Committed to finding ways to do ministry “outside the box,” the Rev. Miriam Nicholson shared lots of creative ideas during her Storytelling workshop at the recently-held 2012 Metro D.C. Synod Assembly. One example is this Confirmation Crossword, the first in an annual series of funky ideas turned into permanent art - since 2007 enlivening the space at Messiah Lutheran Church in Elliottsburg, Penn.

In her clues, Pr. Miriam tips, “Remember YOU are also a part of the solution!” because answers are speckled with confirmands’ names. Test your knowledge with the following clues – and click on the image if you need to see a larger version of the end project / answer key. 

ACROSS
 2.  What the poor have (Job 5:16)     
 4. An old geyser in Yellowstone Park    
 6. One of the three ways you shall love the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 6:5)
 8. The most important word in this puzzle   
 9. The one who makes us free indeed (John 8:36)   
10. Gold or frankincense or myrrh      
12. A baby born in Nazareth       
15. Moses and Aaron’s sister (Exodus 15:19-21)    
17. The one who waited for the Prodigal son (Luke 15:20b)  
18. A student who wants to be first (Matthew 19:30)   

DOWN
 1. Our denomination        
 2. With 13 Down, one of the names of the Trinity   
 3. The person who leads and cares for a congregation   
 5. A student with knowledge of Christian heritage   
 7.  The plural form of the greatest gift (I Corinthians 13:13)  
10. A student who is named after an Angel    
11. A student with Pentecost colored hair     
13. See 2 Down         
14. The focus of one of the trees in the garden (Genesis 2:9)  
16. A student named after one of the Gospels 

“I am delighted to pass on some of the ‘outside the box’ ways that God has provided me for sharing the Gospel,” Pr. Miriam says with characteristic joy.

Would the kids you know read the Bible in a year if they could keep the e-reader they’re using? “If they find joy in the world of computers and e-books, let us be sure that at least a part of that ‘joy’ comes from the presence of God guiding them!” writes the Rev. Kathleen V. Price, Rector, All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Oakley, Md., of an initiative the parish is piloting.

The vestry has approved the purchase of e-book readers, complete with protective covers and the Bible installed, for distribution to students at Easter. If the student has completed reading the Bible by Easter 2013, he or she will keep the reader. Guidelines for reading and some check-in times, with questions, will be used to see that the youth are working toward their goal, according to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington (Weekly News Bulletin, 2/16/12).

“It is so important for us to help our young people build a firm foundation of faith that will help them deal with the chances and changes of our world. The Bible is a guidebook, a map for the journey of faith. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to do all that we can to show them God’s ‘ways’ and set them on the right path,” writes Pr. Price.

Want in? Pr. Price is negotiating pricing of a large order of e-readers. “I am happy to include folks that want to join in in an order – the more the merrier!” says Pr. Price of possible interest among local Lutheran congregations. Contact her at kvprice11aol.com or 301-769-4288.

Did the ”Jesus, Justice, Jazz” logo grab your eye? A free primer on how to “make your stuff look good” – like postcards, bulletin boards and Web presence – is available with Mike Sladek, the guy who designed that logo plus much more during his graphics and design career. I found Sladek’s “11 commandments” a useful summary of what he describes as easy steps to better materials – even considering his affection for the descriptive term “betterer.”

Listen to/view the recently-archived Webinar using your email address. The original Webinar took place in early December as part of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s 3rd Tuesday Conversations (3TC). (If time is tight, consider skipping over the first 5 minutes – introductory comments before the meat & potatoes discussion began.)

“Your church has a message. A message of truth, hope and purpose. But, before people in your congregation or community encounter that message, they encounter your church.

“Your job, as Communications Director, is to find the things in your church that attract people to the message and remove the things that repel them.”

How’s that for a job description?! This atypical configuration was found on a church communicator’s blog (”Kem Meyer on Less Clutter & Noise,” 7/13/06).

A few local congregations shared their working job descriptions for persons designated to vision and carry out communications tasks. Maybe they will inspire your church.

Sample 1 – Communications Director (rtf file)
Sample 2 – Director of Communications (rtf file)
Sample 3 – Director, Communications (rtf file, added 10/12)