APRRE is a community of individuals who come together from particular religious traditions to study and deliberate on critical religious educational issues. We do so as a reflection of the religious diversity of our world. We gather out of a conviction that insights from ecumenical and interreligious perspectives enhance our understanding of the issues at the center of our work. Consequently, the theme for 1999 - "Educating for Religious Particularism and Pluralism" - speaks to the heart of who we are as APRRE.

As people of religious commitments within the larger society, we have a vested interest in the contribution which religions can make to the common good. To do so it must represent particularist religious insights within an understanding of and commitment to religious pluralism. The challenge before us is to probe the questions of educating for deep and responsible religious particularism while laying the foundation for commitment to religious pluralism.

Prof. Lee is the Director of the Rhea Hirsch School of Education, Los Angeles Campus of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of

Religion where she teaches courses in Curriculum, Organizational Development and Administration.

She has edited three books: A Congregation of Learners (with Isa Aron and Seymor Rossel), Touching the Future: Mentoring and the Jewish Professional (with Michael Zeldin), and Communities of Learning: A Vision for the Jewish Future.

In 1992 the Lilly Endowment awarded Prof. Lee and Dr. Mary Boys of Union Theological Seminary a grant to support a two-year colloquium for Catholic and Jewish educators. A second grant for the study of pluralism and particularism in religious education was made in 1996. Together Lee and Boys edited a prize-winning issue of Religious Education, "Religious Traditions in Conversation" (91:4, Fall 1996).

Prof. Lee has been honored with the Ezra Award of the Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles and the Distinguished Merit Citation of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In 1997 she was awarded the Samuel Rothberg Prize in Jewish Education by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and in January of 1999 she was given an honorary doctorate by The Jewish Theological Seminary.

Russell Moy is Assistant Professor of Christian Education at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. He did his graduate work at the Claremont School of Theology with Mary Elizabeth Moore. His interests are in multi-cultural biblical pedagogy and Asian American history. Prior to coming to the CDSP in Jan. 99, he taught at Drew for 3 and a half years. Before that he was an American Baptist pastor for six years in Sacramento.

Tom Walters is professor of religious education at Saint Meinrad School of Theology where he was academic dean for nine years. He has served as president for the Midwest Association of Theological Schools and the Association of Graduate Programs in Ministry. He is currently the Past-President of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership. His research has focused on profiling catechetical leaders and the effective-ness of parish catechetical programming in the U.S. He is currently editing a nine volume series based upon the National Certification Standards for Parish DREs specializing on theological competencies. He and his wife, Rita, are con-ducting research studies on the state of parish religious education in the U.S. for the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership. Their two most recent studies are: National Profile of Diocesan Directors of Religious Education 1998 (National Conference of Catechetical Leadership) and Catechetical Leaders: A Statistical Profile (National Catholic Educational Association, 1998). Dr. Walters received a B.A. from LaSalette Seminary, an M.A. from the University of Detroit and a M.Ed. and Ph.D. in educational psychology from Wayne State University.

A few copies of the 1999 Proceedings are still available for purchase. This year's Proceedings has been selling well among non-members looking for resources on "Generation-X" and issues of postmodernism. This year's book includes 33 papers (464 pp.), a complete outline of the program, and is bound with a laminated cover. Copies can be obtained from the APRRE office upon request and receipt of $35 (including shipping and handling). Send request and check to APRRE, 950 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA, 17603-3105, or use the order form found elsewhere in this mailing.

We also still have a very few copies of the 1997 Proceedings (282 pp., same price).

The 1998 Meeting saw 173 registrants (second highest in recent memory) enjoying both the warm Florida sunshine and stimulating sessions. The hotel facilities and service were excellent, and the plenary presentations by Kegan, Groome, and Parks were substantive, entertaining and provo-cative.

During the General Business Meeting, several important actions were taken: 1) upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and after discussion, the members voted to end our three-year experimental relation with AAR-SBL. Toronto was chosen as next year's site. We will begin planning meeting sites and dates for a three year period ahead. 2) At the urging of President Tom Groome, members voted to approve a special fund-raising appeal to increase the amount available in the travel fund to support travel to APRRE meetings for younger members and students. 3) Members also voted a membership dues increase to $55 for members and Associate members, and $25 retired and student members. This is the first increase in dues in over ten years. 4) The Executive Committee had conducted an evaluation of the performance of the Executive Secretary, and with some recommendations, advised an extension for another three-year term. It was so voted by the members. 5) Members voted in the new slate of officers: Jack Seymour as Vice-President (to plan the Annual Meeting for 2000), and the Class of 2001: Russell Moy, Thomas Walters and Lynne Westfield.

Memorials and Retirements were said for Robert Conrad, Helen Goggin, Don Joy, Stuart McLean, Cy Rowell and Nelle Slater.

The June 1999 APRRE Newsletter will include news of the scholarly and professional activities of current (paid-up) members. Let me know what you are up to.

Please communicate your news to the Executive Secretary. If you are on-line, please use e-mail (cfmelchert@desupernet.net) or send by fax (717-295-4740). This will make it possible to transfer and edit material without complete re-typoing. If necessary, mail the information to: APRRE, 950 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603-3105 (USA)

APRRE’s web page is located on the Internet: http://rglitch.bibl.anderson.edu./aprre/aprrehome.html There you will find a statement about APRRE, information about membership, about last year’s Annual Meeting, including minutes for the Business Meeting, past Newsletters, and plans for the coming Annual Meeting.

NEW APRRE FAX NUMBER

Members should make note of a change in the APRRE fax number. The new number is: (717) 295-4740.

The response to President Groome's appeal for tax-deductible contributions to the APRRE Travel Fund has been generous. As Dr. Groome noted in his letter, with our separation from AAR/SBL, it is especially important that we find ways to encourage younger members and students who will find more than one meeting a year a financial burden. A contribution "is a wise investment" on the part of APRRE members.

If you have not yet responded, consider this a reminder! (There will be more as the year goes along!)

Please be generous!

Already we have had contributions from over 40 members, including some anonymous donors.

At this writing we have already received over $2300. Many of you have not yet had time to mail your contribution, but be assured I shall be happy to receive it. We look forward to undergirding the support of our younger colleagues in this manner.

Curriculum Editor
Christian Board of Publication, the publishing house for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), invites recommendations and applications for the position of editor in its Congregational Ministries Department (curriculum and congregational program resource development). Deadline is June 1, 1999, but CBP will be open to candidates until an appointment has been made.

Qualifications: Experience in Christian education in congregations, education/communication studies, master of divinity degree or its equivalent. Knowledge of/aptitude for production of curriculum resources (writing, editing, communication, teamwork), a positive reputation among Christian educators, significant involvement in education beyond the local congregation, and an ecumenical outlook would be advantageous characteristics for this position.

Equal opportunity: Women and persons of color are urged to apply.

Contact: Patrice L. Rosner, Vice President and Director, Congregational Ministries Department, PO Box 179, St. Louis, MO 63166-0179; phone (314) 231-8500, ext. 345; fax (213) 231-2027; email prosner@cbp21.com.

ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSOR AND RESEARCHERS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Triumph Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
October 15-17, 1999

DOCTORAL RESEARCH FORUM APPLICATION

APRRE sponsors Doctoral Forums within which students can share their emerging research with other APRRE members, and engage in constructive, critical conversation about that research. It is our hope that this will allow established scholars to learn of new lines of inquiry as well as offer suggestions, while all students may benefit from observing others at different stages in the scholarly journey. Since students have already been screened by their own faculty, the primary criteria for selection of presenters will be diversity of research areas and constraints of time and space within the program.

Doctoral Students who are in the process of writing a dissertation or who have recently completed one, are invited to share that research with the APRRE membership in a Doctoral Research Forum, which will be scheduled alongside other research formats. This 90 minute format will allow up to four students to offer both a brief presentation of their research and engage in conversation about it with student colleagues and with interested senior scholars. It is hoped that such conversation might continue outside the formally designated time period as well.

Applications should include a 1-2 page proposal with a supporting letter from the primary advisor. This supporting letter should verify that this proposal has been accepted by the institution, and briefly comment upon the readiness of the student for the chosen form of presentation.

Proposals for participation in Doctoral Research Forums must be submitted to the Executive Secretary Dr. C. F. Melchert by June 1, 1999. The proposals selected will be notified by June 15, 1999. Submissions may be made via e-mail, fax or by postal service, to APRRE, 950 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603-3105; or to cfmelchert@desupernet.net; or via fax at (717) 295-4740.