Advocate AE 2025 by APCEnet.org

APCE ADVOCATE FEBRUARY 2025

APCE ADVOCATE

O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth Sing to the Lord; bless his name; tell of God's salvation from day to day. Declare the glory among the nations, GOD’S marvelous works among all the peoples.

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; (Psalm 96:1-4a NRSV)

I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19 NRSV)

And God who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Rev. 21:5 NRSV)

It is both wonderful and amazing the number of times scripture points us to a word of God that describes something new; a new Jerusalem, a new song, a new season They all affirm for us that the Lord we serve is fundamentally in the business of creation and re-creation. And while it might be a tad presumptuous to compare the changes at the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE )with the new Jerusalem of scripture, still, we are called, and excited to be a part of God’s creative actions.

By now, you have likely heard about the new strategic plan adopted last fall by the APCE Coordinating Council. You will have received communications about the new priorities and structures of this organization that we set in motion at the APCE 2025 Annual Event in Memphis. We have introduced the new moderators of the new Mission Teams and Advisory Councils, as well as installed our new Executive Council leaders and Nomination Committee members

Perhaps most exciting of all is that we now have a new Executive Director in the person of Thom Cunningham, who was also installed at the Annual Event.

It is indeed, an exciting time for the Association of Partners in Christian Education!

As we consider these changes, and more importantly, the changes that lie ahead as we live into this new structure, it is easy to assume that these are administrative changes that are largely unrelated to the way we go about our mission. The old adage ‘the more things change, the more they remain the same’ could easily be invoked at this moment. However, we believe that what we are embarking on here is the Lord’s work, and that it stems from a vision and a plan to more effectively hear and respond to God’s call in these days

The only reason for a Christian organization to undergo these changes is so that we, as individuals and a body, might serve God and God’s people in a more meaningful and effective manner. Without this, there really is no point. It is our prayer that these changes will accomplish exactly this; that APCE will continue to be a responsive, faithful and useful organization Our Mission statement says:

The mission of APCE is to connect, enrich, empower and sustain persons who serve in and advocate for lifelong faith formation and educational ministries in the Reformed family of churches, partnering and collaborating with others in witness to Christ’s ministry of love, justice and peace.

As we embrace this new thing, we are profoundly aware of the simple reality that new things are just that: new. New ways to be learned, new habits to become ingrained, new structures to respond to and new perspectives to experience. None of these will come naturally, all of them will require effort, and more importantly, practice.

As we move forward together, we ask for patience and understanding as people adapt to new routines and learn new skills. Likewise, we ask for understanding as things might seem a bit awkward at first. We particularly need good humor as together we move forward into this new chapter in the life of our community.

Most of all we ask for your prayers. We believe this to be a holy act; a step of faith and even a going forth into the wilderness. None of this can happen apart from the guidance and presence of our Lord, of Jesus our Saviour, and especially with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for us; for wisdom and faithfulness, for guidance and courage, and for discernment and grace. We remember most profoundly Moses’ plea to God at Mount Sinai: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here ” (Exodus 33:15 NRSV) If the Lord is not present in this journey, the journey is not worth taking.

We are thankful that these new shoots that are sprouting are rooted in the faithfulness of all who have gone before us. For more than fifty years APCE has worked diligently to discern the leading of the Spirit, even as we read the signs of the times This is not the first re-structuring, nor will it likely be the last As we consider this chapter of our lives together, we are aware of and thankful for all who have gone before. Truly we are standing on the shoulders of giants! We are profoundly grateful for that great cloud of witnesses who bear witness to lives of faithfulness and love.

And most especially, we are thankful for you, the current APCE members. We are thankful for your care and your interest, for your ministry and for your support May God richly bless us all as we move forward together.

With you in Christ’s service,

Sandy Safford, APCE Co-President, Tori Smit, APCE Co-President, And

Thom Cunningham, APCE Executive Director

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Thank you Von Clemans and Anne Wilson for all your leadership in this transition. THANK YOU APCE'S WONDER WOMAN Kathryn Campbell FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE. WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!!!

Why APCE Membership Matters

Harry and Esta Brackbill farmed in eastern Pennsylvania from 1910 - 1965. They both had Mennonite backgrounds and Harry was a teacher before taking up farming. His Bishop refused to let him teach drama in his classes. Disgusted, he left the Mennonite church. Esta’s sister had joined the Leacock Presbyterian Church in Paradise (yes, there is such a place) so the family became Presbyterian and raised their 11 children in that church. One of those children was called to ministry and served Presbyterian congregations his entire career, as well as two grandsons, a granddaughter, two great granddaughters, another granddaughter who is a certified educator and past APCE president, and a great granddaughter who is a candidate for ministry studying Public Theology in her final year at Union Presbyterian Seminary. Please welcome Cheryl Homsher, Beth Appel, Esta Jarrett, Eileen Best, and Nickelle Johnson, who was president of GLAPCE prior to entering seminary. They are the offspring of a family who valued education and creativity and who held their faith deeply, all nurtured by the one Leacock Presbyterian Church. They are all members of APCE and present with us this week

Thank you to the leaders of the 2025 Annual Event in Memphis!

Thank you, Tatayana and Jaime!

Many thanks to our 2025 Event Co-chairs, Tatayana Richardson and Jaime Staehle, for their clear vision, boundless enthusiasm, and tireless efforts in leading the 2025 Annual Event. For the past two years, they have dreamed, planned, and planned some more to bring this Event to fruition. Jaime and Tatayana have worked together, each bringing their gifts and personalities to complement each other and to draw others into the experience they visioned. APCE is forever grateful for their leadership in an experience that created A Stirring in our Souls and invited us to join them in Wrestling with God and Church Toward a More Beloved Community.

Thank you for a job well-done!

Thank you Local Chairs

On behalf of the APCE Annual Events team and the entire organization, we invite you to join us in thanking the AMAZING Local Co-Chairs for this event. We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the local planning chairs: Stephanie Patton, KC Warren, and Lucy Cummings. These three have been nothing short of phenomenal, coordinating every local detail with precision and creativity.

From ensuring seamless transportation and organizing our fantastic volunteers to handling signage and supplies, their expertise has been on full display. Their efforts have not only kept things running smoothly but have also made the event feel distinctly Memphis. The entertainment has been a true highlight, with unforgettable performances that bring the city’s rich culture to life. Thanks to their thoughtful planning, the heart and soul of Memphis shone through in ways that will surely be remembered

Because of Stephanie, KC, and Lucy, the broader vision of the event was able to flourish, knowing that every local detail was in the most capable hands. Their dedication, organization, and brilliant ideas have made all the difference in creating an experience that is both meaningful and memorable. We are deeply grateful for everything they’ve done to make this gathering such a success Thank you, Stephanie, KC, and Lucy, for making this event extraordinary!

We also want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the local volunteers who have helped throughout the week From setup to cleanup to "directing traffic", these ke this event run smoothly. Their nk them!

APCE Annual Event 2025

Worship and Plenary art

Some needed to do somethings with their hands to help them worship

Endowment Mitch Phillips

Table decoration Main Ballroom Ben Brody, AE Music Director

APCE Annual Event 2025

Rev Jeff Cho, Keynote Speaker interviewed with Online Hosts

Worship & Plenary Art

SCRAPCE Regional Dinner Table deocartions

Peggy Jean Craig, Worship Leaderr

Saralee Morris & Jami Vandock

APCE Annual Event 2025

Dancing the night away

Rev Dr Almeda Wright Keynote Speaker

Opening Celebration

Tori Smit

New Certified Christian Educator Kara Wheeler

CERTIFICATION CLASS AT APCE Annual Event 2025

Before the APCE Annual event began in Memphis, a group of educators pursuing certification and CRE status, came together at the Peabody hotel and online for a course sponsored by APCE on Worship and Sacraments in the Reformed tradition. Class participants studied liturgy and the order of worship, the theology of baptism and the Lord's Supper, and ecumenical and liturgical movements through history. Class activities included designing a lesson on baptism or communion to teach to various age groups, some of which involved a “pretend baptism” of a stuffed duck, a science experiment to help preschoolers understand baptism, and a mock discussion with a church session regarding Communion. The class will culminate with participants designing a worship service to include baptism and communion. Through discussion of many articles and books, active learning, and the follow up assignment, participants have gained a deeper understanding of reformed worship and sacraments while also expanding their network of fellow educators and building friendships that will continue beyond the classroom and the APCE annual event!

By: Lisa Witherspoon

APCE Annual Event 2025

Saralee Morris holding a picture of Miatta Wilson

Miatta Wilson Enrich Educator of the Year

Zeta Touchton Lamberson

Sustain Lifetime Achievemnet Award

Roberta Dodds-Ingersoll

Sustain Lifetime Achievement Award

An introduction and Invitation to the 2026 Annual Event

In a pluralistic society where people are at odds with each other, anger lingers beneath the surface, and many are paralyzed about how to move forward, we’d like to invite you to conversations about how to bridge the divide that separates us. Love is not a sedentary word, it requires action. When we ask ourselves whom we love we should also look inward to how we love Love isn’t something we collect for ourselves, but an action lived out in how we express it to others through serving, understanding, and growing together despite our differences.

The APCE Annual Event will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania January 21-24, 2026, either in person or via Annual Event Online. Each day of the conference we will address a different topic of love How to love God, how to love self, and how to love neighbor.

The Annual Event will be held at the Wyndam Grand in downtown Pittsburg, PA. Join us for, Bridging the Gap - Love God, Love Self, Love Neighbor. We hope you will join us for the 2026 APCE Annual Event!

Lucy Jefferies and John Ryan, Co-Chairs of the 2026 Annual Event

Lent: Knowledge and Experience by Rodger

Nishioka

Educators, test your Lent knowledge!

The word “lent” comes from: 1.

Old German “lentin” or “lintin” referring to the residue from wool sweaters. a.

Old French term “lentienne” meaning “to give temporarily to another ” b

Old English word “lencten” meaning “spring season ” c Greek word “lentios” meaning “to withhold.” d.

The 40 days of the season of Lent reflect… 2.

The 40 days and nights in the ark during Noah and the flood. a.

The 40 years of the Hebrews wandering searching for the promised land. b.

The 40 days Moses spent on Mt. Sinai receiving the 10 commandments from God c.

The 40 days Jesus was in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. d.

The spiritual practices most associated with Lent are: 3.

Prayer, reading the Bible, self-flagellation. a.

Prayer, fasting, giving to the poor b.

Prayer, pilgrimage, abstaining from eating meat on Fridays c.

Prayer, daily meditation, abstaining from sexual activity d

John Calvin, the great Reformed theologian, writes in his Institutes of the Christian Religion that Lent is… 4

A profound and moving moment when we join with Christ in his suffering. a.

A superstitious observance in which the vulgar imagine they are performing some service to God. b.

An opportunity for the people to be taught the perils of sin and to repent so as to be presented pure on the day of the judgment c.

A season of abstinence whereby God’s gift of liberty is employed as a sign of conscience and character. d.

Answers: 1 c., 2 d., 3 b., 4 b.

Several years ago I was visiting with a friend who was serving as a university chaplain She talked about the distinction between “knowledge” and “experience ” She said she has many bright students who have all kinds of knowledge about God but what they are yearning for…desperate for…is an experience of God. This quiz is about our knowledge of Lent. That is important. But Lent is more an experience. It’s walking with others as we journey with Jesus yet again to the cross and the empty tomb. We are the church’s educators. We are experts at shaping lives through experiences. This Lent let’s gift our beloved of all ages with the experience of journeying with Jesus

Rodger Nishioka serves as the senior pastor of the Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas.

Yoga as Lenten Spiritual Practice

By Donna Chase

Lent is a time of reflection and repentance in the Christian tradition and for a growing number of people it is also a time of engaging not only our hearts and minds but also our bodies in spiritual growth. Churches are helping folks embrace faith more wholistically by offering opportunities to acknowledge their strength and their frailty, to incorporate embodied, contemplative practices into daily living

Over the past several years here at FPC Greensboro, we have offered Lenten yoga as one of these embodied practices. It has grown from a Lenten practice to a yearround offering for those seeking both self-reflection and deeper community. As we journey together through life’s joys and challenges yogis say the practice grounds them for the week and provides a means for taking care of both their physical and spiritual being Others say focusing on the present moment through breathwork and poses helps them to feel more at peace and reduce stress. The practice is also a very helpful way to process grief and loss.

A few ideas for Lenten yoga at your church or for your personal Lenten practice:

Setting an intention or choosing a Lenten word to focus on

Creating a Lenten mantra or breath prayer

Beginning or ending the practice with scripture, a quote from a spiritual thinker or spoken prayer

Spending time after your practice to journal, meditate, pray or write

Taking your yoga practice outside to soak in God’s creation

Donna Chase is the Director of Christian Formation at First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, NC.

Blessing the Body by Jan Richardson

This blessing takes one look at you and all it can say is holy

Holy hands.

Holy face

Holy feet.

Holy everything in between

Holy even in pain

Holy even when weary.

In brokenness, holy

In shame, holy still

Holy in delight

Holy in distress.

Holy when being born

Holy when we lay it down at the hour of our death

So, friend, open your eyes (holy eyes).

For one moment see what this blessing sees, this blessing that knows how you have been formed and knit together in wonder and in love

Welcome this blessing that folds its hands in prayer when it meets you; receive this blessing that wants to kneel in reverence before you: you who are temple, sanctuary, home for God in this world

Jan Richardson

Easter Alleluia Butterflies!

by Laurie Camp Juarez

One year at our church, I decided to jump on board with a tradition that has evidently been around for a long time...but I had never done! It's called “burying alleluias”. You can google the idea and learn a lot of different ways to interpret it or celebrate it from different denominations. I thought it was a neat visual for the kids to remind them what Lent represents – getting ready for the death and resurrection of our Lord Many people “give up” something for Lent or make a promise to “do” something. So, in that respect, “burying” our alleluias is symbolic of us refraining from praise and rejoicing during this time period of fasting and self examination while we prepare for the joyful celebration on Easter!

So, at the beginning of Lent, I gave them a piece of paper that had the word "alleluia" written on it very lightly They were to trace the letters and decorate the paper I also gave them (and the adults in our contemporary service) the alleluia butterflies that Illustrated Ministries sold that year. They were beautiful! They colored them during the service, Sunday school, or at home and returned them to me. Many churches release live butterflies but that was not an option for us in a northern state (not without harming the butterflies). But our paper butterflies would fly just as well!

Once they were all done with their words and their butterflies, we rolled them up and taped them shut. Then, on the first Sunday of Lent, during our children’s message, they put all of their papers on a small parachute that we had. I explained Lent, what fasting means, why people give up things or add positive things to their lives during that time to become closer to God At the end of the message, before we prayed, we rolled up the parachute (or cocoon as we later named it) – not to be opened until Easter.

Easter morning, during my children's message, I placed the parachute...or "cocoon", in the middle of our circle. I reminded them what was inside and why we put it there Next, I told them that we were going to make our alleluia butterflies FLY! And as they were flying up in the air, they (and all of the congregation) were to shout alleluia! Because Jesus is risen, the tomb is empty and we can, and should, Praise the Lord! Rejoice!

We "made them fly" three times and then closed in prayer. I let them take a blank alleluia butterfly and crayons back to their seat.

I was a little nervous doing this because it isn't your normal children's message...but I had many adults come up to me afterwards and say how much they enjoyed it. I think adults need an excuse to shout alleluia just as much as kids.

Laurie Camp Juarez is a Chrstian Educator and curriculum writer as well as a mom and wife to her pastor husband.

From the Cumberland Presbyterian Church: A Path through Lent

by Elinor Brown, Discipleship Team Leader

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Photo by silversea on Unsplash

Renda’s Resources

A new year is a wonderful time to.look at new resources.

First on my list is a new Bible study that the author Jeff Cover directed me to. I think that this is a study that speaks to our time. Going Public- How Biblical People Help Us Find Our Voice for Public Life. Through the lives of 16 Biblical characters, the author shows the journey of each from receiving their call, to becoming an advocate, to coming forward to speak and act for God in often unstable situations We are all familiar with Moses’ reluctance to become God’s leader and how he learned his true calling. You will see Amos set in enemy territory to speak of the truth of the Kingdom of Judah. Paul, who had always been a good speaker and leader, changing his message after encountering God. Each lesson ends with Questions for Reflection and Discussion An appropriate study for Adult Sunday School or any small group study.

Garden in the Desert – How Adaptive Church Can Lead a Whole New Life by Michael Adam Beck and Kenneth H. Carter, Jr This would e a good book for a church staff or leaders to read together, as they look to the future of their congregation. The book begins with a description of leadership styles in the church today and possible future models. It gives steps to discerning what to discard and how to creating out of the past. There are chapters on how innovations, as well as permission to recover the theology of failure – not all new ideas will work as we hope A book to be read slowly, taking time to look at the questions and the guidance provided as leaders in the church. Get copies for your session and read for each monthly meetings or create a retreat around the chapters and begin to envision new life for your congregation.

Two additional studies for adults that would work in any small group setting or Sunday School.

First, by James Howell is Everywhere is Jerusalem –Experiencing the Holy Then and Now. Readers are led to places of meaning to the Christian faith. Places to go include Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Montgomery, Alabama. Biblical stories are placed where they occurred, and others are in the communities that connect with faith There is a book, leader’s guide and DVD for the six-week study.

The second caught my eye initially because it was on a book of the Bible that few write about. Finding Peace through Humility – A Bible Study in the Book of Judges is by Joel Muddamalle. There are few studies on this much overlooked book The study is to help the participants learn to rely on God’s limitless resources and how to invite more of his strength and peace into your life. The key to being human in today’s world is to learn the place of humility in our lives and especially in our relationship with God.

One more to mention – maybe just for your enjoyment! The Year of Living Biblically by A. J. Jacobs; this book had been on the to read stack for a while, It is a great reminder of how unusual some of the Old Testament and New Testament rules for life sound in our modern world. What would we learn about God, Scripture and ourselves if we tried to live them out That is what the author did (pulling along his reluctant wife and friends into the experiment). The standards are hard to deal with today but with trial, error, making ancient rules work today, you may learn a great deal about your faith, yourself and God.

Awards and Scholarships

The former Awards and Scholarships Ministry Team, again, congratulates our awardees that inspire us in educational ministry. Those leaders among us at the 2025 annual event in Memphis, who will be sharing their motivations for how they were inspired in Christian Formation, include: Miatta Wilson for ENRICH-Educator of the Year along with Zeta Touchton Lamberson and Roberta DoddsIngersoll. Our new structure encompasses awards within the Empower Team Leadership Council. With all teams doing visionary work during the first quarter, we ask that you pray for God’s will for our ministries. If you have questions, please contact Empower Co-Moderators Lisa Watts or Mark Lampley at awards@apcenet org

Governance Ministry Team by Randall McGee, Moderator

I am excited about the new structure for APCE with an executive director. I am also excited that Thom Cunningham has been called to this new position. I have had the privilege to serve with him in APCE over the last couple of years I know he is going to serve in this new position with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.

As soon as our new structure was adopted the Governance Ministry team essentially “went out of business.” The tasks that had been the responsibility of our team became the responsibility of the transition teams. I am so thankful for how Anne Wilson and Von Clemans along with all their all their team members have embraced the mountain of tasks involved in bringing the new structure to life

I had the privilege of serving on the Governance Team for a couple of terms. I have been the moderator for the last two years. Our ministry has almost always been behind the scenes. We tried to do our best to make sure all the other teams have the people they need to do their ministry. I am sure that all the members of the Governance Team, past and present, would join me in thanking everyone who answered the call to apply and serve on a ministry team over the last decade.

I also want to thank anyone who ever served on the Governance Team. Our minsitry was important. Sometimes it was a bit tedious. Occasionally it was challenging. But you answered the call to do it.