http://www.echoingtheword.com Echoing the Word is an exciting resource in religious education and faith formation, providing for the Christian growth of people ministering in the faith development of children. Formative, practical, contemporary approach to catechesis. en-au Copyright 2002-2004 Pauline Electronic Publishing 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1000 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +1000 Echoing the Word http://www.echoingtheword.com/images/logo_news.jpg http://www.echoingtheword.com info@echoingtheword.com (Joanna Coleiro, fsp) Editorial http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=870 Sr Joanna Coleiro, fsp
The United Nations gave two core themes to its 2010 International Year: both Biodiversity and the Rapproachment of Cultures. The destruction of our earth through the loss of biodiversity is very much the issue of our times but likewise, so is the importance of growing respect and understanding among world cultures of the differences and giftedness between them. These two themes easily come together for Christians as we acknowledge and celebrate the diversity within our own Christian community. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Watermark) Featured Articles http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=859 This issue's feature article reflects on the why biodiversity is a core theme of the United Nation's 2010 International Year and our impact as human beings on increasing biodiversity loss. An insightful interview with Professor Lesley Hughes from Macquarie University's Department of Biological Sciences asks the question of how we can redress the imbalance of biodiversity loss. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Erin Wedge) Scripture http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=856 Erin Wedge looks to St Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians to explore the importance that diversity has always had in the life of the Christian community. St Paul identified the need for the Christian community to remain unified despite the diversity within it, but also affirmed the very importance and complementarity of diversity to the unity of the community. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Jan Grajczonek) Reviews & Resources http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=867 Jan Grajczonek reviews three books in the 2010 shortlist by the Children’s Book Council of Australia: Bear & Chook by the Sea, Isabella’s Garden and Fox and Fine Feathers. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Paul Taouk) Reviews & Resources http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=868 Paul Taouk reviews three useful resources for the religion class: LearningLinks to the Prophets, God Is and em>Prayer Strategies: A Teacher’s Manual Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Tony Densley) Theology http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=855 Tony Densley reflects on the reality of diversity within the Christian community from its earliest beginnings. He identifies the diversity within the Australian Church as a reflection of Australian society, in itself a microcosm of a multi-cultural world. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Jennifer Callanan) Liturgies & Activities http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=864 Jennifer Callanan highlights some Catholic resources for the Year of Biodiversity and offers a classroom ritual which could be used as part of a unit of work. The ritual invites students reflect on the human impact on biodiversity loss and how God has entrusted the care of the Earth into our hands. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Clare Horan) Liturgies & Activities http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=863 In this valuable activity Clare Horan invites students to explore the issues surrounding homelessness and the importance of a place to call 'home'. Starting from Matthew 25:31-40, Clare invites students to reflect on how they are challenged by the Gospel to think and act differently towards homeless people and homelessness. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Anne Victor) Liturgies & Activities http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=869 Anne Victor's black-line master for early years' students looks at the different ways that people in our community care for the earth. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Beth Nolen) Liturgies & Activities http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=866 Beth Nolen's black-line master begins from the foundation of the Christian Story and asks students to illustrate the care that Aboriginal people have shown to the earth for thousands of years. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Beth Nolen) Liturgies & Activities http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=865 In this black-line master, Beth Nolen asks young students to explore Australia's cultural diversity and the gifts it has given to Australia. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Ann Maree Whenman) For the Catechist http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=857 Ann Maree Whenman looks at the attitudes of good Christian community and the diversity of gifts that enable it to florish and witness to Christ in the wider community. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Ann Maree Whenman) For the Catechist http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=858 Anne Maree Whenman offers new catechists tips on how to become effective story-tellers. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Jan Epstein) Movies http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=860 Jan Epstein reviews Nanny McPhee drawing out themes that can be explored with students in the classroom. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Peter Arndt) Social Justice http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=862 In this activity, Peter Arndt uses the Creation Story to explore the issues and concerns of biodiversity loss. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity info@echoingtheword.com (Jan Grajczonek) Religious Literacy http://www.echoingtheword.com/member/article_view.cgi?aid=861 Jan Grajczonek looks that the important role of teacher-talk in enabling early years students to appreciate and respect religious diversity within the Catholic school setting. Vol. 9 No. 3, 2010 Celebrating Diversity