Congregations continue to struggle with effective faith formation programming while staying healthy and safe. And we anticipate that these virtual connections will need to remain in place for at least the next several months. Some congregations are finding virtual ministry to be as effective as face-to-face, yet others are struggling to maintain relationships with their children, youth, and families.

The culture of every congregation is different, and imitating the success of one congregation’s ministry will in no way guarantee that it will work with your congregation. Adaptive skills are needed to envision and choose the best resources and methods for the personality and needs of your particular congregation.

So how are faith formation leaders to navigate all of this uncertainty as they minister to their congregations?

The Faith Formation Leadership Program of the Southern New England Conference can help!

We are offering 7 classes this year, via Zoom, that not only connect faith formation leaders with colleagues and knowledgable instructors, they also provide the training and skills needed to minister effectively to children, youth, and families while pivoting to new models of connection and alternative delivery systems:

Developing Faith — Ages and Stages 
January 23 or March 27 with Nancy Sides
offers a study of human growth in faith, a look at the ways the pandemic is impacting the spirituality of children, youth, and their families, and the effective faith connections that can be made during each stage.

Faith Formation 101 — Practices for a Sustainable Ministry 
January 30th or April 24th with Karen Ziel, C.M.C.E.
offers best practices for organizing and implementing local church faith formation programs, for both on-site ministries and for the adaptations made during the pandemic.

Making Disciples — Theories and Practices for the 21st Century 
February 6 with Dr. Josh Lunde-Whitler
will challenge participants to dig deep into goals and visions for faith formation, and how these concepts inform best practices for meeting each congregation’s faith formation ministry needs.

Networking in Youth Ministry — Resources & Social Media 
February 20 with Debby Kirk and Lauren Dube’
looks at how to choose the best resources, curriculum materials, and social media platforms to meet the unique faith formation needs of one’s particular youth ministry.

Youth Ministry 101 — Practices for a Sustainable Ministry February 27 with Becky & Rev. Dave Stambaugh
covers the nuts and bolts, as well as the theological foundations for providing youth ministry in all settings and circumstances.

Living Into the Mystery — Worship & Sacraments in the UCC 
March 6 with Rev. Jenn Macy
provides an overview of the worship tradition embraced by the UCC, with foundational understandings that guide appropriate adaptations for worshipping with children and youth.

Boundary Awareness for Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Leaders 
March 13, as part of Super Saturday, with Rev. Greg Morisse and Debbie Gline Allen, C.M.C.F.
builds understanding around appropriate relational boundaries that are encountered in ministry with children, youth, and families as well as with church staff relationships.

Visit the Faith Formation Leadership Program webpage to learn more and to register.

All are welcome — clergy, faith formation leaders, youth ministry leaders, Sunday School teachers, parents, and anyone who has a passion for passing on the faith to others.

Join us for inspiring discussions and mind-opening learnings as we navigate our way through these changing and challenging times.