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Here is your virtual library for finding support resources and ideas for your Christian formation ministries. While not books, think of this page as a shelf full of ideas at your fingertips.

Advocacy & Justice

• Children’s Defense Fund works closely with national religious leaders and organizations, state and regional bodies, and local congregations, leaders, and lay people. The National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths® Manual is a multi-faith resource for year-round child advocacy serves as a guide for you and your faith community to engage in child and family advocacy work. The manual includes resources for worship services, education programs, direct service activities, and social justice initiatives for your congregation, organization or community
• The Institute for Peace and Justice is an independent, interfaith, not-for-profit organization that creates resources, provides learning experiences, and advocates publicly for alternatives to violence and injustice at the individual, family, community, institutional and global levels. Educational materials and worship bulletins for children are among the resources published.
• Teaching Tolerance is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center that publishes a free e-newsletter, quarterly magazine and a multitude of curricula for children and youth to increase tolerance for differences, whether it be race, religion, bullying, ethnicity, sexuality or economics. The sponsor “Mix It Up at Lunch” days and other programs. Free lesson plans posted online.
• Miniature Earth provides a snapshot of the earth through images as if the world were 100 people. Great for putting in perspective the wealth that most Americans have in relationship to others in the world. A great introduction for any study of poverty, literacy, and other areas related to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Children’s Ministries

• Key Ministry Foundation has a mission to equip churches to welcome and include children and families affected by hidden disabilities in all aspects of the life of the church.
• Rhythms of Grace – Rhythms of Grace is a program developed by educators in Connecticut in response to pastoral needs of families who have children with special needs. This Sunday afternoon model involves hearing a bible story, interaction with therapeutic arts & crafts projects and the sharing of Holy Communion in a child-friendly environment. The program especially supports children on the Autism Spectrum. A book “Rhythms of Grace” offers lesson plans and ideas of how to start such a program in your congregation.
• Military Child Education Coalition is A 501 (c)(3) non-profit, world-wide organization that identifies the challenges facing the highly mobile military child, increases awareness of thes challenges in military and educational communities, and initiates and implements programs to meet the challenges. MCEC’s goal is to level the educational playing field for military children wherever they are located around the world, and to serve as a model for all highly mobile children.

Drama and Storytelling

• Friends of the Groom – Friends of the Groom is a theater group committed to proclaiming the Christian message with a unique blend of humor, story, challenging content, and scenes that are hard to forget. The group is composed of adult performers from the Cincinnati area, usually traveling in teams of three. The group is interdenominational. They are available to perform, lead workshops and entertain. Their scripts are also available for local performance.
• Network of Biblical Storytellers International – Founded by Thomas Boomershine, this is an international organization whose purpose is to communicate the sacred stories of the biblical tradition. The mission is to encourage everyone to learn and tell biblical stories. An annual conference and network of storytellers are available.

The Environment

• NCC Eco-Justice Programs (office of the National Council of Churches) provides resources to protect and restore God’s Creation, including all ministries designed to heal and defend creation, working to assure justice for all of creation and the human beings who live in it; program ideas and resources to help congregations as they engage in eco-justice.
• Images of the Social & Economic World – Roughly speaking, on a world map, the sizes of the countries of the world are in proportion to their actual sizes on the surface of the planet and their shapes are the same as their actual shapes. It’s possible, however, and sometimes very useful, to redraw the map with the sizes of countries made bigger or smaller in order to represent something of interest. Such maps are called cartograms and can be an effective and natural way of portraying geographic or social data. These maps may prove helpful in education programs that study the impact of population on the environment.
• Earth Ministry is a non-profit organization committed to engaging the Christian community in environmental stewardship, working in partnership with individuals and congregations to respond to this great moral challenge through education, individual and congregational lifestyle choices, and organizing for social change through environmental advocacy.
• Faith in Place gives religious people the tools to become good stewards of the earth by partnering with religious congregations to promote clean energy & sustainable farming. Since 1999, Faith in Place has partnered with over 500 congregations in Illinois – Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Baha’i and Unitarian. We’re also part of the national Interfaith Power & Light campaign. Its mission is to help people of faith understand that issues of ecology and economy – of care for Creation – are at the forefront of social justice.
• The Forum on Religion and Ecology highlights the important roles that religions play in constructing moral frameworks for interacting with other people and the environment. The Forum invites academic and engaged discourse on the intersection of religious studies, science, and environmental policy. Research: publishing books, articles and the World Religions and Ecology Series; organizing scholarly conferences; and expanding its network of international scholars and their work. – Education: identifying curricular resources; creating and disseminating print and video materials; and hosting workshops for teachers. – Outreach: engaging in ongoing interdisciplinary dialogues; organizing and lecturing at conferences; and participating in policy and research summits.
• Season of Creation – The four Sundays in September, just prior to the Feast of St. Francis, are now being celebrated as a Season of Creation. This website offers many ideas for liturgies, reflections and projects.
• Web of Creation – Ecology resources to transform faith communities and society. Numerous lesson plans, liturgies, and ideas for engaging in all things regarding creation, including the “Season of Creation,” Earth Day, Arbor Day, and other environmental events.

Faith & Culture (including using movies, music and art as well as issues in the news and society)

• Being (formerly “Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett”) is public radio’s weekly program about “religion, meaning, ethics, and ideas,” distributed by American Public Media. Krista takes a narrative, or first-person, approach to religious and philosophical conversation. She draws out the intersection of theology and human experience, of grand religious ideas and real life. Topics range from “Einstein and the Mind of God” to “The Spirituality of Parenting” to “Diplomacy and Religion in the 21st Century.”
• Christianity Today at the Movies – Movie reviews and study guides.
• Church Video Licensing – Most of us fast-forward right through that FBI warning at the beginning of videos and DVDs. Ever wonder what it actually says? The Federal Copyright Act of 1976 stipulates that pre-recorded videocassettes and DVDs are authorized for personal home use only. Special permission must be granted for any public performance and that includes churches. Violations can result in substantial fines, up to $30,000 per infringement. Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc. (CCLI) and Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) have partnered to create Christian Video Licensing International (CVLI) and the Church Video License, which offers blanket copyright coverage for video titles from more than 90 producers.
• Hollywood Jesus – Pop culture from a spiritual view. Reviews and discussion for movies, comic books, music, games, sports and television.
• Walden Media specializes in entertainment for the whole family. Past award-winning films include: the Chronicles of Narnia series, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Nim’s Island and Charlotte’s Web. Their website offers curriculum and study guides for a variety of movies that are family related.
• Wing Clips is a searchable database of movie clips that can be downloaded for use in preaching and teaching for non-profit usage.

Faith in Daily Life

• Faith and Work Initiative - The Princeton Faith & Work Initiative is where students, scholars, and practitioners critically reflect on the role faith plays in corporate life and leadership issues.
• The Call to Discipleship – An essay by Kathleen Henderson Staudt about everyone’s call to be a disciple might make an interesting starting point for discussion on how we live our faith out in the world.
• Alternatives for Simple Living is a non-profit organization that equips people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and create meaningful celebrations based on voluntary simplicity and a stewardship of creation. A popular resource is their annual Advent and Christmas magazine “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?”

Family Ministry & Intergenerational

• The Child and Family Institute creates and conducts family programs which nurture the growth of strong, loving, communicating families to discover and celebrate their wholeness and uniqueness. Educational programs designed for children and families are presented in a playful, nondenominational, spiritual setting. One popular program is their “Faith-Full Families” material for churches.
• Candle Press offers resources for families to use at home regarding the sacraments, vacation, and building faith practices as a family.

Interfaith and Ecumenical

• Judaism 101 – An online encyclopedia of Judaism, covering Jewish beliefs, people, places, things, language, scripture, holidays, practices and customs.
• History of Religion – How has the geography of religion evolved over the centuries, and where has it sparked wars? Our map gives us a brief history of the world’s most well-known religions: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Selected periods of inter-religious bloodshed are also highlighted. Want to see 5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds? Ready, Set, Go!
• World Peace Village is designed as an intergenerational event, one where children and parents as well as individuals walk together the path toward peace, tolerance and understanding. With its interactive elements, it has been used by churches, universities, schools, museums, conferences and retreats as a way of bringing diverse cultures together in a spirit of peace. It can be the tool to spotlight peace and tolerance in a setting where all generations can have access to its prayerful atmosphere. Whether exploring on-site, or purchasing the curriculum and materials, this is an excellent formation experience for all ages.

Multiculturalism & Diversity

• ELCA Multicultural Ministries – The website of the ELCA offers many links of resources and ideas on multicultural ministries.
• Christian Formation in a Multi-Religious Culture – Eboo Patel, founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core, and Elisabeth Kimball, director of the Center for the Ministry of Teaching at VTS, gave the Zabriskie Lectures focusing on Christian formation in a multi-religious culture. An article (with link to video) regarding these lectures from October 2009.
• The Milestones Project offers 35,000+ photographs celebrating childhood around the world all clearly tell the same story and confirm a universal truth: We are all connected. This connection is where true and believable healing begins. These photographs capture moments ranging from losing our first tooth, taking our first step, to making our first friend but they also capture the fact we are members of a single global family. The Milestones Project captures these universal landmarks of childhood on every continent.

Pastoral Care

• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) – Congress passed the VAWA to protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Despite its name, VAWA protects both men and women. VAWA created laws that make interstate domestic violence a federal offense and that enforce protective orders across state and county lines. VAWA also provides for hotlines, shelters, and other comprehensive community services to help domestic violence victims. This link is to a downloadable pdf document that explains the Act as well as links to other resources.
• Faith Trust Institute is a national, multifaith organization working to end sexual and domestic violence that provides communities and advocates with the tools and knowledge needed to address the religious and cultural issues related to abuse.
• Living with Grief: Children & Adolescents – Highlights from the 2008 Hospice Foundation of America Teleconference. Points for how children and adolescents grieve and how to help them cope with loss.
• The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. An excellent site for discovering resources to use with children and youth.

Sacraments

• The History of Confirmation – Ruth Meyers gives the first “micro lecture” from Church Divinity School of the Pacific. Video presentation.
• Baptismal Covenant and Renewal – An article by Dr. Ruth Meyers, professor of Liturgics at Church Divinity School of the Pacific regarding the importance of renewing (and understanding) the Baptismal Covenant in The Episcopal Church. Good resource for Confirmation, Reaffirmation and Reception candidates and study.

Saints

• The Website of Unknowing – This blog is all about Christian mysticism, Celtic wisdom, interfaith spirituality, the emergent conversation, and assorted other topics.
• Pioneers of the Spirit is sponsored by Trinity Wall Street (NYC) and features video of numerous saints, past and present including Augustine of Hippo, Teresa of Avila, William Blake, Hildegard of Bingen, Dante, Desmond Tutu and more.

Seasons of the Church Year

• Blessing of Animals – Many churches celebrate the Feast of St. Francis (October 6) with a Blessing of Animals. The Episcopal Diocese of Washington (DC) has a great site for liturgies, prayers and other theological resources regarding animals and pets.
• Good Friday Reflection – Good Friday brings us to our senses. Our senses come to us as we sense that in this life and in this death is our life and our death. The truth about the crucified Lord is the truth about ourselves. A Good Friday reflection is offered by Richard John Neuhaus
• Bono’s Easter Reflection – An Op-Ed piece from the New York Times written by Bono (U2) entitled, “It’s 2009, Do You Know Where Your Soul Is?”
• Season of Creation - The four Sundays in September, just prior to the Feast of St. Francis, are now being celebrated as a Season of Creation. This website offers many ideas for liturgies, reflections and projects. Also see “Environment” in this bookcase for more environmental web links and resources.
• St. Nicholas Center - St. Nicholas Center is a virtual center where people can learn about St. Nicholas; it provides resources for families, churches, and schools. If you ever wondered anything about the tradition of Santa Claus or how St. Nicholas is celebrated around the world, this is the website with all the answers and plenty of resources.

Spirituality and Prayer

• Benetvision – Encounter the deepest longings of your soul through the works of Sister Joan Chittister. She speaks of the naked truth of a spirituality that changes hearts, the gospel imperative to love one’s neighbor – ALL one’s neighbors, and the Benedictine ideal of human community that sees Christ in the stanger.
• d365 – A devotional website designed for youth, contemplative music welcomes the visitor to d365, an invitation to explore the theme of each week. Going through a series of separate pages, there is a time to pause, to reflect before moving on to listen to the day’s scripture, based on the Revised Common Lectionary. A product of Passport, Inc., this site is supported in partnership with the Presbyterian Church (USA), Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and The Episcopal Church.
• Explore Faith is a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing our beliefs and experiences with anyone seeking answers to spiritual questions and deeply committed to the ongoing spiritual formation for people of all ages and all backgrounds, living in countries around the world.
• The Golden Sufi Center is the vehicle for the work of the Naqshbandiyya-Mujaddidiyya Order of Sufism, known as the “silent Sufis” because they practice the silent meditation of the heart – God is the silent emptiness and is therefore most easily reached in silence. They also attach great importance to dreams, which they consider to be a form of guidance along the Path.
• Pray As You Go offers daily devotions downloadable for your MP3 player.
• Spiritual Directors International is a learning community committed to advancing spiritual direction around the world. Programs, publications, and practices to support spiritual direction can be found here.
• Spirituality and Practice is devoted to resources for spiritual journeys. The site’s name reflects a basic understanding: spirituality and practice are the two places where all the world’s religions and spiritual paths come together. With respect for the differences among them, we celebrate what they have in common, including 37 essential practices of the spiritual life.
• Renovare is a nonprofit Christian organization that seeks to resource, fuel, model, and advocate more intentional living and spiritual formation among Christians and those wanting a deeper connection with God. With roots in the writing of Richard Foster, it is Christian in commitment, ecumenical in breadth, and international in scope.

Stewardship

• Moonjar money boxes were created as a tool for children and families to incorporate strong financial values and practices into their daily lives. In addition to the money boxes, other resources (some free and downloadable) are available for family discussions on money and other topics.
• Over Indulgence (based on the book of the same title) has articles and links on overconsumption and consumerism. A great source for parent classes and how we can shift to healthier behavior.
• Share – Save – Spend – Nathan Dungan, author of “Prodigal Sons and Material Girls: How Not to Be Your Child’s ATM” has developed a financial literacy curriculum following his principles of saving. He is a frequent presenter in faith communities on this topic.