New Director of
The Society for Children's Spirituality:

Christian Perspectives

Dr. Tolbert, a conference team member and plenary speaker at the June 14-17 conference held at Concordia University in Illinois, was unanimously elected as Chair/Director of the Society for Children's Spirituality: Christian Perspectives.  Her duties are to oversee the Society, a gathering of scholars and pratitioners, as they encourage and research in the field of children's Christian formation. 

At this year's conference, Tolbert presented a paper and PowerPoint: Orphans Among Us: Evaluating the Ministry Needs of Children in Foster Care in Los Angeles.  There was a special emphasis on the needs of African American children who comprise nearly 1/3 of all children in foster/adoptive care.  Recommendations included an increase in the involvement of the Black Church to help these children.  Tolbert's own experience both as a foster-care child herself and now as an adoptive parent highlighted her presentation. 

Helena Titus, Executive Director of PowerGirls, presented her Ministry Model during that portion of the conference.  She shared the effectiveness of providing mentors for girls, teens, and young adults.   For more information, visit www.childspirituality.net