The guidebook, designed for professionals and paraprofessionals working with disabled persons in parishes, schools, and institutions, examines issues in religious education with disabled persons. Papers focus on integration of disabled persons into the religious educational community and into the Christian community. S. Hall makes a plea for full…

Noting that over 90 percent of private child welfare agencies in the United States are church related, this book expands the rather limited professional literature on the distinctive characteristics of a church context for providing social services to children and families. The two parts of the book deal with the foundations of the church's care…

This handbook was prepared for the guidance of participants in a workshop designed to help teach Greek Orthodox lay persons the basic elements for creating religious retreats. Part 1 of this document teach Greek Orthodox lay persons the basic elements for creating religious retreats. Part 1 of this document defines the meanings of the terms…

This booklet describes the refugee resettlement activities of Church World Service (CWS), and explains the process of refugee sponsorship that constitute a major CWS concern. CWS is a cooperative organization of churches that serve as the relief and development arm of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. The booklet reviews the…

Explores the problems associated with being a church school teacher, stating that they are often overlooked, taken for granted, and given minimal help in carrying out their tasks. Reports on the interviews of 19 Presbyterian church school teachers and makes suggestions for future research. Suggests more support of church school teachers to make…

In 1996, the Council of Bishops called upon the United Methodist Church to reshape its mission in response to the crisis among children and the impoverished within the primary goal of evangelization. As one response to the Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty, congregations may undertake specific actions to make their churches more…

This four-part booklet provides guidance for clergy members interested in establishing or maintaining cooperative relations with local community colleges. Part I presents a metaphorical rationale for these relations; discourages an overemphasis on "presence ministries"; presents ways to initiate short-term exchanges between the college…

Seven articles address issues and concerns of parish libraries in Catholic churches. Topics discussed include the role of the pastor; budgets; video hardware and software for family faith development; strategies to be used in developing a library; promotional ideas; and resources for parish libraries, including videotapes and books. (LRW)

Designed to guide church groups interested in opening and operating day care and preschool centers, this book offers a view of such centers as extensions of the church. Contents of the volume are divided into four parts devoted to (1) getting a church early childhood education program started, (2) administering the center, (3) operating the new…

These three National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) papers focus on a project for providing early childhood education to Catholic youth. The first paper indicates problems of child care services currently provided by the churches, points out possibilities for implementing early childhood programs, and advocates that Catholic education…

This guide is intended to help church congregations develop and/or strengthen plans for children's ministries and child advocacy. Specifically the work aims to affirm children's growth, discoveries, and experiences and to provide strategies to congregations for helping children whose physical, emotional, social, economic, and educational…

This article discusses the role of organized religion in providing respite services to families of children with disabilities. Respite programs using church volunteers are seen as an opportunity for new and effective partnerships between secular service systems and the religious community. Model programs are described. (PB)

This resource packet includes information relating to the inclusion of people with disabilities in the Christian church. The first article, "Changing Attitudes, Creating Awareness," highlights several critical areas where churches can begin to understand the barriers of exclusion to people with disabilities. The following article, "Victim…

This self-study serves as a guide for churches and early childhood education programs, focusing on the relationship between a congregation and its early childhood program. A revision of an earlier self-study which was developed by a Seattle-based team of church-related early childhood professionals, the study complements the accreditation program…

Addressed to churches and child caregivers, this policy report seeks to describe in layman's language the reasons for the liability insurance crisis confronting child care providers. It defines insurance terms, shows how the industry sets insurance policies and rates, and describes policies currently being written for child care programs by…