The Southern New England Conference’s Faith Formation Leadership Program offers 12 Saturday morning classes over the course of two years on a wide variety of topics that are encountered by church leaders who provide faith-forming experiences for their congregations. Volunteers, committee members, full- or part-time paid staff, as well as clergy are welcome to register for any or all of the classes that they may need.

This program provides the grounding one needs to create successful programs and experiences, to evaluate and select the best and most theologically appropriate resource materials, and to nurture a sense of community in the congregation as people grow in their faith.

Teresa Bielecki, who serves in faith formation and digital ministries at The First Congregational Church of Lebanon, CT, remarks that, “Zoom is perfection! The way the instructors are able to include everyone and keep up on the Chat is ideal. I thought this would be just another Zoom class (muted and watching), but was stoked to see how immersive the experience was.”

Now that the program is offered entirely via Zoom, it has welcomed students from all over the country -- from our own Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, as well as from Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and even as far west as California. 

While the program is mainly attended by those who work with children, youth, and families, most of what is presented in each class is applicable for adults and intergenerational ministries as well. Caroline Dunleavy, who serves as the music minister at St. Peter’s Tohickon United Church of Christ in Perkasie, PA, also volunteers with their adult faith formation. At first she was unsure whether this program could meet her specific needs. Now after having attended two classes, she is grateful for what she has learned to date, for hearing the perspectives of colleagues in this ministry from throughout the country, and is looking forward to the experience of earning the Certificate in Faith Formation Leadership.

Classes being offered this spring are:

Engaging Our Sacred Scripture’s Story — February 26, 2022
    An overview of the formation, contents, structure, and flow of the Bible. 
    Instructor:  Rev. Don Remick
          
Exploring the United Church of Christ: Our History, Our Beliefs, Our Identity — March 26, 2022
    An overview of the birth, development, structure, beliefs, values, and ethos of the United Church of Christ.
    (Does not meet UCC Member In Discernment requirements.)
    Instructor:  Rev. Dr. Audrey Price

Boundary Awareness for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leaders — April 2, 2022
    This introductory class will equip faith formation and youth ministry leaders with the basics of healthy
    boundaries. (Does not fulfill the Boundary Awareness requirement for clergy.)
    * Registration Deadline:  March 28, 2022 to receive & read pre-class assignment
    Instructor:  Rev. Greg Morisse

Serving Together: Mission for All Ages — April 9, 2022
    Explore the differences between charity and justice from biblical and developmental perspectives in light of
    offering mission and service opportunities for children, youth, families, and the congregation.
    Instructor:  Rev. Kevin Weikel
          
A rolling registration is offered so that students may begin attending classes at any time.
All classes are offered via Zoom and welcome all who wish to bring best practices for growing in faith to their congregations.

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.sneucc.org//certification or contact Debbie Gline Allen at glineallend@sneucc.org or call 508-244-4332