Communities of Practice for Clergy and Faith Formation Leaders

Over the years, Communities of Practice have been an integral space of support, learning and collegiality for clergy and faith formation leaders. Currently, the SNEUCC convenes upwards of 40 communities of practice between clergy in an array of settings, and faith formation leaders, in particular, participants in our faith formation leadership program.  In order to best coordinate and support our communities of practice...   Read 2 min. read

If you have any questions regarding Clergy Communities of Practice, please reach out to Vanessa Cardinale (cardinalev@sneucc.org).  For Faith Formation communities of practice, you can complete this form: Faith Formation CoP interest form If you have any question regarding Faith Formation communities of practice, you can contact Debbie Gline Allen (glineallend@sneucc.org).

Becoming Legendary Here is a definition of a legacy church: A congregation that accepts that it has reached its maturity and that renewal is no longer possible. The congregation turns its focus and energy to building a legacy and completing its ministry faithfully and well.  This is a good and helpful definition, but it fails to completely capture the blessings and benefits of the legacy process. How about this...   Read 3 min. read

Noteworthy Resources

Book Recommendation from Rev. Terry Yasuko Ogawa

The SNEUCC ACM Team partnered with Dr. Frederick “Jerry” Streets on the research that informs this book. Hundreds of our clergy’s answers are represented in its findings...This is an important read for clergy, lay leaders, denominational stewards, and seminary and divinity school students and faculty as they engage in discerning the future needs of leaders of the church...Read 1.6 min. read

 Other Suggested Resources

• Over Coming Burnout--a new path to sustainable leadership in the church
• Reporting Financial Crime as a Matter of Stewardship--As program years start and churches seek to follow best practices for budgeting and all things financial, this article summarizes recent research on financial crime in churches. "About one-third of leaders said financial misconduct had taken place in their churches. Among those churches that experienced fraud, only a third filed a report with law enforcement." 

Becoming Accessible to All with Columbia Congregational Church The Columbia Congregational Church A2A (Accessible to All) team was formed in June of 2021 to look at making the church accessible to everyone... Read 5.3 min. read

More Than 200 Attend Justice Summit to Take on Politics as an Act of Faith

The 3rd Annual Justice Summit: Politics as an Act of Faith, presented by the Southern New England Conference's Center for Transformational Leadership, was held Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the campus of Wesleyan University...   Read 5.5 min. read

Justice Summit Related Resources

• Access recordings of Justice Summit worship, keynote address, and workshops here
• Find resources about embracing politics as an act of faith here
• Worship and workshop materials can be found here
• Visit Our Faith Our Vote to check your voter registration

Faith Formation Leadership Programming

The SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program offers interactive, online classes for faith formation & youth ministry leaders, clergy, and anyone who is ministering to children and youth in the local church.  Find more information about FFLP and register anytime by visiting our webpage.

“Completing this program allowed me to shift from being a volunteer in faith formation to becoming an empowered and respected leader in my congregation.”  ~Teresa Waldron, Director of Christian Education & Faith Formation, First Congregational Church UCC, Lebanon, CT

Did you know?  You do not need to be on the path to Faith Formation Leadership Certification to take an FFLP class?  If you are interested in any of the class topics, you can register for just that one!  Click here and scroll down to 2024-2025 Classes.

SNEUCC Youth Retreat:  Peace in the Storm Nov. 8-10 at Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center Click here to register. Registration ends October 20.

SNEUCC Confirmation Retreat: Many Gifts, One Body Register soon!  These fill up quickly! Find more information on these retreats and the four weekends currently available here.

Our Whole Lives Facilitator Training Training for Middle & High School Curriculum Nov. 8-10, 2024 at Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center Click here for more information and to register. Registration ends October 8.