Broadening APCE’s Racial Ethnic Base
by Anne Yee-Hibbs As I write this blog article for the Advocate, we are living in social isolation because of the Covid-19 outbreak. During this time, we realize how much we are dependent upon our relationships with our family and friends. It is difficult, and yet we...
Labor Day Sabbath
Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident...
Rethinking Summer Mission Activity: The Mission Un-Trip
by Brittany Porch Upon canceling our summer mission trips due to Covid-19, the church Session committed to an alternative mission experience for our youth that was safe and offered a meaningful service experience. To pull this off, I had quite the task set before me....
Lessons Learned from Virtual VBS
As churches have made adjustments to their regular Christian education programming since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Advocate blog (and APCE leaders) have offered suggestions for program adjustments. We thought we’d follow up with one congregation who...
Crafting the APCE Mission Statement
The mission of APCE is to connect, enrich, empower, and sustain persons serving in educational ministry in the Reformed family of churches. This statement has helped guide the purpose and ministry of The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators for about 20 years...
Surprise! Lessons Learned From Pastoral Ministry with Older Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic
by Lakesha Bradshaw Easter Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our congregation, like many others, listed the names of our elder members and friends of the community who are home-bound due to physical and/or mobility challenges. These beloved friends frequently received...
Back-to-School (or Virtual School) Blessing
Many churches mark the back-to-school season with a Blessing of Backpacks for children, families, teachers, and leaders who are returning to the classroom after summer break. This ritual is a tangible reminder that God is present everywhere and accompanies us in every...
Planning For Online Children’s Sunday School This Fall – Curriculum Update
by Tori Smit What will we teach this fall? For many of our churches, thinking creatively about how and what our Sunday schools will be teaching this fall as we go online, over Zoom, or become parent-led is a huge and overwhelming concern. As each of us begins to look...
The Role of Advocacy for Educators in the PCUSA
Once upon a time, emboldened by 19 years in educational ministry in tiny to very large churches and a whole lot of APCE meetings, a Certified Christian Educator in the PC (U.S.A.) was appointed to the “Workgroup on the Role and Status of Christian Educators.” Two...
Our Stories in God’s Story
by Sharon Warkentin Short The need to make sense of our lives seems to be a fundamental human drive. We all do it by interpreting our individual experiences in light of some larger controlling story. The “small stories” of our everyday lives take on whatever meaning...
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