Resource Room

Useful Links

There are many organizations, networks and individuals that support life long learning and Christian formation. Listed by category, here is your link to further ideas and websites to explore that provide helpful information and resources for your educational ministries.

• A Guide to Early Church DocumentsAn on-line encyclopedia of links to Early Church documents such as the writings of: 1. The Apostolic Fathers (Clement, Barnabas, The Didache, Polycarp, Igatius) 2. Patristic texts (Origen, Tertullian, Cyprian, Athanasius, Augustine) 3. Creeds and Canons 4. Miscellaneous Documents Helpful for adult study
• Anglicans Online is a comprehensive resource listing from A to Z regarding the Anglican Communion, including The Episcopal Church USA. The link to Christian Education and Ministries is especially helpful those involved in Christian Formation with all ages.
• Church Calendaris explained well on St. George's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA that is helpful in planning the Church School calendar, especially if using a lectionary curriculum.
• Church History: An Anglican Time LineA time line of Anglican history created by Ed Friedlander from Kansas City, Missouri from 400 CE to modern times.
• Episcopal Church Lifelong Christian FormationThe Episcopal Church Center's various offices of Lifelong Learning (children, youth, adults, seniors) offers many resources and downloadable materials.
• Episcopal Teacher- a quarterly publication of news, ideas and resources for Christian Education from Virginia Theological Seminary. All past issues are posted for downloading for free.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church's Growing in FaithThe official ELCA website that oversees Christian formation, theological education, resources and more for congregational leaders.
• King of Peace Resources from an Episcopal church of the same name in the Diocese of Georgia has some wonderful resource links and ideas for ministry with children.
• Pictorial Library of Bible Lands contains high-resolution images of biblical sites in Israel and other countries to use for teaching. The collection includes more than 4500 pictures in jpg format.
• Presbyterian Church USA Office of Spiritual FormationCoordinated through the Office of Spiritual Formation in the General Assembly offices in Louisville, and planned in cooperation with governing bodies and other church entities, the program offers opportunities for experiencing and furthering the work of the Holy Spirit in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Rather than providing a "one-size-fits-all" program, the goals of the office are: - to provide resources for spiritual growth; - to plan programs that meet specific needs in specific areas; - to promote existing programs; and - to identify and develop leadership in spiritual formation
• Puzzlemaker, from the "Discovery Channel School," can be used for developing your own word search, crossword or math puzzles. A great tool for reinforcing biblical vocabulary!
• Speaking of FaithSpeaking of Faith with Krista Tippett is public radio's weekly program about "religion, meaning, ethics, and ideas." Produced and distributed by American Public Media and currently heard on over 200 public radio stations across the U.S. and globally via the Web and podcast.
• The Catechism of the Catholic ChurchResources and documents from the US Conference of Bishops regarding education.
• The Dougy Center for Grieving Children is an organization that assists children by providing peer support and a safe place for sharing grief and healing following the death of a loved one. There are many organizations in Connecticut that are trained in this model. Find a location near you.
• The Episcopal Disability Network offers suggestions and curricula for parishes to enable each child of God regardless of the severity of his or her disability to be an integral member of the Body of Christ, to participate in the sacraments of the church, and to discern and live out his or her calling as a Christian.
• United Church of ChristThe website for education and formation in the United Church of Christ (UCC).
• United Methodist Church's "Our Faith"The United Methodist Church's national website pages that focus on faith formation.
• Will Our Faith Have Children?was the title of the 2003 National Episcopal Christian Formation Conference. This site is a compendium of bibliographies, keynote addresses, slide shows and worship.

• Beulah Enterprises is a ministry of the Children's Mission of St. Paul & St. James Church in New Haven, CT that makes available resources for imaginative spiritual play to Christian educators and Christian families.<br />
  http://www.beulahenterprises.org
• Candle Press publishes inexpensive and easy to understand booklets for the busy family with young children. Booklets help parents invite children into the awe and wonder of our faith. Materials include sacramental information as well as themes for 'taking home' to talk about.
  http://www.candlepress.com
• Center for the Ministry of Teaching The Center for the Ministry of Teaching (CMT) works to support and enrich Christian education in the Episcopal Church. Established in 1984, the CMT is part of the Institute for Christian Formation and Leadership and is located in Francis Scott Key Hall on the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia.
  http://www.vts.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=119374
• Child & Family Institute 
  http://www.cfamily.org
• Connect for Kids is an award-winning multimedia project, helps adults make their communities better places for families and children. The Web site offers a place on the Internet for adults, parents, grandparents, educators, policymakers and others who want to become more active citizens, from volunteering to voting with kids in mind.
  http://www.connectforkids.org
• Faith at Home is a site with many links devoted to talking about faith with children at home.
  http://www.faith-at-home.com
• Family Education Network was the first parenting site on the Web with many links to specific sites and content areas that serve the learning needs of parents, teachers, and kids.
  http://www.familyeducation.com/home
• Free Spirit Publishing An award-winning publisher of nonfiction materials for children and teens, parents, educators, and counselors. Free Spirit specializes in SELF-HELP FOR KIDS® and SELF-HELP FOR TEENS® materials which empower young people and promote positive self-esteem through improved social and learning skills. Free Spirit materials have been translated into languages from Spanish to Slovene.
  http://www.freespirit.com
• Fuller Youth Institute FYI's mission is to "Leverage RESEARCH into RESOURCES that ELEVATE leaders, kids, and families." Produce a newsletter, blog, resources through Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. Interesting tips and ideas for those who work with youth.
  http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/
• Institute for Peace and Justice and Families Against Violence Institute for Peace and Justice and Families Against Violence provides resources, including the Family Peace Pledge.
  http://www.ipj-ppj.org
• LACE Lutheran Association of Christian Educators
  http://www.faithfulteaching.org/
• NAECED National Association for Episcopal Christian Education Directors
  http://www.naeced.org
• NOERC National Association of Episcopal Resource Centers
  http://www.noerc.org
• Search Institute Search Institute is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities. Search Institute helps people understand what kids need to succeed and to take action based on that knowledge by: + Conducting high-quality research and evaluation that deepens knowledge of young people, what they need, and how to care for and work with them more effectively. + Providing tools, resources, and services to equip parents, educators, youth workers, policy makers, and other leaders to create a world where all young people are valued and thrive. + Collaborating with partners (foundations, corporations, schools, communities, faith-based organizations, and other systems) to broaden and deepen commitments, capacity, and effectiveness in fostering healthy development and thriving among children and adolescents.
  http://www.search-institute.org/
• Youth Worker eJournal A journal with articles appropriate for those involved in youth ministry.
  http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/salem/youthworker_20090910/#/0