Event__________________

Conference on Ministry with Children
 "Make a Joyful Noise to the Lord"
July 22-26, 2013
Greenville, South Carolina

This event is open to teachers, leaders, pastors, children’s advocates, preschool teachers and directors, annual conference staff, and anyone who is committed to the faith formation of children. Workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities and engaging worship experiences will equip you with effective and innovative ministry ideas to use in your congregation.

For more information: General Board of Discipleship Website

Summer Camps__________________

Check here for a complete listing of Conference sponsored summer camps for Elementary age children

Safe Sanctuaries_________________

Safe Sanctuary Insights - newsletter by Re. Joy Melton

information on safety issues concerning the local church

For questions related to Safe Sanctuaries issues contact Rev. Diana Northcutt at dnorthcutt@okumc.org

Resources___________________

Faith-Based Food Programs

Information is available for implementing faith-based summer food programs at http://www.summerfood.usda.gov/ . 

A resource that may be helpful for creating healthy communities for kids is the "Toolkit for Faith-based & Neighborhood Organizations" PDF http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/Lets-Move-Toolkit-Faith-Communities.pdf . 

 Building Assets

The assets approach to ministering to young people.For more information on Building Assets for Children and Youth visit www.search-institute.org for a complete listing of the 40 Assets that are good for children and youth.

Helping Children Cope with Crisis (General Board of Discipleship)

A Resource List for Helping Children Cope with Disasters

Disability Awareness Sunday

Disability Awareness Sunday is not officially designated day on our conference calendar, but it is a Special Sunday the Book of Discipline lists among the "shalls" of observance (Para. 265.4).

United Methodist Publishing House

Children Ministries books, Sunday school curriculum, Vacation Bible School Web site

Resources___________________

Ministry With Children Newsletter

Ministry with Children is a monthly newsletter,
Produced monthly by the GBGM available here and by e-mail, which addresses topics of
concern for those engaged in ministry with children.

Children’s Defense Fund

Offers advocacy ideas and opportunities for children in the United States. Web site

Die-Cut machine resource for local churches

The Conference Children's Ministry Committee invites churches to use a Die-Cut machine. Bring your materials to create shapes for your children's programming. Read more

Oklahoma Christian Educators

Web site for the Oklahoma Chapter

General Board on Discipleship:

provides resources, training, and support for leaders of children's ministries. Web site

New Federal Lead Law

(Information for churches who re-sell children’s clothing.)

Small churches offered low-cost Sunday school program

"All-in-One Bible Fun: 13 Lessons for Busy Teachers" -curriculum for small churches to be released this August 2009. Allows teachers to plan complete lessons without having to purchase additional components that larger children's ministries need. For preschool and elementary-age children.

Children’s Sabbaths manual

The “Multi-Faith National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths Manual” is available through the Children’s Defense Fund. Children’s Sabbaths.  The manual provides worship resources, educational materials and group activities.