The Pennsylvania Christian Education Conference and the 147th Anniversary Pennsylvania State Sunday School Convention, October 23 & 24, at the First Church of God, Chambersburg, PA (Franklin CO.). The convention will feature outstanding speakers, 30 workshops, displays and much more. All pastors, Sunday school teachers and leaders, youth leaders and everyone interested in Christian education are urged to attend. For more information about the convention, contact the P.S.S.S.A.

Workshop Training Events for Teachers & Leaders.  In 2009, the P.S.S.S.A. will offer 14 different 2-1/2 hour workshops (including 4 brand new training programs). The workshops to be offered include... (brand new) "The Art of Invitation," (brand new) "Teaching Prayer in the Church," (brand new) W.D.J.D. - What Did Jesus Do? (Using Creative Methods to Teach What Jesus Did & Said." (brand new) "Shedding Light on Ministry to Boomers in the Twenty-First Century," "Sunday School Success in the Small Church," "Effective Bible Study for Excellent Bible Teaching," "Reaching & Teaching Young Adults in the 21st Century," "Overcoming the Biggest Obstacles to Sunday School Growth," "Sharpening Your Skills as a Teacher in the 21st Century Church," "Preparation for Sunday School Growth," "The Basics of Teaching in the Church," "Teaching Children in the Church," "Teaching Youth in the Church," and "Teaching as Jesus, the Master Teacher, Taught." Your church is invited to host one of these workshops for your church and community. Each workshop is presented on a "per participant" basis. The price for a single workshop is just $20.00 per person. If you would like to host two different workshops on a Saturday (one in the morning and one in the afternoon; led by the same workshop leader), the price will be just $30.00 per person. A minimum number of participants are required. For more information and to schedule a workshop at your church, please call the P.S.S.S.A. Office at 717-652-1930.

"What Every Sunday School Teacher Needs To Know" workshop on audio CD. The P.S.S.S.A.' popular "What Every Sunday School Teacher Needs To Know" workshop on the basics of teaching in the church is now available on audio CD. The workshop has a total of 24 different 12-minute (average length) workshop sessions on 4 audio CDs, plus a 74-page workbook that contains additional information, optional activities, questions to think about and more. The audio CD workshop kit is designed for use by individual teachers. Listen as you work around the house, in your car, as you walk or jog, or just about anywhere. The kits are priced at $34.95, plus $5.75 postage and handling.

Internet Web-Site. The P.S.S.S.A.'s highly rated Internet web-site contains a wealth of information about the Pennsylvania State Sunday School Association and its many programs and activities. It also contains over 300 informational articles about Sunday school, links to over 250 on-line resources and supplies, "the Sunday school store," and much, much more.

Workshops In Expanded Book Form. Two of the P.S.S.S.A.'s most popular workshops, "Steps To Sunday School Success" and "What Every Sunday School Teacher Needs To Know" are available in expanded book form for use by individuals and local churches. Both books include over 100 pages of information, ideas, resources and reproducible sheets. The books are available from the P.S.S.S.A. for just $22.95 each (plus $4.65 postage and handling).

"The Missing - Reaching & Teaching Young Adults Through the 21st Century Church" Book. One of the biggest concerns of many church and Sunday school leaders today is the lack of attendance by the 18 to 30 year-old young adults. This book looks at what today's young adults are like and what they are looking for in a church. It also looks at the 12 basic elements involved in successful young adult ministry and a variety of programs through which these elements are being combined to reach today's young adults. The spiral bound book contains 116 pages and has a laminated cover. It is priced at $15.95 plus postage and handling. To order, contact the P.S.S.S.A. Office.

Annual Summer & Fall Training Events. Again in 2009, the P.S.S.S.A. will hold THREE "Summer Training Events" across the state. The Central PA event will be held on Saturday, July 18, at St. John's United Church of Christ, Lewisburg (Union County). The Eastern PA event will be held in Berks County (exact date & location to be announced). The Southwestern PA Training Event will be held in September (exact date to be announced) at Mt. Olive E.C.N.A. Fellowship Building, Connellsville (Fayette County). Four of the P.S.S.S.A.'s newest workshops will be presented as the program at all three training events. For more information, call 717-652-1930. (By the way, we are also interested in presenting Training Event programs in other areas of the state. If your church would be interested in hosting one of these events, please contact the P.S.S.S.A.).

"e-Herald" Newsletter. Each month the P.S.S.S.A. sends an E-mail newsletter to over 2,000 individuals and churches across the state. This informative newsletter is presented in an eye-catching, colorful format that provides general information about what's happening at the Sunday School Association plus important information and resources for all Sunday school and other Christian education teachers and leaders. To receive the "e-Herald newsletter," E-mail your information to office@psssa.org. You are welcome to send the E-mail addresses of your other teachers and leaders, too.

"Celebrate September As Sunday School Month" Materials. Each year the P.S.S.S.A. urges churches to celebrate the start of the new Sunday school year by joining with hundreds of other churches across the state to "Celebrate September as Sunday School Month." Free kits are available to churches to aid them in planning their special observance. The 2009 Sunday School Month theme will be announced by late spring.

"Sunday School Stuff." This is the P.S.S.S.A.'s exclusive line of literature and promotional materials that can be used by individuals, churches, Sunday school teachers and members. Literature items available include books and special Sunday school program materials. The promotional items, which can be used to promote Sunday school attendance or as Sunday school rewards and gifts, include items ranging from car magnets, lawn signs and buttons to stadium cups, key tags and pens. Each of these items contains a popular Sunday school slogan. For a free brochure that lists all "Sunday School Stuff" items, contact the P.S.S.S.A. Office at 717-652-1930 or check out our web-site at www.SundaySchoolHelp.com.

"The Herald" Newsletter. Sharing information and ideas with teachers and leaders has always been a major concern of the P.S.S.S.A. One of the ways this information is distributed is through the Association's newsletter, "The Herald." "The Herald" contains news about Association activities plus information, resources and helps for all Christian education workers. Free subscriptions to "The Herald" are available to all interested persons. For more information, contact the P.S.S.S.A.

"The 2009 Sunday School Poster & T-Shirt Contest." Each year the Sunday School Association sponsors the statewide contest where children and youth are given the opportunity to create a traditional poster, computer generated poster or T-shirt on a special Sunday school theme. The 2009 theme is "I Invest in Jesus By..." Entries are judged at the county level with winners from the four older age groups going on to a statewide final. In counties where there is no official county contest, local churches may hold their own contest. For complete rules and information, contact the P.S.S.S.A. Office.

Service Awards & Recognitions. Each year the P.S.S.S.A. presents plaques to persons who have served as Sunday school teachers or superintendents for 50 years or more. Special recognitions are also available for persons who have had Sunday school perfect attendance and for churches that start new Sunday school classes. Contact the P.S.S.S.A. for details and for applications.

Special Speakers. P.S.S.S.A. Executive Director, Rodney Pry, and other speakers are available to come to local churches and other meetings to speak about the importance of the Bible, Christian education and the work of the Sunday School Association. Contact the P.S.S.S.A. Office at 717-652-1930 for more information.

The primary concern of the Pennsylvania State Sunday School Association is that all persons, young and old, come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and that they know His Word, the Bible, and how to apply it to their lives. We believe that Sunday school and Christian education through the church are important ways to reach these goals in the world today. By working to help promote Christian education and by educating and inspiring Sunday school and other Christian education teachers and leaders, the Pennsylvania State Sunday School Association can help YOU and YOUR church serve the Lord.

The Pennsylvania State Sunday School Association
5915 Fox Street
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: 717-652-1930
E-mail: office@psssa.org