From Susan S. Penrod, APCE President
It is a sure sign that summer is coming to a close when school bus drivers practice their routes around my neighborhood and young families crowd the grocery store aisle containing school supplies. Of course, another sure sign is the Rally Day notice with a list of new Sunday morning classes. Enthusiasm for a new beginning is almost palatable. I love it!
The fall issue of The Advocate arrived in your mail box this week with a focus on the Annual Event to be held February 13-16, 2008, in San Diego, California. Mary Mohkle, chair of the event, gives an excellent introduction to the conference as does Rodger Nishioka, associate professor of Christian education at Columbia Theological Seminary, who will be our keynote speaker. Turn to page 17 for the "You Asked" article answering many of the questions related to the annual event. Go to the APCE website to download a flyer, book your hotel reservations and book a shuttle. Coming soon you will be able to register for the event itself. http://apcenet.org/events/annual-next.htm.
Rodger Nishioka spoke during the APCE luncheon at the PCUSA General Assembly. He is a great storyteller! That day it was about his brother's fish swimming figure 8s.
Did you know Rodger was honored as Educator of the Year the last time our Annual Event was held in San Diego ?
APCE San Diego .
| A |
awesome |
| P |
plenaries |
| C |
challenging |
| E |
education |
| |
| S |
stunning |
| A |
adventure |
| N |
nifty |
| D |
destination |
| I |
inspiring |
| E |
experience |
| G |
great |
| O |
opportunities |
Come early, Stay late! Mary Mohlke, chair of the Annual Event 2008
Certification Courses Offered in San Diego Annual Event 2008
Religious Education Theory and Practice
Instructor: Dr. Diane Hymans, professor of Christian education and associate academic dean at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio
Worship and Sacraments
Instructor: Dr. Jane Rogers Vann, professor of Christian Education at Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia
Scholarship Opportunities for the APCE Annual Event
There are several opportunities for scholarship assistance to attend the APCE Annual Event in San Diego. Be sure to see if you or someone you know could benefit from these scholarships.
Val Murphy Scholarship: Up to two scholarships are awarded per year providing a maximum of $1,000. This award is intended to assist deserving persons with room, meals, registration and travel for the annual event. First consideration is given to racial ethnic persons working in the field of Christian Education who are students majoring in Christian Education. Second consideration is given to Christian Educators in the field and third consideration is given to Christian Education students. Deadline October 1, 2007.
Global Partnership Scholarship: One scholarship is awarded to international participants from countries outside North America. The scholarship will provide financial assistance for a minimum amount of $750 with consideration given to the expenses involved in transportation. Preference will be given to first time attendees. Deadline is October 1, 2007.
Certification Course Scholarships: This scholarship is available for those who are working toward certification as a Christian Educator. Scholarships will be given to the first ten to apply and covers the cost of the certification course only. The new deadline will be November 15, 2007.
Small Church Scholarships: This scholarship is available to those involved in Christian Education leadership in churches with a membership of 200 or under. It covers the early bird registration fee and a year's membership in APCE. Deadline is November 15, 2007.
Regional Scholarships: One scholarship is available to first time attendees from each region in APCE. The scholarship covers the early bird registration fee to APCE Annual Event and membership in APCE for one year. Deadline is November 15, 2007.
Recognizing Outstanding Christian Educators
Life Achievement and Educator of the Year Awards
It is more important than ever that we recognize and celebrate excellence in Christian Education whenever and wherever it occurs. Why is this so important? When we recognize outstanding achievement in Christian Education, we are inspiring and encouraging others. By recognizing those who have given so much to Christian Education we recognize that teaching the faith is one of the most important tasks of the Church.
APCE presents an award to an Educator of the Year and Life Time Achievement Awards at our Annual Event each year. The deadline for nominations is January 15th for Educator of the Year and September 15th for Life Time Achievement Awards. Nomination forms and criteria for nominees are available on the APCE website http://apcenet.org. If you know of an educator that should be recognized for excellence in Christian Education, please take the time to nominate her/him. Questions may be directed to Jan Zimmerman, janz@stanleypres.org.
Soliciting Suggestions for the Annual Event 2009
Judy Ferguson, chair of Annual Event 2009, asks your help in identifying quality leadership and topics for the workshops. The deadline for submitting a nomination has been extended.
Click Here to download the 2009 workshop order form.
Christian Educators Join the Church Triumphant
One of our members e-mailed a summary of obituaries with Presbyterian connections which appeared in the Washington County, Virginia newspaper. Here is her message:
A summary of the obituary of Jane Douglas Summers Brown reported that Jane died on July 13th at the age of 104 years. She was a daughter of a well known historian and was herself also a historian. She had many accomplishments to be commended for. While her husband attended Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Jane attended General Assembly's School of Christian Education. "With this background, she served as volunteer in her husband's several churches as a trained Christian church worker."
In the same issue of the newspaper was the obituary of Eliza Preston Cummings Brown, age 95. Culled from the lengthy obituary was this: "She was a direct descendent of The Rev. Charles Cummings, who was a founding pastor of the Sinking Springs Presbyterian Church and one of the first citizens of Abingdon, Virginia. He is credited with writing the Fincastle Resolves (first Declaration of Independence ) before the American Revolution." (Otherwise known as the Presbyterian revolution.)
What a history we Presbyterians have! What a history we Educators have! I want to see educators and preachers together make history that our descendents will be proud of. Say, like 100 years from now.
Peace...God be with you. Jennie Langham
Another e-mail came this month from Mary Louis Ellenberger, retired educator/pastor from Baltimore.
This is just a quick note at a late night hour from one of many retired members who receive your ALERTS! As one who rec'd life membership as a part of a Lifetime Achievement award many years ago, I want you to know how much I applaud the excellent work of APCE .I'm one of those who dreamt about such an organization back in the late 1940's. The reality is more than the dream! Congrats always and blessings on the work of educators of all our related Churches. One of my fondest memories of annual events is being the one to escort my very good friend Val Murphy to those meetings during the last frail years of her life! She did better than I to keep attending beyond retirement. But at least I am still learning by daring at 82 yrs. to attend the Peacemaking Conference at Ghost Ranch this very next week.
Mary Louis Ellenberger
Educator Certification Courses are coming to the Pacific Northwest!
Presbyterian Polity
Menucha Retreat and Conference Center
Corbett, Oregon
September 14-16, 2007
This is wonderful news for the greater Pacific Northwest region! Beginning with this course, Menucha Retreat & Conference Center will offer all seven courses needed for Certified Christian Educators and Certified Associate Christian Educators (only six courses are needed for this designation). More simply, they are also a great way to enrich your ministry potential. Designed specifically for Christian educators, the courses equip educators to offer the best gifts possible for their educational ministries, whether full time, part time, or volunteers in this calling. Beyond the fact that they prepare participants for taking the Certification exam, they can also be for anyone interested in learning about current educational practices and recent resources for all areas of ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Connect with other local and regional educators for support, to exchange ideas, and to grow together in our life of service to the church: mark your calendars and attend! For any questions you may have about theses courses or the educator certification process, please feel free to contact Scott Crane at 503-695-2243 or scott@menucha.org.
The first course to be offered, The Presbyterian Polity, will be taught by Chuck Falconer, Past Stated Clerk for Presbytery of the Cascades. For more information, please point your browser to www.menucha.org or you may call Menucha at 503-695-2243. We are located in the National Scenic Columbia River Gorge, in Corbett, Oregon.
