Christian Formation News

Community Circle: Disability Inclusion

September 10, 2024 at 1-2pm Eastern
This Community Circle will be an opportunity to talk about how to be more intentional to include people with disabilities in our faith communities so that all feel they belong. Rev. Sarah VanderZee McKenney and Rev. Deborah Huggins join us for this conversation as we explore concrete practices and learn about resources. Register Here.

 

Christian Formation Week Resources (September 8-14, 2024)

This page has resources to help you plan and celebrate Christian formation in your context. Liturgy resources, blessings around a new school year, faith practices at home, bible presentations to children, social media graphics and so much more. Many of these resources are also available in Spanish.

 

Fall Cohorts

Take a look at the cohorts being offered for leaders this Fall in partnership with APCE, PYWA, POAMN, and UKIRK. These 6-week cohorts will begin the week of October 14 and conclude the week of November 18. Registration open September 23 – October 4.

Youth Sunday Worship Resources

Presbyterian Youth and Triennium (PYT) in partnership with Presbyterian Youth Workers Association (PYWA) have been busy creating 6 new, free Orders of Worship resources that you can use anytime you want to get youth involved in leading, planning preparing for worship.

Children’s Ministry Beyond the Church Walls

Do you find yourself wishing for more children in your church on Sunday mornings? Instead of hoping they come to you, consider expanding your church’s imagination to include the local school. Here’s a practical idea to bring this vision to life!

Christian Nationalism Wakelet

This resource list is a place to start for resources for reading, discussion, and reflection on the topic of Christian Nationalism.

New Way Podcast

Featuring Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin, the Project Coordinator at Around the Table, this podcast explores what it’s like to parent and live out a faith-filled life at home. Episode 1 – Modeling Lives of Faithful Transparency and Episode 2 – The Gift and Challenge of Parenting in the Faith

READ * PRAY * WONDER * PLAY

Each month two new at Home guides for a Flyway children’s book are produced in partnership with Presbyterian Publishing Corporation (PPC). There are now a dozen available in English and Spanish, you find them all listed here.

Also, subscribe to the Around the Table blog for the latest updates.

PCCCA / Campfire Collective Annual Conference

November 10-15, 2024 Zephyr Point Conference Center on Lake Tahoe
REFRAME: Growing Leaders through Listening, Learning and Responding – this will be an enriching conference that will invite outdoor ministry staff and volunteers on a journey of learning, listening, and responding with a spirit and intention of growing leaders with and among us. More information here.

New Opening Doors to Discipleship Module

Created in partnership with APCE Opening Doors to Discipleship odtd.net is a wealth of leadership training resources! Take a look at the new Queer Theology videos and resources that are a part of the Queer Theology module. Coming soon…Liberation Theology, and Womanist Theology.

New Expressions for Older Adult Ministry Module

Created in partnership with POAMN, Expressions for Older Adult Ministry has a new module “Ministry with LGBTQIA+ Older Adults.” This video and questions can help reflect on what aging people of diverse identities have experienced in church and society and explores practical steps churches and people of faith might take to provide meaningful engagement and care.

Emergency Games

New from PYWA, looking for a quick activity? For these games, all you need are playing cards, dice, and the instructions. Download them here.

Presbyterian Publishing Updates

 

The 226^th General Assembly action on new Presbyterian Curriculum

CF-01, was approved as part of the consent agenda and recommends the “development of educational resources for faith formation for congregational use and to meet the needs of the small church,” and asks that a “concrete proposal” for resource development, funding, implementation and staffing be presented at the next General Assembly. Article from Presbyterian Outlook.

Season of Peace Resources

September 8 – October 6, 2024 is the Season of Peace. The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program has several resources to help you plan.

Presbyterian Hunger Program – Young Adult Changemakers

This journal is packed with information and ideas about confronting violence, seeking asylum, climate advocacy, leadership, and planting seeds. 

Eastern Europe Partnership Network (EEPN) Toolkit

This toolkit offers resources for learning and worship, suggested contacts for connecting to the network, and resources for short-term mission and study trips to the region.

Korea Peace Resources

This webpage provides easy access to Korea peace material from the denomination. It includes policies, resources, history, ways to engage and connect, multi-media, and partners.

Young Adult Advocacy Conference

Jesus and Justice: Believe! Pray! Act! October 18-20, 2024 for college students and seminarians at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte through the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness.

Being Faithful with Money

A Guide for Families with Children from Special Offerings, faith conversations with children, what is giving and why do we do it, faith vocabulary, tips and resources.

Guide for Mental Health Ministry

Churches and pastors are often the first line of defense for individuals and families seeking support and resources as they live with serious mental illness and navigate a complex, overwhelming and fragmented mental health system in the U.S. This guide can help to guide your congregation. 

The PC(USA) Election Center

A resource for Presbyterians to learn about their elected officials and candidates and to get other helpful information related to voting.

Queering the Bible

Queering the Book of Acts from Justice Unbound. Queering the Bible aims to create biblical commentaries through the lens of queerness and transness. Each series is written by queer and trans people of faith from all different backgrounds and creeds.

How to Rent Well: A Guide to Help Congregations Rent Well

Mid councils and congregations exploring innovative uses of land and property will find these “How to” guides developed by Rooted Good valuable for renting and leasing property, working with a property developer, and understanding the tax implications of new partnerships.

Church Video License (CVLI)

The most cost effective and convenient ways for churches and other ministry organizations to protect themselves from the possibility of being fined for illegal use of Videos. The license provides a comprehensive copyright compliance solution.

Christian Formation Week – September 8-14, 2024

Resources to help you plan here.

Season of Peace – September 8 – October 6, 2024

Resources to help you plan here.

Community Circle: Disability Inclusion – September 10, 2024

At 1-2 pm Eastern. Register Here

Spiritual Formation and Older Adults Online Certification Course

September 25 – October 30, 2024 offered through the Older Adult Ministry Certificate Program of The Center of Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary. More information here.

Faith Formation Leader Connection Resource Zoom

September 5 at 1 pm Eastern or September 17 at 8 pm Eastern Register Here. 
A time to share what’s new, what’s in season, and ask what you are looking for. One registration link with two times to choose from, a daytime or evening meeting.

Evangelism Conference – October 3-5, 2024

A Lifestyle That Exudes Justice, Presbyterian Center, Louisville, KY. More information here.

World Communion Sunday – October 6, 2024

Peace & Global Witness Offering resources for worship, children, youth, adults and intergenerational.

Community Circle: Small Church

Oct 10, 2024 at 7–8 pm Eastern and Nov 13, 2024 at 1–2 pm Eastern, Register Here.

PCCCA / Campfire Collective Annual Conference – November 10-15, 2024

Zephyr Point Conference Center on Lake Tahoe. More information here.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium July 28-31, 2025

Mark your calendars! The event will be in Louisville, KY. Watch this site for more news.