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Way of the Child Training Event Slated for Houston

(October 12, 2006, GBOD) -- Upper Room Ministries will present a training event for a new children’s spiritual formation resource at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas, on Friday, November 3, 2006, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

The event offers preparation for leaders who will use the newly released children’s spirituality resource, The Way of the Child: Helping Children Experience God. This resource is part of Upper Room Books’ Companions in Christ® series.

A special offer of $50.00 off registration for internet registration is available. Use coupon code #7525 when registering at www.companionsinchrist.org. For more information, contact Sharon Conley, 887-899-2780 ext. 7525.

The Way of the Child helps children learn and experience spiritual practices that will lead them into a deeper awareness of God’s presence in their lives. This formational, contemplative approach helps balance the informational approach of much of traditional children’s education.

Children are inundated with noise, information, and stress. Many children are not prepared spiritually and morally to face the challenges of our fast-paced, competitive world. The Way of the Child helps children cultivate and deepen their relationship with God and learn to live with confidence and conviction.

During its development, The Way of the Child resource was tested in fourteen churches of five different denominations across the United States. The churches ranged in size from 50 to 6,000 members. Leaders in test churches have said that children responded so positively to the experience that these young participants consistently expressed that they did not want the program to end.

During the training event, leaders will be prepared to implement the program, explain it to parents, and lead groups of children. Materials available as part of The Way of the Child resource include: a Leader’s Guide and thirty-nine sessions to use with children, a resource booklet, a family booklet, a CD with songs to accompany the sessions and for families to listen to at home, and an introductory DVD.

Wynn McGregor, author of The Way of the Child, is a certified Christian educator in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has a long vocational history in Christian education. She has served both the PCUSA and United Methodist churches. Her current focus is on planning and developing programs in the local church for a progressive approach to faith development and spiritual formation for all ages.

Upper Room Ministries is an ecumenical organization that produces resources for encouraging deeper spiritual formation, including The Upper Room daily devotional guide, five other magazines, and a line of books and programs for youth and adults. More information about The Way of the Child and other Upper Room resources can be found online at www.upperroom.org.
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This article was written by Sharon Conley, Marketing Manager for Adult Spiritual Formation Resources, The Upper Room.