office of christian formation Archives

Camps and conferences stay positive during pandemic

Posted June 18th, 2020

Like most organizations, PC(USA)-affiliated camp and retreat centers were blindsided by the recent COVID-19 pandemic that has swept through the country and world over the past several months. Stay-at-home and social distancing orders struck the very heart and infrastructure of summer camp and retreat resident ministries. But amidst it all, associate for Christian Formation Brian Frick — who has oversight of PC(USA)-affiliated camps and retreats — sees positive outcomes for 2020 that hopefully carry over into 2021.

Faith formation at home

Posted June 5th, 2020

For decades, children whose clothing has caught fire have been taught by teachers and firefighters alike to stop, drop and roll.

Virtual camp that’s real fun

Posted June 1st, 2020

Five weeks ago, Joel Winchip, executive director of Presbyterian Church Camp & Conference Association (PCCCA), wasn’t sure what camps would be able to do about offering summer programming.

Returning to public worship

Posted May 5th, 2020

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has just released “Returning to Public Worship: Theological and Practical Considerations” for congregations and leaders in the midst of making decisions about how and when to return to public worship in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

A dead robin and a departed Pop-Pop

Posted May 1st, 2020

Presenting Thursday during a webinar sponsored by the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network, the Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner discussed what sociologists have labeled “the Bernie Effect,” natural bonds that can form between Millennials and people old enough to be their grandparents, or even great grandparents. What’s going on there resembles the way millions of young people were drawn to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, during his presidential runs in 2016 and 2020.

Older Adult Week begins Sunday

Posted April 29th, 2020

As president of the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network, Michele Hendrix has long been an advocate for the PC(USA)’s Older Adult Week Sunday, which falls on May 3 this year.

What to do about Vacation Bible School?

Posted April 27th, 2020

The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators will hold an encore Zoom chat, “What to do about Vacation Bible School,” at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. Part 2, a discussion around modifying traditional VBS because of COVID-19, was scheduled after a maximum of 100 people joined in last week’s call.

New COVID-19 QuickSheets available from youth workers, Christian formation ministries

Posted April 6th, 2020

With youth across the nation stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic, two new “Quicksheets” resources from the Presbyterian Youth Workers’ Association provide ideas for youth ministry leaders and parents that help young people to “look beyond themselves and love their neighbors while they’re at home.”

Reformed Theology 101

Posted February 24th, 2020

The mystery of the Reformed faith is not that God is unknowable — it’s that the unknowable God, from the Reformed perspective, has made God’s Self known.

Early arrivers put on their thinking caps

Posted October 15th, 2019

Thirteen of the 85 or so people who will be attending the national conference of the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network beginning Wednesday at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary got a jumpstart Tuesday by participating in a day-long Small Church Think Tank.