How to Participate - Central Plains Mennonite Conference

How to Participate

1. This program is especially geared to children ages 4 through 14. Young children who do not yet read may have the books read to them.

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The book list has been divided into three age categories. Preschool through grade two books are mostly picture books. Grade 3-5 books are for advanced beginners and deal with more complex subjects. Grade 6-8 books are longer books with even more advanced subject matter.

3. Every year, new titles are added to each age group (these are in bold print in the list). We encourage church librarians to purchase these and others on the list for their church library.*

4. Youth wishing to participate in the program should fill out the registration form in the colored brochures that were sent to your church in June for every family with children aged 4 through eighth grade, and give it to the club leader in your church. (This might be the librarian, the Christian Education chairperson, the Venture Club leader, or a specially appointed Shalom Club Leader.) The club leader will mail the forms for your church to the regional coordinator listed below. If your church does not have a club leader, the youth should mail the registration form directly to the coordinator for your state, ideally by Oct. 1.

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5. Participants read seven books from the Shalom Readers Club list between Sept. 1 and Aug. 1. Very young children may have the books read to them.

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6. After reading the seven books, each child submits a brief book report or "sharing" on any two of the books to the club leader. If the church does not have a club, a parent may act as a club leader and hear the sharing. Young readers may draw a picture or talk about the book, any age may make up a poem or song or poster about it; creativity is encouraged!

7. When a child has met the requirements, the club leader helps the child choose a book from the Shalom list as a gift book and sends a request to the coordinator for your state. The book will be mailed directly to the child or can be sent to the church club leader if a special presentation is being made. Titles prefaced by an asterisk are out of print and therefore not available as gift books. Gift books should be requested no later than August 1, since the new Shalom year begins September 1.

* We hope these books can be found in the church, local school, or public library. Should your church librarian wish to order these books, we suggest you patronize your local Christian bookstore. Books may also be available on-line. Local garage sales and thrift stores are another source. Many titles can be borrowed from public or school libraries. All books are available for check-out through the Central Plains Mennonite Conference Resource Library. We encourage churches to request these books for loan if you cannot find the selections locally. Please note that a $15 fee will be assessed for each book not returned to the SRC Library. This fee will be used to purchase replacements for lost books. Use email or postal to make a request:

Box 101, Freeman, SD 57029
Phone: (605) 925-4463

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday

Regional Coordinator for churches in CO, MT, NE, SD:
Janelle Ortman
Shalom Readers Club
44529 - 280th St.
Marion SD 57043

Regional Coordinator for churches in IA, IL, MN, WI:
Ellen K. Miller
Shalom Readers Club
2131 Grand Blvd.
Waterloo, IA 50701
ellenkmillergmail.com

Blessed are the Peacemakers.
They will be called
children of God.
Matt. 5:9