Essential reading for new religious educators

I'm so old school - I still like reading books. Real books, with paper pages that I have to literally turn with my hands. Books that can lie open on the table, that I can stack precariously on my desk, going higher and higher until I finally give in and put them on my crowded bookshelves.

Recently, someone asked me what did I consider essential reading material for new religious educators?

I came up with five books, then realized it is 2011, and quickly added some electronic resources, too.

I'm sure you have your own sacred texts for new religious educators - what are they?

Here are mine:

1. Essex Conversations, collected by the Essex Conversations Coordinating Committee, 2001.
It may be a decade old, but I find many of these essays to be really energizing, and challenging to the way we "always do RE." Read it and be inspired!

2. Claiming the Past, Shaping the Future: Four Eras in Liberal Religious Education, edited by Roberta M. Nelson, 2006.
Fascinating history of Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist religious education. Did you know that back in the day, many ministers pursued their M.Div. as well as earned a credential in religious education? Find out more fun trivia about our rich history of religious education innovations in this gem of a book.

3. Contemplative Youth Ministry: Practicing the Presence of Jesus, by Mark Yaconelli, 2006.
Love. This. Book. It really helped deepen my understanding of not just youth ministry, but in developing a ministry of presence with all ages. This book is just as much about faith development of your adult youth leaders as it is about building a sustainable youth ministry program.

4. What If All the Kids Are White? Anti-Bias Multicultural Education with Young Children and Families, by Louise Derman-Sparks & Patricia G. Ramsey, 2006.
Compelling read on how to work with your teachers to help them bring anti-oppression into the classroom. Lots of tips and suggestions.

 5. Nurturing Children and Youth: A Developmental Guidebook, by Tracey L. Hurd, 2005.
Quick and dirty overview of the spiritual development of children and youth. It is really easy to read, and  the lists would be ideal to use in a teacher training or to add to teacher notebooks.

And now, for a few non-book resources:

1. Michelle Richard's UU Parenting blog. She writes twice a month on pertinent issues, like how to talk to children about all the bad things happening in the world, love, and importance of being part of a religious community. She also has a great book on worship: Come into the Circle. Michelle is awesome - read her blog!

2. REACH-L. Every new religious educator needs to subscribe to the voluminous e-list, REACH-L for at least a year. Ask any religious education-related question, and within a day you will receive at least a dozen wise, practical responses from DREs in the U.S. and Canada. When I was a new DRE, this list saved my life and I learned so much. It's easy to subscribe: go to www.uua.org/lists, scroll through the alphabetical list, and follow the subscription instructions.

3. Browse the UUA Website. Learn all you can about Unitarian Universalism. Look at the online bookstore.

4. Call your District Staff! Join LREDA (Liberal Religious Educators Association)! Attend a Renaissance module!

I'm sure there are more websites, blogs, twitter feeds out there ... what did I miss that you think are essential for new religious educators?