One by one, and sometimes in pairs or trios, denominational partners of the Association of Partners in Christian Education rose Saturday to tell those attending APCE’s annual even in Chicago and online how they’re sustaining their faith communities, especially as pandemic obstacles to faith formation enter their third year.
During his engaging mini-plenary Friday, the Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka gave educators attending the annual event of the Association of Partners in Christian Education in Chicago a homework assignment: memorize Isaiah 50:4 and recite it to the folks back home if they ask what you learned at the “Circle of Faith” event of the organization formerly known as the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators.
To set the stage for her “Circles of faith, Circle of Empowerment” message from Hebrews 11:23-28 on Friday, the Rev. Dr. Lis Valle-Ruiz proclaimed during the recently renamed Association of Partners in Christian Education conference that attendees were going to experience the Holy Spirit throughout their whole body.
On Thursday the Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis recalled for the recently-renamed Association of Partners in Christian Education the scene — including tastes, smells and lasting impressions — of the first time she took communion when she was 7½ years old.
When the Rev. Dr. Susan Sharp Campbell, outgoing president of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE), first started attending the organization’s annual event in 1988, she knew right away that she “fit.”
During opening worship at the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators annual gathering, the Rev. Shannon Johnson Kershner asked some 500 participants gathered in person and 200 joining online to put on “their glasses of Imagination.”
Gina Yeager-Buckley began the conversation on “Why does the church need youth ministry” with the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association by asking participants to describe what their stories would have been like without it.
Looking for in-home faith practices for Lent? The Office of Christian Formation (OCF) has partnered with author and pastor Traci Smith and Chalice Press to offer her newest book, “Faithful Families for Lent, Easter & Resurrection” at half price.
Even with the COVID-related risks, delays and uncertainty that have surrounded the annual Association of Presbyterian Church Educators event, co-chair Candace Hill said what excites her the most about next week’s event is being with people who are close to her heart.
