Read the Fall 2008 newsletter

Fall ministry is under way across the country. Many of you are directly involved in this important process through your call as Christian educator on a church staff. Others provide support through their role on presbytery staff. Some are retired and still volunteer. Bless you all!

It never ceases to amaze me the variety of questions, the number of calls, or the support needed when congregations long to provide the best nurture and teaching they can for the peoples in their midst. Praise, God, for vital educational ministries across our denomination!

Time does not stand still and the ministry of faith formation is ongoing. Stay in touch with network members through our Facebook group, by phone, or email. And remember to take time for your own journey along the way!

Nurturing Faith Together

Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching (POINT) will gather in San Antonio, Texas, for training on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 27–28, 2009. The theme will be “Nurturing Faith Together,” inspired by the 10th anniversary of POINT and our denomination’s four-year emphasis on church growth, Growing God’s Church Deep and Wide.

Karen-Marie Yust, associate professor of Christian education at Union-PSCE, will be our guest speaker. Dr. Yust is a well-known author and researcher in the field of faith formation for all ages. Her books include Attentive to God, Real Kids, Real Kids: Practices for Nurturing Children’s Spiritual Lives and her latest book, Taught by God.

During this one-day event, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on Dr. Yust’s insights about faith formation, discuss goals for the POINT network, participate in an informal resource fair and experience a workshop module that introduces 2009 We Believe. You will not want to miss this event in beautiful San Antonio, Texas!

The 2009 POINT event brochures were mailed to all POINT volunteers, resource center directors and some presbytery staff. If you or your presbytery did not receive any brochures, you can find them online.

Presbyteries are invited to send any number of volunteers, their resource center director or any other presbytery staff who would most benefit from attending the POINT event. Travel stipends are limited however. Please submit a registration form as instructed.

The registration deadline is December 15, 2008. Special event number SE#09006 should be written on the check that accompanies the completed registration form. Mail registration forms with payment to:

Special Event Remittance Processing (SE#09006)
P. O. Box 643765
Pittsburgh, PA 15264–3765

Confirmation of your registration will be sent by January 31, 2009. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact Vennie Constant at (888) 728-7228, x5460 or by email.

Financial subsidies are available for up to two designated POINT volunteers per presbytery. Middle Governing Body staff may also apply for a subsidy, if needed and available. Subsidies are available for up to 150 paid registrants. For information contact Candace C. Hill, (888) 728-7228, x5166.

Continue “Nurturing Faith Together” through the POINT network!

Introducing Educational Ministries

One of the greatest assets of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is its connectional nature. This gift was celebrated again and again this summer when the “family” gathered in San Jose for the 218th General Assembly. It was also highlighted when numerous presbyteries across the country hosted “prepare for fall” leadership training and education events. What a joy and privilege to witness the greater church in action in these settings! For those who do not feel connected to the larger church for such reasons as never having served as an officer or commissioner or living in a “geographically challenged” presbytery with few opportunities to get together, the mission and ministry of the denominational staff through the General Assembly Council is sometimes complex. Church members, congregations and even presbytery staff may wonder who to call with their questions or how their national staff can assist. Let’s focus on how to find help for the educational needs of the church.
Recently, within Theology Worship and Education, a new team was formed that is dedicated to helping congregations and presbyteries fulfill the call to make disciples and to equip the saints. This ministry team, called Educational Ministries, is a group of individuals who are called to assist the greater church with these tasks:

• Nurturing faith
• Equipping leaders
• Supporting networks
• Promoting lifelong learning
  

Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching (POINT) and other projects, such as Opening Doors to Discipleship, are now aligned with this group. The people who coordinate and support the network remain the same.

This new configuration brings wider scope to the ministry we mutually provide. Whether seeking information about small group ministry, publishing materials for parents and tweens, or training youth and their leaders, these are people you need to know. In addition to Candace Hill and Vennie Constant, whose contact information is listed below, make note of the other members of the Educational Ministries team:

Gina Yeager-Buckley
Associate for Ministries with Youth
(888) 728-7228 x5497

Adrian McMullen
Associate for Ministries with Youth
(888) 728, 7228 x5639

Carmelita Young
Administrative Assistant, Ministries with Youth
(888) 728-7228 x5499

Molly Atkinson
Intern, Ministries with Youth
(888) 728-7228 x5111

Stay in Touch

Candace C. Hill
Coordinator, Educational Ministries
(888)728-7228, x5166

Vennie Constant
Administrative Assistant, Christian Education
(888) 728-7228, x5460

Michael W. Purintun
Associate, Christian Education
Middle Governing Bodies
(888) 728-7228, x5192

Cristina Pitts
Spanish Language Curriculum Helpline
(800) 468-2398 
 
Carrie McCollough
English Language Curriculum Helpline
(888) 728-7228, x5522
 
Minjung Ko
Korean Language Curriculum Helpline 
(888) 728-7228, x5478

Resource Information

"Waiting for a Savior", the 2008 Advent devotional guide from Presbyterians Today (PT), is now available. PT, the PC(USA) magazine published with the goal “to make the church’s witness relevant to today’s Presbyterians,” offers this practical tool for individual, family, or group reflection. Call (800) 524-2612 and order item #1211608011. One copy: $3.00; 10 or more, $1.50. Free to Presbyterians Today subscribers.

In cooperation with Augsburg Fortress, Congregational Ministries Publishing presents the 2009 Vacation Bible School: Discovery Canyon, Explore the Wonders of the World! Kids will experience amazing activities, lasting friendships, and Bible adventures as they hear God’s Word, make friends and collect critters. Each critter is linked to a Bible verse and daily story. Call (800) 524-2612 and order item #978-0806662602, Discovery Canyon Starter Kit, PC(USA) version, $69.99.

Lent 2009 is an exciting new experience in community faith formation. Join individuals and congregations across the denomination as they study and celebrate the faith of the church using the official Lenten Bible study for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Alive to God in Jesus Christ. This I Believe series study guide from Witherspoon Press through Congregational Ministries Publishing allows congregations to incorporate themes from the book into congregational worship each week. Small group sessions are included with the book.