Revitalization and renewal of that company's ability to serve Christian education and formation needs of Christian congregations has been a top priority of Davis Perkins, since becoming publisher of Church Publishing Inc. in the summer of 2007, according to a CPI news release.

Morehouse Education Resources is evidence of the seriousness of that commitment, the release said.

"In the world of Christian formation and education, one size does not fit all," said Perkins. "This new division allows us to serve the differing needs of congregations with a wide variety of curriculum products and resources from which they can choose."

Living the Good News, Godly Play, Episcopal Children's Curriculum/Episcopal Curriculum for Youth (ECC/ECY) -- formerly distributed by Morehouse Publishing -- and All Things New will now all be distributed under the Morehouse Education Resources banner. More curricula lines will be added in the future, the release said.

As a result, Christian formation and education leaders will have a one-stop shopping source for a variety of curricula lines, as well as a single access point for all Godly Play resources, according to the release.

"Lectionary-based curriculum and educational materials are vitally important to congregations," Perkins said. "We want to ensure that this key part of our publishing ministry receives the attention it deserves, enabling us to offer strong support and a range of materials to church educators."

Peter L. Velander, who joined CPI last October, now heads up Morehouse Education Resources, reporting to Perkins. Velander previously served as president and publisher of Logos Productions, Inc, a publishing company of church-related products including the lectionary-based curricula "The Whole People of God" and "The Seasons of the Spirit." He most recently served as director of e-products and ecumenical initiatives at Oregon Catholic Press.

Reporting to Velander is Christian Formation Specialist Sharon Ely Pearson, formerly the coordinator of children's ministries and Christian education for the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut. Pearson has also served as a theological education consultant to the Episcopal Church Center, an Education for Ministry Mentor, and a Christian education teacher.

"We're reaching out, consulting with Christian educators and formation specialists, talking with them about their visions and their needs," said Velander. "We're also supporting them with workshop training."

Added Perkins, "This represents a recommitment by CPI to curriculum development and Christian formation resources, allowing us to better address what our customers have told us and continue to tell us about their needs."

The formation of Morehouse Education Resources is part of a larger CPI initiative to redefine and realign its imprints and offerings in order to serve the Church in more targeted ways and with extraordinary levels of cooperation, the release said.