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From Long-Time Religious Educators . . . . Back in April, 2000, Rev. Chris Fry, minister of religious education in Davis (CA), asked long-time religious educators how they have stayed in the field for so many years. Here are some of their responses (taken from the LREDA computer list). From MRE Carol A. Taylor, retired from Devon (PA): There are several basics. You have to love the work you do. You have to deeply believe in the worth of liberal religious education. You have to have immense energy. You have to love children and youth of all ages. You have to believe that change is the most basic element of living. Suggestions: Learn now how to take care of yourselves. Be patient with the process; it can be unbelievably slow. Be your own best cheerleader. Love and give time to your family all the way along the road. From MRE Midge Skwire, Cleveland (OH): Try to be involved in one denominational, one district, and one community activity or project at all times. Learn something new each year. Initiate or revitalize a program each year. Have one or two pet projects that you are excited about and responsible for each year. Teach others everything you know about running a good RE program so that it can continue after you leave. Cherish your relationships with colleagues and with the generations of families within your congregation. And from our own Chris Parker, who has been DRE in Nashua (NH) since 1985: I think you need a personality that can accept chaos as the norm. It is different when you work with volunteers than when you are paying employees. You need to give away credit for things well done and absorb the criticism when they fail without taking it too personally. I think this job has a lot of hidden obstacles, each one being a chance to grow. Sometimes I feel like I have just "survived" this job. Where do I get my support? Cluster groups, our district RE consultant, the regional LREDA meetings, RE Week on Star Island, adult RE groups, the children I work with, the teachers I work with, a church staff that is supportive, GA, training weekends, volunteering elsewhere, reading, and meditation. From Rev. Chris Fry, herself! Some things that help me a bit with the after-church conversations/contacts, etc: Remember this is part of your ministry too. Try to take a deep breath and let each person feel seen/heard even if it is for only a minute. Carry a little pad of paper with you so you can write down names and call later, if needed. Let "the line" happen; it will help make it obvious that Sunday morning after church is not a time for long conversation, unless it is urgent. Be on the lookout for what is urgent (e.g., the parent who comes in red-eyed from the services). Discourage people (especially RE folks or other church leaders) from doing "business" on this day. In other words, remember the Sabbath (and model how to do so). Ask if people can call or e-mail you later in the week when you will be able to focus more on the task they are concerned about. Set up a time once a month (we're doing it the first Sunday each month) for conversation with newcomers (and/or interested parents). We call this time RE Bagels and Conversation. It's a time where I get to sit down and meet new folks, answer questions, just be together (with a member of our Lifespan Learning Committee, who helps with the bagel aspect too). Remember, as someone said to me this morning, Sunday afternoon always comes . . . eventually.

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