PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WORTH TAKING A LOOK AT:

This is a list of organizations related in various ways to the field of Christian education. Persons with United Methodist certification are required to be associated with several "professional organizations" that support their field. These are worth taking a look at to see if they offer something that would be beneficial to you. 
Mary Lue Eastmond

Oklahoma Christian Educators of Youth, Children, Adults

Oklahoma Christian Educators Fellowship is a group of people who are committed to the holistic development of disciples through experiences of “formation” as well as “information” --learning with both head and heart that leads to “being” and “doing” life as a faithful follower of Christ. This group was highly influential in my personal development as a Christian Educator, particularly in my early years.  Today it is a valuable network of connections that continue to be of support to me.  Key leaders of this group recognize that in these “post-modern” times, OK-CEF needs to make some changes to become more relevant and in touch with today’s church leaders who are “Christian educators” at heart but may have very different titles and job descriptions that might not even include the term.  We are convinced, however, that if you are involved in “disciple building” or “disciple formation,” we need a connection with you and that you need a connection with us.

          Please join us in this year of renovation and at our annual Annual Conference luncheon, May 30th, 2007 at St. Luke’s UMC in OKC.  I look forward to seeing you there!  PDF Flyer

After you’ve met some of the members of OK-CEF, perhaps you’ll be ready to “sign on the dotted line,” make out a check for your membership fee, and become part of the group. We hope so! Registration Form  An informational brochure you can read over to discover a little more about CEF, its purpose and activities.

For general information about OK-CEF feel free to call and visit with any of their current officers: Janet Boone, President-Elect, janet@okcgrace.org, 405-943-9683; Charlotte Teel, cteel@stlukesokc.org, 405-232-1371; Dawna Dhaenens, ddhaenens@sbcglobal.net, 405-701-3914 ; Margaret North, mnorth@ssumcba.org, 918-455-4202; Kathy Morris, kathy.morris@fumcbville.org, 918-336-3361; Kathy Coit, kcoit@sbcglobal.net.

Rev. Mary Lue Eastmond, Director of Christian Education
Oklahoma Conference, United Methodist Church
405-530-2007 or 800-231-4166; mleastmond@okumc.org

Association of Curriculum Development
and Supervision

1703 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA22311-1714; 800-933-2723 or email: member@ascd.org Web site: www.ascd.org;
Annual membership fee

Association for Volunteer Administration

PO Box 32092, Richmond, VA 23294, 804-346-2266, FAX 804-346-3318,
E-mail: ava@freedomnet.com

International professional membership association for individuals working in the field of volunteer management.
Annual Basic membership fee.

The Center for Nonprofit Management

525 NW 13th, OKC, 73103, 405-236-8133 or
1120 S. Utica Ave., Tulsa, 74104, 918-579-5176.

Provides training events and workshops specifically focused on managing not-for-profit groups --like the church -- and technical skills. Does training for governing boards and can provide leadership for planning, visioning and futuring sessions.

Children's Defense Fund

25 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20001; 202-628-8787; For Children's Sabbath material: PO Box 90500, Washington, DC 20090-0500 or call 202-662-3589; www.childrensdefense.org 

Child Welfare League

440 1st NW, 3rd floor, Washington, DC 20001-2085; 202-638-4004; www.cwla.org 

Choristers Guild

2834 W. Kingsley Rd., Garland, TX 75041-2498; 972-271-1521;
Fax: 972-840-3113; email: choristers@choristersguild.org Annual membership fee. Special rate for full time students.

A highly recommended resource group for providing instruction and support for children's choir leaders especially in congregations. Regular newsletters have helpful articles as well as samples of music you can use without further ado! www.choristersguild.org

Christian Educators Fellowship
(United Methodist)

PO Box 24930, Nashville, TN 37202 
615-749-6870 or email: chedfel@cs.com
Annual membership fee- rates  for student, retired or LOA.

Christian Educators Network
 (non-denominational)

PO Box 616, Columbia, MO 65205-0616,  
573-442-1149 or email: Rruss10329@aol.com or web site www.christianeducators.net  
Annual membership fee. Special rates for  students.

Ecumenical Child Care Network

8765 W. Higgins Rd, Ste. 405, Chicago, IL 60631; 800-649-5443 or email: ECCN@juno.com Annual membership fee.

Families and Work Institute

330 7th Ave., New York City, NY 10001; 212-465-2044; www.familiesandwork.org; Annual membership fee.

Leadership Training Network

A non-profit, non-denominational group that provides training and resources on church growth and leadership development. Lots of stuff for large churches, urban churches and young leaders. Offer a free monthly sample of their work through email. Request inclusion on the list for E.QUIPPER at LTN.equipper@leadmet/prg

Several web sites to check out:
www.youngleader.org , www.churchchamp.org,  www.ltn.org,  

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center

1263 S. Highland Ave., Ste. 1N, Lombard, IL 60148-4527; 630-627-0507; web page www.LMPeaceCenter.org;  email: admin@lmpeacecenter.org

Offers training in conflict resolution, mediation, and reconciliation for people working with congregations, organizations and families (Friedman's "family emotional process").

Missouri School of Religion, Center for Rural Ministry

PO Box 104685, Jefferson City, MO 65110-4685; 800-626-5924; email: msrcrmkj@plnet.net

Provides resources and training on issues related to rural ministries.

Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy

420 NW 13th, OKC, 73103; 405-236-5437; Annual membership fee.

Web page: www.oica.org 

The Religion, Culture and Family Project

The University of Chicago Divinity School,1025 E. 58th St., Chicago, IL 60637; 773-702-9249; email family-project@uchicago.edu; web site: www.uchicago.edu/divinity/family 

Religious Education Association (inter-faith)

Taylor and Francis: ATTN: Customer Services, 325 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106; 215-269-0400 Annual membership fee Special rates for student or emeritus.

Web page: www.religiouseducation.net 

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