PRE-EVENTS
(located at the hotel unless noted; some registrations with fees)
- Wednesday, February 2
- Monday, February 7 – Wednesday, February 9
- Tuesday, February 8
- Tuesday, February 8 – Wednesday, February 9
- Wednesday, February 9
Wednesday, February 2, 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST)
POINT Virtual Training 2022
Location: virtual through PPC and the office of Christian formation
Registration: free, through the APCE event registration site
If you are a POINT partner (or member) you will want to be sure you join us for virtual POINT Training 2022! We will be sharing an in-depth look into the making of our newest curriculum Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living. We have great curricula to share with you, new books for children and your ministry, along with other helpful resources. We will provide you with a detailed schedule, so you know what is happening when to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
The office of Christian formation of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, PC(USA), will hold a session during the training this year! We will share resources and training around the three foci of Matthew 25, what it means to live this out in community, and how faith formation ministries are the foundation for this vision of the Church. Stay tuned for announcements regarding the special speaker for this session.
Contact Katie Snyder, associate for curriculum training and POINT coordinator, for more information.
Monday, February 7, 3:00 p.m. – Wednesday, February 9, 12:00 p.m.
Certification Course: Presbyterian Polity, Program, and Mission
Registration Fees:
- Full Polity, Program, and Mission: $300
- Program and Mission Only: $200
- Polity Only: $200
Minimum is 6 by Early Bird Deadline (December 3)
The Presbyterian Polity, Program, and Mission certification course offers educators an opportunity to explore how these three critical ministry areas of the PC(USA) impact, guide, and influence educational programs and events in the life of a congregation, presbytery, synod, and General Assembly.
Full Polity, Program, and Mission course participants will meet in four online classes prior to the APCE Annual Event – January 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (EST) – and attend all in-person classes in Chicago prior to the Annual Event as listed below.
Program and Mission Only course participants are required to attend all in-person classes in Chicago prior to the Annual Event as listed below. No on-line classes.
Polity Only course participants will participate in the four online classes with full course participants prior to APCE Annual Event – January 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (EST) – and in two in-person classes in Chicago as listed. February 8, 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and February 9, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday, February 7, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 8, 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 8, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday, February 7, 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 9, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Joyce MacKichan Walker, a retired minister of Word and Sacrament, a certified Christian educator in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the 2008 APCE Educator of the Year, will teach all classes.
For more information, contact Billie Sutter, APCE certification course coordinator, Advocacy Ministry Team, and download the Certification Course flier for full schedule, leader bio, and course description.
Tuesday, February 8, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CLOSED *Let’s Talk about Racism and Next Step Toward Anti-racism
Location: Fourth Presbyterian Church
Registration Fee: $85, includes breakfast pastries, beverages, and lunch
Minimum is 30 by Early Bird Deadline (December 3). Maximum is 50.
Through a variety of interactive experiences, we will go deeper in our conversation and transformation. Our goal is for participants to leave with an understanding of the layers of racism within our systems and culture and to assist them in identifying next steps toward dismantling racism in their context. We will share our own stories of leading the Commission on Anti-racism and Equity within the Chicago Presbytery.
*This workshop may satisfy your presbytery’s, classis’, or organization’s entry-level continuing education requirement for antibias training. If you plan to attend the anti-racism workshop offered as part of the APCE annual event and have not participated in similar courses, you may want to consider this pre-event as an introduction.
Ariel Gloor and Rev. Deborah Paton are co-moderators of Chicago Presbytery’s Commission on Anti-racism and Equity (CARE).
Sponsored by the Commission on Anti-racism and Equity of Chicago Presbytery – Chicago Presbytery’s Committee on Representation – and the APCE Annual Event Ministry Team.
Contact Candace Hill for more information.
Tuesday, February 8, 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
CLOSED Chicago Icons: Connecting Past and Present at the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) – outdoors
(Tour group will meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Marriott for a .4 mi/7 min walk.)
Registration Fee: $30, includes entrance to Chicago Architecture Center exhibits (Friday – Monday only)
Minimum is 11 by early bird deadline (December 3). Maximum is 80.
This lively overview of Chicago architecture explores iconic buildings from the 1890s to the present. We will compare and contrast a wide range of buildings with varying architectural styles and see how older structures connect to new skyline additions. Hosted by the Local Committee.
Jenny Hubbard is the 2022 APCE Annual Event local co-chair and pastor of AuSable Grove Presbyterian Church, Yorkville, Illinois.
For complete tour information: https://www.architecture.org/tours/detail/chicago-icons-connecting-past-and-present/ or contact Jenny Hubbard, your tour contact.
Tuesday, February 8, 3:00 p.m. – Wednesday, February 9, 11:30 a.m.
The Future of Youth Ministry: A Conversation with Andrew Root
Presbyterian Youth Workers Association (PYWA)
(hybrid event with leader virtual and participants in-person and virtual)
Registration Fee: $75
Minimum is 20 by early bird deadline (December 3). Maximum is 45.
What is the future of youth ministry, and how can we all be prepared for it? That will be the guiding question as we spend time in conversation with Andrew Root and with fellow participants as we discover, listen to, and support one another in what God is calling youth ministry to be and to do.
Dr. Andrew Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture, and younger generations. His most recent books are The Congregation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2021), The End of Youth Ministry? (Baker, 2020), The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God (Baker, 2019), Faith Formation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2017), and Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science (Fortress Press, 2018).
For more information, contact Brian Kuhn, executive director, PYWA, or John Leedy, associate pastor, United Presbyterian Church, Austin, TX.
Wednesday, February 9, 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
CLOSED Drawing Our Circles Wider
Location: Fourth Presbyterian Church
Registration Fee: $35.00, includes authors’ book God’s Big Plan, breakfast pastries, and beverages
Minimum is 30 by early bird deadline (December 3). Maximum is 50.
This workshop will explore Genesis 1:1–2:25 ; 11:1–9 (bring your Bibles) and interpretations of these familiar texts; discuss the importance of biblical interpretation with children and youth and how we help them get it right the first time so that they don’t have to unlearn things later; show how we make connections between contemporary biblical interpretations of text and writing stories for children, and hear new stories for children from Genesis 1 and 2 that the leaders are working on. Sponsored by McCormick Theological Seminary and the APCE Annual Event Ministry Team.
Lib Caldwell is the retired Harold Blake Walker Professor of Pastoral Theology, McCormick Theological Seminary. Ted Hiebert is the Francis A. McGaw Professor of Old Testament and dean emeritus of the faculty, McCormick Theological Seminary.
Contact Candace Hill for more information.
Wednesday, February 9, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
CLOSED Historic Treasures of the Golden Age Tour – outdoors
(Tour group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Marriott for a .4 mi/7 min walk.)
Registration Fee: $30.00, includes entrance to Chicago Architecture Center exhibits (Friday – Monday only)
Minimum is 11 by early bird deadline (December 3). Maximum is 80.
Learn about the great architectural landmarks of Michigan Avenue and State Street. The 40 years between 1890 and 1930 saw the creation of some of Chicago’s most memorable buildings, many of which are featured on this tour.
Jenny Hubbard is the 2022 APCE Annual Event local co-chair and pastor of AuSable Grove Presbyterian Church, Yorkville, Illinois.
For complete tour information: https://www.architecture.org/tours/detail/illinois-center-pedway/ or contact Jenny Hubbard, your tour contact.
Wednesday, February 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pre-event Conversation Circles (register for only one)
APCE Diversity Task Force Update
Join members of APCE’s Diversity Task Force to hear about the parameters, definitions, and principles upon which our work is based. We will also share preliminary assessments and potential recommendations. Ample time will be reserved for questions and responses and most especially for your input on how well APCE is living into its goal of being more just and equitable.
Led by members of the APCE Diversity Task Force–women and men, persons of color and persons of white, of many ages, geographies, and denominations.
Contact Susan Thornton for more information.
Certification Advisor Training
This will be an opportunity for Certification Advisors to receive information on the role of Certification Advisors and the process of certification, as well as learn more about the newly revised endorsement level of the Christian Education Associate. There will be the opportunity to discuss questions regarding the process and requirements as well as direct advisors to available resources.
Cindy Kissel-Ito is professor of Christian education and director of the Master of Arts in Christian education at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia, and Cheryl Carson is a certified Christian educator who serves as the associate executive presbyter of Central Florida Presbytery. Both are currently serving on the Educator Certification Committee for the PC(USA).
For more information, contact Cheryl Carson.
Educator Certification Conversation
Are you interested in educator certification or currently in the process? Learn more about the process to become a certified Christian educator as well as the recently revamped endorsement level of Christian Education Associate.
Jenna Campbell is a certified Christian educator serving as the director of Children and Youth Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Denise Kennedy serves as minister of Christian formation at the First Presbyterian Church in Irvington, New Jersey. Both are currently serving on the Educator Certification Committee for the PC(USA).
Contact Jenna Campbell for more information.
First Timers’ Welcome
Join us for our annual First Timers’ Welcome. We will share tips for navigating your first APCE Annual Event, connect you with your regional APCE Connector, and answer your questions about APCE. All this and door prizes too! Come and join us! Hosted by the APCE Advocacy Ministry Team.
For more information contact, Melissa Kirkpatrick.
Retired Educators’ Gathering
Can you believe it has been more than fifty years since our predecessor organizations voted on a merger that we celebrate this year, the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators? This momentous occasion is time to gather the saints who nurtured faith communities, mentored other educators, and supported the mission of APCE for many years. All retired educators are invited to come for an hour of conversation, fellowship, and reminiscing–celebrating our important connections over the years! Hosted by the APCE 50th Anniversary Committee.
Zeta Lamberson is a former APCE president, the moderator of the APCE 50th Anniversary Committee, and retired minister of Word and Sacrament, PC(USA).
Contact Zeta Lamberson for more information.
Special Committee to Study the Reformed Perspective of Christian Education in the 21st Century PC(USA)
(via Zoom only; link will be provided through the event app and through a message to all event registrants)
Join the Special Committee on the Reformed Perspective on the Future of Christian Education in the 21st Century for a conversation about round two of their work highlighting the future of certification and possibilities for preparing pastors to be educators for faith formation.
Led by members of the Special Committee.
For more information, contact Emily Chudy, committee co-moderator.