There's something about back-to-school that makes everyone feel the possibility of a fresh start. For students leaving behind the grades of prior semesters, becoming an A student feels like a possibility once again. Getting new school supplies is fun (at least for kids) and that new pencil box, markers, and notebooks gives the feeling of starting with a clean slate. A new window to the world is open and anything seems possible. Back-to-school can ignite these feelings in adults as well - it's almost like a mini-new year!
Back-to-school season is also a time of refocus for the church, bringing people together to start new spiritual disciplines. Christian educators create sign-up lists for classes that meet congregational context, and create hospitable environments for the Holy Spirit to flourish. Teachers prepare in study and prayer for the work that lies ahead.

"A Fresh Start," the latest multimedia bundle from United Methodist Communications, encourages congregations to look at the back-to-school season as a chance for all persons to begin anew, as a time of refocus for the church, and a way to create that hospitable environment for the faith community.

This four-week series addresses the following topics:

Week 1: Backpack Blessings: taking God with you to face fear, uncertainty and dreams
Week 2: Fitting In, or Becoming Fit: self-acceptance, peer pressure and self-worth in God
Week 3: When the Lead Breaks: dealing with disappointment
Week 4: Each Day a New Beginning: learning how to begin again

Outbound challenges are included to help the congregation take faith to the streets and show the love of Christ.

This "Fresh Start" multimedia bundle includes:

-5 Worship Videos
- Worship Slide and Bulletin Cover Graphics
-Direct Mail, Door Hangers, Newspaper and Invitation Card artwork to invite others

This is a video taped during Closing Worship Service on 6/5 at 37th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 2-June 5, 2005 at Calvin College.

This is a video taped during Friday Morning Worship service on 6/3 at 37th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 2-June 5, 2005 at Calvin College.

This is a video taped during Marking Sacred Time on 6/4 at 37th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 2-June 5, 2005 at Calvin College.

This is a video taped during Memorial Worship service on 6/3 at 37th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 2-June 5, 2005 at Calvin College.

This is a video taped during opening worship service on 6/2 at 37th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 2-June 5, 2005 at Calvin College.
West Michigan Conference, 2005.

This is a video taped during Ordination/ Commissioning Service on 6/4 at 37th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 2-June 5, 2005 at Calvin College.

This is a video taped during Saturday Morning Worship service on 6/4 at 37th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 2-June 5, 2005 at Calvin College.

This is a video taped during Sunday Morning Worship Service on 6/5 at 37th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 2-June 5, 2005 at Calvin College.

This is a video taped during Closing Worship Service on 6/4 at 38th West Michigan Annual Conference held in June 1-June 4, 2006 at Calvin College.