Monthly Archives: September 2014

The Confirmation Project

The Confirmation Project seeks to learn the extent to which confirmation and equivalent practices (CEP) in five Protestant denominations in the United States are effective for strengthening discipleship in youth. Strengthening discipleship includes nurturing faith in Jesus Christ and facilitating youth encounters with Christian traditions (Scripture, creeds, confessions, and practices) to support lifelong Christian vocation.

The five denominations in this project include: the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Methodist Church. This project is funded by the Lilly Foundation, Inc. and seeks to provide ministry leaders within the Christian church examples of strategies and practices that are effective in helping young Christians grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Churches in the PC(USA) will receive an e-mail link to our confirmation survey on October 1, 2014. By taking the time to fill out the survey, you can help us better understandthe depth, breadth, and effectiveness of confirmation and equivalent practices in the PC(USA). We look forward to learning from you and your ministry!

To learn more, visit our website at www.theconfirmationproject.com.

Older Adult Ministry Certification

Center for Lifelong Learning Prepares Churches for Aging Population with Older Adult Ministry Certificate

Decatur, GA—The Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at Columbia Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN) are pleased to announce a new partnership that will better equip churches and faith-based organizations to address the needs of older participants. Beginning in April 2015, the CLL will be the host location for the Older Adult Ministry Certificate Program (OAM).

Jan L. McGilliard will serve as the OAM Certificate Program Coordinator. She is a member of the POAMN Executive Committee, and is a past president of the organization. McGilliard holds a M.S. from Virginia Tech in Adult Development and Aging, a Certificate in Gerontology, Certifications in Intergenerational Programming and Lay Preaching. She is a Ruling Elder in the PC(USA) and lives in Blacksburg, VA.

“The program meets a very real need for congregations,” says McGilliard. “It is not uncommon for churches to be half or more older adults, and in small congregations, nearly all may be older. Clergy and Christian educators increasingly recognize the need to know more about the second half of life as it relates to their mission and ministry.”

The program is open to participants from any denomination or faith tradition. Four core classes and a capstone project are required to complete the Certificate Program. Two classes will be offered each spring at the CLL; participants may begin with any of these scheduled classes. Pre-course reading and post-course assignments are required. The certificate course of study may be completed in 24-36 months.

The course schedule through the spring of 2016 is listed, below, and includes two opportunities prior to the partner events launching in April 2015. Program fees for each course at the Center for Lifelong Learning are currently set at $200 per course; guest rooms and campus dining are available at the time of registration. Limited scholarship funds are available through POAMN; contact Jan McGilliard for additional information.

OAM course offered in 2014 at the POAMN Annual Conference in Excelsior Springs, MO

Spiritual Formation and Older Adults
October 17-18 | Instructor:  Henry C. Simmons, PhD

OAM course offered at the Association of Church Educators Annual Event in Baltimore, MD

Spiritual Formation and Older Adults
February 2-4, 2015 | Instructor: Henry C. Simmons, PhD

OAM courses offered at the CLL in 2015

The Process of Aging and Implications for Ministry
April 12-15 | Instructor: Mary Ann Johnson, PhD
Click here for additional information and to register.

Teaching for Transformation
April 16-18 | Instructor: Rev. Joyce MacKichan Walker
Click here for additional information and to register.

OAM classes at the CLL in 2016—Registration opens in spring 2015

Spiritual Formation and Older Adults
April 11-13 | Instructor:  Henry C. Simmons, PhD

Framing Theological Questions with Older Adults,
April 12-16 | Instructor: Rev. Marvin Simmers, EdD

Columbia Theological Seminary is an educational institution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Center for Lifelong Learning serves as a resource for church professionals and lay people. For a current list of upcoming programs offered by the CLL, visit http://www.ctsnet.edu/lifelong-courses-and-events.

Program Contacts:

Sarah Erickson
Director, Lifelong Learning
404 687-4526
EricksonS@CTSnet.edu

Jan McGilliard
POAMN Certificate Program Coordinator
Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network
540-449-1253
janmcgilli@gmail.com
http://www.poamn.org/

GLAPCE/GLAUCE Fall Event

GOD IN A DIGITAL AGE

October 14-16, 2014
Techny  Towers, Techny, IL

Our keynote speaker this year is the wonderful Bruce Reyes-Chow, author of The Definitive-ish Guide for Using Social Media in the Church, and But I Don’t See You As Asian: Curating Conversations About Race.  If you are not familiar with Bruce, you can learn more about him on his website.  We are offering eight engaging workshops, and six forums, too.

It is time to register!  You wouldn’t want to miss this year’s conference, and, if you register by Wednesday , September 24, you will save $25!  Here is  a link to our website from which you can access the registration form.

EVENT REGISTRATION

Questions? Call Martha McDonald, registrar at 317-357-5123.

What Happened at POV Assembly 9/13/14

September 13, 2014

Gradye Parsons, the Stated Clerk of General Assembly, was our guest at the Assembly and the preacher for the opening of the meeting. Gradye spoke in his warm and winsome manner focusing on the ways in which we can truly know and be known to each other. It was a great sermon.

Dedication of the Micah Center—Our host church (Dale Presbyterian) has just finished the construction of an expansion of the Church building to house and more significantly serve the needs of the Dale community. This church is an outward focused mission oriented group. The assembly was part of an entire weekend of work to dedicate this new ministry and focus.

Presentation of the Commissioners to the 221st General Assembly was offered. Alan Finnan gave a verbal report and Phil Newton presented his information in written form due to a schedule conflict.

The Olivet Administrative Commission reported. The legal issue with the Olivet Presbyterian Church has been settled. The Commission was dissolved with the gratitude of the Presbytery. The details of this settlement will be available online. There was no absolute resolution of some issues.

Various Committees reported on their work.

A Refinement of Presbytery Structure was adopted along with revised bylaws. This has been the result of much work on the part of a task group. Committees have been somewhat redefined and formed in such a way as to offer more responsibility and accountability.

Susan McGhee is initiating her 6th year as our Presbytery Executive.

L. Jackman, Stated Clerk