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    New York School of Ministry
             Winter Update
February 2015 
In This Issue
Contact Us
NY Conference UCC
5575 Thompson Road
DeWitt, NY 13214
 
For NYSOM information
315-446-3073 x16
Rev. Marjorie Purnine
 
For help registering
315-446-3073 x15
Patti Rodrigues

Important Dates
NYSOM Information Nights
March 2 and March 24; 7-8pm.
Email mpurnine@uccny.org if you'd like to join one of the sessions.
Foundations and Practice of  Pastoral Counseling
Web-conferenced Course: Saturdays: March 28,
April 18, May 16; 9:30-4:45.  Last day to register is
March 12.
Spring Learning Event: Small Churches Can Make A Big Difference
We'll gather on April 10-11 (dinner through dinner) at Notre Dame Retreat House, Canandaigua.  Registration deadline is March 25. 
To register, click here.
Word & Sacrament Spring Preaching Practicum
The Word & Sacrament Spring Preaching Practicum Session will be Saturday,
May 30, 2015 from 10-3 at the Amistad Center in DeWitt.
Fall Retreat:  A Sacred Conversation on Race
November 13-14 (dinner through dinner) at Christ the King Retreat Center, Syracuse.  Save the date!
From the Dean's Desk

  

 

On a cold afternoon last November, I was walking through the dry leaves near Skaneateles Lake, praying.  I was not alone. Thirty-five people were gathered for a deeply spiritual learning event on end of life issues, ably led by the Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs.  We explored political, legal, and cultural aspects of dying; we gained some practical tools; we confronted our feelings about our own deaths.  Tears and laughter were shared. One participant told us, "This was a wonderful experience for me! I leave in a better place and with more direction..."

 

One of the joys of my ministry is being able to offer such learning events.  Each fall and spring, folks from all over the Conference gather to worship, to gain resources, and to grow with one another. Each program is designed to meet a particular need in our congregations.  It is a different group each time, depending on the topic.  We've been meeting in Skaneateles for years, but with the closing of Stella Maris, we'll be trying different venues in the future.  I am delighted that this spring we'll be able to offer a program for small churches.  The Rev. Ann Kansfield will be our leader: she is funny, dynamic, full of ideas, and engaging.  You won't want to miss it.

 

With blessings,

Marjorie     

Spring Learning Event 2015: Small Churches Can Make A Big Difference

Registration is open for the Spring Learning Event, "Small Churches Can Make a Big Difference," which will take place on April 10-11 (Friday dinner through Saturday dinner), at Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua NY. 

 

The Rev. Ann Kansfield will lead sessions entitled:

  "Yes! Small churches do big things--stories of ministry in action"

  "How to grow your impact--discerning your mission, working through change"

  "But can we afford it?--building financially sustainable ministry for the future"

 

This is a learning event for everybody.  This event fulfills 7 hours toward the  continuing education requirements for authorized ministers, but it's not just for authorized ministers.  If you want to help your small church to engage in its community, care for its members, and share the good news of the gospel, come!  The cost is $115 for an overnight and $50 to commute.  The registration deadline is March 25. 

 

Click here for more information or to register. 

Click here for a pdf flyer to share.

Foundations & Practice of Pastoral Counseling

 

There's still time to register for our webconferenced course, Foundations and Practice of Pastoral Counseling, with Rev. Wayne Gustafson, D.Min

 

March 28; April 18, May 16 (9:30-4:45 with 1/2 hour for lunch)

 

In this course, Wayne Gustafson, a pastoral counselor and licensed mental health counselor, addresses the basics of counseling in a variety of situations.  No face to face meetings are required.  Students will be expected to have webcams (which can be purchased for $30 at stores like Target). 

Click here for syllabus.

 

The cost for NY Conference students is $250.00 for credit; $175.00 to audit;  $100.00 to repeat course audit. The cost for students outside the NY Conference is $275 for credit or $200 to audit plus the distance learning support fee of $69.00.  Click here for more information or to register.

Registration deadline is March 12.

NYSOM Information Nights

Does one of our courses look interesting?  Are you wondering about whether a certificate program is for you?  Are you unclear as to just what webconferencing is or uncertain about whether your computer can do it?  Join Marjorie on Monday, March 2, or Tuesday, March 24, between 7-8pm, from your home computer for a webconferenced information session.  She'll walk you through connecting to webex, if you need help, and answer questions about educational offerings.  If you're interested, contact Marjorie at mpurnine@uccny.org.  She'll send you an invitation to the session of your choice.

Helpful Documents at a Click

The Marks for Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers are useful for those preparing for authorized ministry (MIDs) and for licensed, commissioned, and ordained folks who need a tool to do self-assessment. Click here for the Marks in list form. Click here for the Marks in grid form. 

 

If you're a pastor, noticing a member of your congregation with gifts for ministry, if you're just beginning to discern a call to authorized ministry, or if you're just wondering about our programs, click here to see The New York School of Ministry Certificate Program Information. Click here for an application for the Christian Studies or the Christian Leadership Programs. For students enrolled in a certificate program and pastors who might be interested in supervising a student, click here for Supervised Ministry Information.

 

If you want to understand the authorization process, click here for Section 2 of the Manual on Ministry