My Baptism Book aims to help children understand one of the most important days of a child's life. It is a beautiful personal reminder of this special day and one that a child can return to again and again. It can be used by adults and children together, or in more formal baptism preparation and includes a number of inspiring ideas on ways to use the material creatively. This is an ideal gift for children aged 3+.

For more than 2,000 years, between 1500 BCE and 600 CE, the Egyptian processional oracle was one of the main points of contact between temple-based religion and the general population. In a public ceremony, a god would indicate its will or answer questions through the movements of a portable cult statue borne by priests or important members of the community. The Egyptian Oracle Project is an interactive performance that adapts this ceremony to serve as the basis for a mixed-reality educational experience for children and young adults, using both virtual reality and live performance. The scene is set in a virtual Egyptian temple projected onto a wall. An oracle led by a high priest avatar (controlled by a live human puppeteer) is brought into the presence of a live audience, who act in the role of the Egyptian populace. Through the mediation of an actress, the audience interacts with the avatar, recreating the event. The series of carefully focused essays in this book provides vital background to this path-breaking project in three sections. After a brief introduction to educational theatre and virtual reality, the first section describes the ancient ceremony and its development, along with cross-cultural connections. Then the development of the script and its performance in the context of mixed-reality and educational theatre are examined. The final set of essays describes the virtual temple setting in more detail and explores the wider implications of this project for virtual heritage.

This study examines theological dissertations by international students accepted by major Austrian universities and shows that academic incompetence, plagiarism, and negligent supervision are seriously damaging theological institutions - in Europe and abroad. Some Catholic priests from developing countries receive theological doctorates in Austria by submitting substandard dissertations. Overwhelmed by culture shock and lacking proper academic guidance, these students resort to copying and manipulating data. Many go on to become church leaders at home. This study addresses the damage done by deficient dissertations.

The death of a grandparent is often a child's first encounter with grief. Why did this happen? What should I do? How do I feel? When a Grandparent Dies helps children to participate in the process of mourning, and to overcome the awkwardness that can often accompany the traditional grieving rituals and events. Drawing on psychology and Jewish tradition, this workbook guides children from the immediacy of shiva through the entire year of mourning. For ages 7 to 13, it combines sensitive, down-to-earth guided exercises with places to write, draw, list, create, and express feelings. When a Grandparent Dies gives children and parents a unique opportunity for sharing as they come to know more about themselves, their family, and the complexities of life and death.

Experience the magic of the first Christmas in this illustrated board book, an ideal introduction to the nativity story for young children. The Christmas Story tells the tale of the first Christmas a long, long time ago, when the baby Jesus was born. The sky is filled with angels and a bright new star that tells the shepherds and the three wise men that someone very special has arrived. There's no room at the inn but Mary and Joseph, and sleeping baby Jesus, are warm and cozy in the stables. Colorful illustrations and engaging text bring this classic story to life for new readers. Little ones will love pointing out details in the pictures of Nazareth and Bethlehem, and naming all the animals in the stable where the baby Jesus was born. The Christmas Story is perfect for reading aloud during the festive season and beyond.

"Adults squirm when the big questions come up, especially the big spiritual ones. They don't want their kids to worry, so they give answers that all say one thing: 'Don't worry. It's all okay.'
"And yet the big questions still keep coming up. At every age we all need to know what life is really all about. Not just on the surface, but deep down.
"Teenagers are no exception. They deserve a spiritual life all their own. One that offers the kind of comfort we hope to give our children, but is different at the same time. More full of ideas. More mature. More fitting for the whole wide future that lies ahead.
"That's what I've tried to do in this book, as fully and as honestly as possible."
-- "Deepak Chopra"

An updated, expanded, edition of the popular textbook for student and practising teachers of religious education. It is a book for and about teaching and learning religious education in schools, which is a lively and open-ended subject, ideal for those wanting to explore how people understand the world, and how they live their lives. A wide range of religious and non-religious ways of life are explored. New to this edition are descriptions of more recent research on teaching and learning religious education from the UK, Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Australia. Also included are personal accounts written by pupils, teachers and researchers, giving voice to those learning and researching religious education in practice. As well as revising and extending every chapter of the first edition, there are brand-new chapters on: - the real lives of teachers and pupils in religious education - religious education around the world - spirituality - thinking about philosophy, truth, and religious education - ethics, rights, values and virtues - creativity and religious education. A key feature of the book is the 33 classroom activities for learners aged 7 to 18, which are also designed for use by student and practising teachers. These activities enable those studying and teaching religious education to be active researchers.

Religious Education for Jamaica 2nd Edition builds on a tried and tested approach to develop the personal, learning, and critical thinking skills students need for success in the 21st century. Updated to match the NSC syllabus, the course develops learners' understanding of religious beliefs and spiritual practices, encouraging them to make links through their own lived experiences.