Pre-Events
We are excited to offer a wide range of engaging Pre-Events.
Click each day’s tab for the full descriptions.
Note that all times are Central Standard Time (CST) unless otherwise indicated.
Please check back frequently as events are still being added.
- Wednesday, January 18
- Monday, January 23 - Wednesday, January 25
- Tuesday, January 24
- Wednesday, January 25
Wednesday, January 18, 9:30 – 11:00 am (EST)
Virtual POINT Training 2023
Location: virtual through Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC)
Registration: free, through the APCE Annual Event registration site.
If you are a POINT partner (or member), join us for POINT Training 2023.
POINT Training consists of a training opportunity either virtually or in person.
Please choose one of the following POINT Training Options:
two options:
- Virtual POINT Training on Wednesday, January 18, 9:30 – 11:00 am EST
- In-person POINT Training on Wednesday, January 25, 9:30 – 11:00 am CST
If you attend the In-person Training, you are encouraged to sign-up for the free PPC and Office of Christian Formation Sponsored Lunch immediately following POINT Training.
The Enneagram for You and Youth Ministry
Monday, January 23, 1:30pm – Wednesday, January 25, noon
Fee: $75 PYWA and APCE members; $120 non-members
The Enneagram has gotten a lot of popular attention in recent years, but Facebook quizzed and memes don’t come close to capturing its complexity, richness, and wisdom! The Enneagram is rooted in an ancient, dynamic system for understanding ourselves (and others). It can lead us to deep self-awareness and personal transformation, helping us discover our true selves, beyond our ego and default behaviors. The nine ways of experiencing and being in the world articulated by the Enneagram help us live beyond our knee-jerk, default reactions and behaviors, and engage the world, ourselves, and our faith with more compassion and understanding.
For those of us who work or volunteer in ministry, the Enneagram gives us useful insights into our own leadership, the teams we work with, and the young people and families we serve. In our time together, we will explore both the complexities of the Enneagram and the applications to ministry it offers.
Beth Mueller currently serve Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church as the Senior Director of Worship Arts. She has been a student of the Enneagram for close to twenty years and has been teaching Enneagram wisdom since 2016. Beth is funny, approachable, knowledgeable, and passionate about the life-changing transformation the Enneagram can bring. Beth is the author of A Practical Guide to the Enneagram for Youth Ministry, available fall 2022.
For more information, contact PYWA at director@pywa.org.
Educator Certification Course
Please see the Educator Certification Course page for the details regarding this course.
Birmingham Civil Rights Experience/16th Street Baptist and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Tuesday, January 24, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00pm
$30 + lunch
Your tour will begin at the 16th Street Baptist Church. Sunday, September 15, 1963, at 10:22 am, the church became known around the world when a bomb exploded killing four young girls attending Sunday School and injuring more than 20 members of the congregation. This is a guided tour explaining the history of this congregation from 1873 to the present. The church has been designated a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After leaving the church, the group will have lunch and then tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The Civil Rights Institute is part history lesson, part audience participation and part demonstration of how the city has evolved since the 1960s. Photos, videos, audio recordings and exhibits put visitors inside the integration movement. If time and weather permit, participants will walk through Kelly Ingram Park. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Transportation included.
Birmingham Civil Rights Experience/16th Street Baptist and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Tuesday, January 24, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
$30
Your tour will begin at the 16th Street Baptist Church. Sunday, September 15, 1963, at 10:22 am, the church became known around the world when a bomb exploded killing four young girls attending Sunday School and injuring more than 20 members of the congregation. This is a guided tour explaining the history of this congregation from 1873 to the present. The church has been designated a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After leaving the church, the group will tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The Civil Rights Institute is part history lesson, part audience participation and part demonstration of how the city has evolved since the 1960s. Photos, videos, audio recordings and exhibits put visitors inside the integration movement. If time and weather permit, participants will walk through Kelly Ingram Park. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Transportation included.
Birmingham Museum of Art
Tuesday morning or afternoon
Free
The Birmingham Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. It is within walking distance of the conference hotel and the BJCC. The Birmingham Museum of Art, one of the finest regional museums in the United States, houses a diverse collection of more than 27,000 paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, and decorative arts dating from ancient to modern times. The collection presents a rich panorama of cultures, featuring the Museum’s extensive holdings of Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American art. The Birmingham Museum of Art also houses the largest collection of Wedgewood China in the country.
In-person POINT Training 2023
Wednesday, January 25, 9:30 – 11:00 am
Free
Location: virtual through Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC)
Registration: free, through the APCE Annual Event registration site.
If you are a POINT partner (or member), join us for POINT Training 2023.
POINT Training consists of a training opportunity either virtually or in person.
Please see the POINT Training page for the details regarding this course.
A Conversation with Pastor Michael Waters
Wednesday, January 25, 9:00am – 10:30am
$11
Come join a conversation with conference preacher, Rev. Dr. Michael Waters. Lib Caldwell will facilitate this conversation with Pastor Michael as he talks with us about why it’s important to help our children and youth know about the history of racism in our country and the work we must all be doing. All workshop participants will receive a signed copy of Dr. Waters’ book Liberty’s Civil Rights Road Trip. Fee: $11.
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth F. Caldwell (Lib) is Professor Emerita of Pastoral Theology, McCormick Theological Seminary. She is a teacher, author, and quilter. Lib is a Past President of APCE and Educator of the Year in 2004.
Rev. Dr. Michael Waters is founding pastor of Abundant Life AME Church in Dallas, Texas. He is a much sought-after speaker, preacher, and teacher as a civil rights leader, author and minister.
Postponed (will be held virtually at a date tbd)
Listening Circle (sponsored by the APCE Diversty Task Force)
Wednesday, January 25, 9:00am – noon
Free
Join members of APCE’s Diversity Task Force for a time of sitting with and listening to one another as we engage the contents of the Task Force’s Final Report. We’ll explore its implications for APCE and our own contexts, wrestle with how we move from nice words to meaningful action, and think about how acknowledging the ways we have fallen short can lead to transformation.
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.
Birmingham Civil Rights Experience/Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and possibly Kelly Ingram Park
Wednesday, January 25, 8:30am – 11:30am
***Please note that this Pre-Event now begins at 8:30am rather than 9:30am.
$30
Your group will tour the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The Civil Rights Institute is part history lesson, part audience participation and part demonstration of how the city has evolved since the 1960s. Photos, videos, audio recordings and exhibits put visitors inside the integration movement. If time and weather permit, participants will walk through Kelly Ingram Park. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Transportation included.
Birmingham Museum of Art
Wednesday morning
Free
The Birmingham Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. It is within walking distance of the conference hotel and the BJCC. The Birmingham Museum of Art, one of the finest regional museums in the United States, houses a diverse collection of more than 27,000 paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings, and decorative arts dating from ancient to modern times. The collection presents a rich panorama of cultures, featuring the Museum’s extensive holdings of Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American art. The Birmingham Museum of Art also houses the largest collection of Wedgewood china in the country.
PPC and Office of Christian Formation Sponsored Lunch
Wednesday, January 25, 11:00am – 1:00pm (CST)
Free
Join us for a free lunch and hear about all of the great resources available for your congregation. From curriculum to great Bible studies and even children’s picture books we have so we want to share with you! Open to all; POINT people are encouraged to attend.
First-Timers Gathering
Wednesday, January 25, 1:00pm – 2:00pm (CST)
Free
If this is your first time attending the Annual Event in-person, please join APCE leadership and other Event attendees for this time of welcome and introduction to this year’s Annual Event. Hosted by the Advocacy Ministry Team.
Conversation Circles
Wednesday, January 25, 1:00pm – 2:00pm (CST)
Free
- Wonder of Worship Project
The Wonder of Worship project is interested in learning from those involved in children’s ministry ways that you’ve found to nurture children’s faith through corporate worship and prayer. We would love to hear your stories about how children’s participation in worship has changed in these endemic times and how a grant project focused on this topic might assist you in your ministry. Come and share your stories of joys and challenges with us. - “Project Regeneration: a prayerful discernment process for the next season of your congregation’s life”
The Presbyterian Foundation offers a creative discernment process that can be helpful to your congregation, your ministry and the future of the church.
With Robert Hay Jr., The Presbyterian Foundation - APCE Diversity Task Force Update
Join members of APCE’s Diversity Task Force for a quick presentation of its final report. 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. - Educator Certification Conversation
Are you interested in educator certification or currently in the process or are you a Certification Advisor? Join us to learn more about the process to become a certified Christian educator as well as the recently revamped endorsement level of Christian Education Associate. There will be the opportunity to discuss questions regarding the process and requirements as well as direct advisors to available resources.
Hosted by the Educator Certification Council. - Retired Educators’ Gathering
All retired educators are invited to come for conversation, fellowship, and reminiscing–celebrating our important connections over the years!
Hosted by retired educators. - Intro to Spiritual Direction
Would you like to know more about spiritual direction? MJ Junkin will provide an introduction to Spirtual Direction and answer your questions. - Children’s Ministry
Is ministry with children your focus? Join colleagues who focus on faith formation with children for conversation and connection. - Youth/Student Ministry
Is ministry with youth/students your focus? Come connect with others who lead youth/students and share ministry ideas. - Adult Faith Formation
Is adult faith formation your focus? If so, join colleagues for connection and conversation regarding adult faith formation. - Older Adult Ministry
Are you engaged in ministry with older adults or want to learn from others who are? Join this group for conversation as you share ideas and encourage each other.