Sharing God's Love with People Who Have Cognitive Impairments
This is a newsletter from Friendship Ministries, an ecumenical group that focuses on “Sharing God's Love with People Who Have Cognitive Impairments.” Sign-up for their e-newsletter here.friendship@friendship.org

Sunday School Software For those of you utilizing computers in your Christian education ministries on a regular basis, OR For those of you who have tinkered with computer programs occasionally as a part of your CE ministries, OR For those of you who have thought about it but never taken the leap for using computers in CE… Here’s the latest from the “guru” of computer applications in Christian education – Neil McQueen! http://www.sundaysoftware.com/index.htm

Stories for Survivors
The GBOD has launched an online resource called Stories for Survivors, a series of Bible stories designed for survivors of disaster. The Stories for Survivors resource was initiated through a collaboration between the General Board of Discipleship (Kwasi Kena, kkena@gbod.org, primary contact) and Jack, Doris, and Sam Day of Bible Storytelling, Inc.

New Ideas for Developing Strength
Rather than putting all your energy into trying to fix problems, it is better to build on the strengths that already exist in your church. This was the message heard at a day of learning sponsored by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership in Washington, DC. How can congregations develop strength in key ministries? Examples of churches that excel in caring for children and youth, building participation, and welcoming newcomers provide us with ideas. The following pages were developed by Ann Michel, Associate Director of the Lewis Center. Click below to view the handouts.
50 Ways to Build Strengths Caring for Children
50 Ways to Build Strengths Caring for Youth
50 Ways to Build Strength in Participation
50 Ways to Build Strength Welcoming New People

Resources for Children in Worship  General Board of Discipleship Web Site   Find many worship and music suggestions for year-round use at this site.

From Cokesbury Claim the Name goes multimedia! It's the latest thing-PowerPoint's, music, games, and video. Claim the Name Multimedia Teaching Tools (CD-ROM) puts sight and sound together to teach more about being United Methodist Christians. Nine slideshows present our Jewish roots, our Catholic roots, the role of women, conferencing, the role of laypersons, education, spreading the Good News, splits and mergers, and social justice. Presentations also have a different kind of game for a fun way to reinforce the learning. Three original songs teach the fruit of the Spirit, seasons of the Christian year, and the different kinds of grace in Wesleyan theology. And the ever-popular video, "Clayride: A Gallop Through United Methodist History" is also included. This multimedia resource will also be great for adult groups who want to know more about being United Methodist.

Children's Bible
At last, a real study Bible for children in the NRSV. This Bible has study tools designed for children ages 8-12.
Free Email Newsletter Subscriptions from Cokesbury (Christian Education)

Alban Institute
7315 Wisconsin Ave, Ste. 1250 West, Bethesda, MD 20814; www.alban.org This is a well respected group that offers lots of training and printed materials in areas related to church growth, visioning, conflict management, leadership, etc. 

Center for Nonprofit Management
525 NW 13th St., OKC, 73103, 405-236-8133. 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. Also offer classes for the "Certificate of Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership and Management." 

Choristers Guild
2834 W. Kingsley Rd., Garland, TX 75041-2498; 972-271-1521;
Fax: 972-840-3113; email: choristers@choristersguild.org Annual membership $48 or $20 for full time students. The Guild is a highly recommended resource group for providing instruction and support for youth and 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 Salvage Mission Free distribution of Christian literature worldwide -- you send them your old, useable curriculum material and they will send it out to locations they serve. They will, however, put you on their mailing list to solicit funds to cover the costs of all that mailing, so be forewarned. CSM, 200 Free St., PO Box 356, Fowlerville, Michigan 48836; 517-223-3193

CSS Publishing Co.
PO Box 4503, 517 S. Main St., Lima OH 45802-4503; 800-537-1030; FAX 419-228-9184; email: orders@csspub.com ; website: www.csspub.com . This group has all kinds of dramas, skits, etc., for education or worship purposes. 

Disaster Response
resources and connections particularly for children:
www.Cokesbury.com 
http://www.fema.gov/nwz01_99.htm 
www.gbgm-umc.org/umcor 

Dispute Resolution in the Faith Based Context, The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, Division of Ordained Ministry, Section of Deacons and Diaconal Ministers has initiated this area of certification for leaders in the church. It is a non-credit program that "provides a firm foundation in mediation…." The use of web-based workshops put this training within reach of anyone with an Internet hook-up. Leadership is provided through Boise State University's Non-Credit Program in Dispute Resolution. 
For information on the specific requirements for certification, contact Joaquin Garcia or Paul Van Buren at 615-340-7373; 1001 Nineteenth Ave, South, PO Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007; email jgarcia@gbhem.org or pvburen@gbhem.org ; www.gbhem.org 
For more information on class content, schedules, registration requirements, and costs contact Dr. Susan McCorkle, Office of Conflict Management Services, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725; 208-426-3829; smccork@boisestate.edu 

Ecumenical Child Care Network
8765 W. Higgins Rd, Ste 405, Chicago, IL 60631 
A national interdenominational network of persons who work from a faith perspective, advocating for early childhood care and education in churches and religious organizations throughout the country. They provide evaluation materials and guidelines for child care as well as opportunities for training.

FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Oklahoma Department of Human Services annually offers grants to child care providers for improvement of facilities and programs. Contact Sue Roberson, at 405-521-3646 for more information.

Oklahoma Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives
seeks to help connect groups with funds and funds with specifically needed services. For more information contact that office at 405-271-1742, FAX 405-271-1262, e-mail brady@health.state.ok.us , or web site www.state.ok.us/-faithlinks/ 

Did you know…The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the UMC offers three scholarship awards for deacons and diaconal ministers: 1) John Q. Schisler Awards assist graduate students in Christian education (call 615-340-7343 for more information) 2) scholarships up to $10,000 to help deacons and diaconal ministers pursuing PhD degrees (call 615-340-7371 for more information) 3) Rosalie Bentzinger Scholarship ($5000) aids PhD candidates in Christian education (call 615-340-7432 for more information)

Heifer Project International
PO Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203-8058; 800-422-0755; www.heifer.org  "…a non-profit organization that helps hungry people feed themselves, earn income and care for the environment. For over half a century, Heifer International has provided livestock and training to more than four million families around the world. Heifer has more than 300 projects in over 40 countries." Fun and worthwhile mission projects for children, families and congregations alike.

Leadership Network
2501 Cedar Springs LB-5 Ste. 200, Dallas, TX 75201; 800-765-5323; 214-969-5950; FAX 214-969-9392; www.leadnet.org  A non-profit organization that facilitates several "networks" to support growth in effective church ministries -- Large Church Network, Young Leader Network, Church Champions Network (www.churchchamps.org ). They also publish several newsletters available via mail, e-mail and fax. Check the web site for descriptions and costs. For more information you can contact Carol Childress (carol.childress@leadnet.org ) or Colleen Hager (colleen.hager@leadnet.org ). 

Leadership Training Network
A sister organization of Leadership Network that provides interactive peer learning events particularly in the area of "lay mobilization" or "gift-based team ministries. They assist in implementation through exposure to tools, assessments and skill building. Contact them through LN at the above listed locations. 

Logos Productions
6160 Carmen Ave. E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076-4422. An ecumenical team of Christian educators work through this company to produce The Whole People of God, an alternative lectionary based Sunday school curriculum for all ages that is approved by the United Methodist Church. They also publish a confirmation resource by Will Willimon, Making Disciples, and other resources for use in the church. 

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
1263 S. Highland Ave., Ste. IN, Lombard, IL 60148; 630-627-0507; e-mail Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org ; web site: www.LMPeaceCenter.org offers all kinds of training in conflict resolution and health in clergy families.

Missouri School of Religion, Center for Rural Ministry
PO Box 104685, Jefferson City, MO 65110-4685 email msrcrmkj@plnet.net web site: www.msr-crm.org  Provides information, resources, training and support for those in rural settings for ministry.

Responding to Hate at School: A Guide for Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators published by Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, AL. To get your free copy contact Teaching Tolerance, 400 Washington Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104. Or check out the web site: www.teachingtolerance.org Numerous other resources are also available.

Sunday School It's for Life!
is a joint effort of the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) of The United Methodist Church with Cokesbury/The United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH). Both organizations are committed to providing resources for congregations and their leaders, as well as leaders at all levels in The United Methodist Church that support those leaders in performing their mission.

United Methodist Committee on Relief
GBGM, UMC Room 350, NY, NY 10115; 800-554-8583. Annually publish a great resource for a Christ centered Christmas holiday, "Whose Birthday is it, Anyway?" Up to 5 copies free except for postage and handling, and a minimal cost (under $1) for more.

United Methodist Seminar Program
100 Maryland Ave., NE, Washington DC 20002; 202-488-5651; email: nchristie@umc-gbcs.org; web site: www.umc-gbcs.org Explore contemporary issues in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ through educational events offered at The United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and the Church Center for the United Nations in New York.

Visual Parables
a monthly review of films, videos and the arts as they relate to Christian education. VP, PO Box 58, Topeka, KS 66601-0058; 800-528-6522; email: robinkash@cjnetworks.com Web: www.worshipworks.com 12 issues/1 yr costs $30 in magazine, disc, email, or web journal form.

Zero to Three
734 15th St., NW, Ste. 1000, Washington, DC 20005-1013; 800-899-4301 or Web site: www.zerotothree.org  Neat resources for parents and caregivers of young children.

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