The Southern New England Conference boasts having the only entry-level equipping program specifically for faith formation and youth ministry leaders in the United Church of Christ. After spending two or more years taking classes in the program, one is eligible to receive its certificate.
On October 29th, eight faith formation and youth ministry leaders were awarded their Certificate in Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leadership. Since the program's inception in 2011, certificates have been awarded to 70 faith formation and youth ministry leaders.
The Faith Formation Leadership Program offers classes in the various areas of faith formation and youth ministry:
The following faith formation and youth ministry leaders were honored this year:
Andrea Terni Bullard, Faith Formation Director at Barrington Congregational Church in Barrington, Rhode Island
Lee Carman, Director of Faith Formation at the Ellington Congregational Church, UCC in Ellington, Connecticut
Margit Griffith, EnrichedLIFE Director at The Cambridge Homes, formerly the Director of Religious Education at First Parish in Lincoln, Massachusetts
Lisa Haupt, Director of Faith Formation at Storrs Congregational Church, UCC in Storrs, Connecticut
Linda Heinze, Sunday School Teacher and Co-Teacher of Confirmation at Feeding Hills Congregational Church, UCC in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts
Andrew Laro, Minister of Faith Formation at the First Congregational Church of Stamford, Connecticut
Christine Lehoullier, Christian Education Director at First Parish Congregational Church, UCC in East Derry, New Hampshire
Diane Osborne, Christian Education Chair at Second Congregational Church, UCC in Attleboro, Massachusetts
Andrea Terni Bullard is grateful for what the program has given her. As her congregation gave her more leadership responsibilities, she was able to take them on with confidence. “Achieving the SNEUCC Certification in Faith Formation not only makes me a better faith formation leader, but also makes me a great resource for my congregation. I am now worthy of my title of Faith Formation Director.”
Margit Griffith discovered that the skills she acquired were transferable to her new secular position. “I am able to carry my learnings from this program into my new role in spiritual nourishment for adults in assisted living.”
Lisa Haupt found the classes she took to be just what she needed at this point in time. “With the challenges of providing ministry experiences during the pandemic, the classes provided helpful, up-to-date information, particularly needed for pivoting.”
Diane Osborne discovered other connections and benefits to taking the classes. “This program has led me to feel a greater connection to the conference and denomination in a way that has deepened my faith.”
The Southern New England Conference is grateful for these gifted faith formation leaders, as well as the congregations that supported them throughout their certification process.
For more information about the Southern New England Conference’s Faith Formation Leadership Program and to register for classes, visit the program's webpage.
On October 29th, eight faith formation and youth ministry leaders were awarded their Certificate in Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leadership. Since the program's inception in 2011, certificates have been awarded to 70 faith formation and youth ministry leaders.
The Faith Formation Leadership Program offers classes in the various areas of faith formation and youth ministry:
- Adaptive and Innovative Leadership
- Boundary Awareness
- Creating Safe Environments
- Developing Faith — Ages & Stages
- Engaging Our Sacred Scripture’s Story
- Exploring Curriculum & Digital Resources
- Exploring the UCC — Our History, Our Beliefs, Our Identity
- Faith Formation 101
- Living Into the Mystery — Worship & Sacraments
- Making Disciples — Theories & Practices for the 21st Century
- Racial Justice
- Serving Together — Mission for All Ages
- Youth Ministry 101
The following faith formation and youth ministry leaders were honored this year:
Andrea Terni Bullard, Faith Formation Director at Barrington Congregational Church in Barrington, Rhode Island
Lee Carman, Director of Faith Formation at the Ellington Congregational Church, UCC in Ellington, Connecticut
Margit Griffith, EnrichedLIFE Director at The Cambridge Homes, formerly the Director of Religious Education at First Parish in Lincoln, Massachusetts
Lisa Haupt, Director of Faith Formation at Storrs Congregational Church, UCC in Storrs, Connecticut
Linda Heinze, Sunday School Teacher and Co-Teacher of Confirmation at Feeding Hills Congregational Church, UCC in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts
Andrew Laro, Minister of Faith Formation at the First Congregational Church of Stamford, Connecticut
Christine Lehoullier, Christian Education Director at First Parish Congregational Church, UCC in East Derry, New Hampshire
Diane Osborne, Christian Education Chair at Second Congregational Church, UCC in Attleboro, Massachusetts
Andrea Terni Bullard is grateful for what the program has given her. As her congregation gave her more leadership responsibilities, she was able to take them on with confidence. “Achieving the SNEUCC Certification in Faith Formation not only makes me a better faith formation leader, but also makes me a great resource for my congregation. I am now worthy of my title of Faith Formation Director.”
Margit Griffith discovered that the skills she acquired were transferable to her new secular position. “I am able to carry my learnings from this program into my new role in spiritual nourishment for adults in assisted living.”
Lisa Haupt found the classes she took to be just what she needed at this point in time. “With the challenges of providing ministry experiences during the pandemic, the classes provided helpful, up-to-date information, particularly needed for pivoting.”
Diane Osborne discovered other connections and benefits to taking the classes. “This program has led me to feel a greater connection to the conference and denomination in a way that has deepened my faith.”
The Southern New England Conference is grateful for these gifted faith formation leaders, as well as the congregations that supported them throughout their certification process.
For more information about the Southern New England Conference’s Faith Formation Leadership Program and to register for classes, visit the program's webpage.
Author
Debbie Gline Allen
Debbie Gline Allen serves as a Minister of Faith Formation on the Conference’s Faith Formation Ministry Team. She also serves as the administrator of the SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program. Her passion for ministry is with children and family...