic, usually sitting or standing in some everyday location like a laundromat or on a bus, while actors silently portray a story that reinforces the film's theme. Each film has an accompanying book of discussion questions.

I guess sometimes you really do have to be taken out of your comfort zone in order to realize the reality of seeing a bigger picture. Today I had a lot of time to reflect on the power of prayer. I am so glad to know that I can talk to God and trust Him with everything. I am glad that He is bigger than me and He is great in power and grace.

One of our students, Cori, was so moved by her experience in Chicago that she decided that she wanted to do a VBS for kids in the poorer section of our town. So in less than three weeks, she organized everything, from lining up Bible story teachers and volunteers, to developing a schedule, to getting small groups to commit to provide food, to shopping for all the supplies, to getting her friends to do everything (games, crafts, etc.). She had anywhere from 12-20 kids attend each of the four days. I couldn’t be more proud of her!
-Mike Fitzpatrick
La Croix UMC

One thing I've had to get used to at CSM is the sleeping schedules of my fellow staff members. I am a night owl, and aside from the first week or two here, I have maintained that characteristic!

Suggested Holistic Ministry Reading List:

People generally divide Chicago  into three sides: the north, south, and west sides. CSM Chicago  used to have north side and south side prayer tours that we would take our groups on the first night they arrive in the city.  Our prayer tours are driving tours where we share about the issues and struggles of inner-city life, leading groups in praying over the city. Things have changed so much on the north side, that we are no  longer doing our north side prayer tour. So this spring we created a west side prayer tour.

From the moment these 34 individuals stepped outside their vehicles with hearts and bags full, they had no idea what this week would hold.
 The first group to arrive was from Michigan, who had already come last year! As their 34 legs stepped out of the vans, you could see the twinkle in their eyes as they braced themselves for "another" week here in Toronto. They were so remarkably impacted by the people they served, the stories they heard, and the things they saw, so much that they took this programming back home to serve those in their own communities.  

This inspiring 20th anniversary gospel concert at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver B.C. is an accumulation of two decades of heart warming music and performances by the African Children’s Choir. Since arriving in Vancouver in September 1984 their incredible journey has taken them around the globe where they have exhilarated audiences every where with their message of hope and healing. The performance, featuring 60 current and former members of the African Children’s Choir, unites today’s Choir children with young adults who were members of the very first Choirs in the mid-1980s.

asin: B0007OPKRM binding: DVD list price: $20.00 USD amazon price: $20.00 USD

The Salvation Army and the Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking have partnered to invite believers worldwide to join in prayer and fasting for victims of sexual trafficking. The event will be held the weekend of September 26-28 and invites churches, para-church organizations and individuals to participate. Past participants have joined from have had participants from Macedonia, Venezuela, India, the Philippines, the United States, Canada, Mexico, the U.K., and Germany. Please visit their website to learn more.

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I am reading a book that a former staff member blessed me with called: Here and Now by Henri Nouwen. An excerpt out of the book is called "From Competition to Compassion".

"Compassion - which means, literally, 'to suffer with' - is the way to the truth that we are ourselves, not when we differ from others, but when we are the same."
....
"It is not "excelling" but "serving" that makes us most human. It is not proving ourselves to be better than others but confessing to be just like others that is the way to healing and reconciliation."