Dear friends,
One day, during my first call, a member spent the day in the church office helping the secretary sort files. I was writing a newsletter article, finishing a sermon, had a hospital visit to make and Hospice called to say someone had died. For many of us, that is just a typical day. My member was amazed at all that happened that most people never knew.
How true that is. How many hours do we spend behind the scenes shopping, planning, filling in, and other things that most people never know? That is just a day in the church life. But what if...?
What if you had someone to support you on those long days when half the teachers call off sick? What if you had a place to go to get input on curriculum instead of starting from scratch? What if you had project specialists for those areas that you may not like?
The good news is that you do! The Christian Education Network intentionally selected Colossians 2:2 as our theme verse...
...that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love...
We want to encourage and support you. But we also need you. We need you to let us know your needs and how we can support you. Our website is www.faithfulteaching.org. There, under the "About" tab, you will find you CEN leadership. Each region has a network advocate. Reach out and get to know them and let them get to know you.
In addition to the resources on our website, you can also find us as a Facebook page, a Facebook group and now, on Pinterest. The Facebook group is a great place to ask questions and seek ideas from more than 1000 individuals. Our Pinterest boards are growing daily and include 17 back-to-school pins. If you have an idea to share, just let us know. If you have a question, just ask.
There are a lot of people working behind the scenes to offer encouragement and support to those who dedicate their lives to faith formation. We are your team. You have been called to the ministry of education. It can be overwhelming. There is a lot to do. But the work you do is everlasting. Thank you for the hours you spend, the sleepless nights and tears shed, the frustrations, and the blessings.
Oh, and that member... she became a Synodically Authorized Lay Leader!
Blessings and joys on your journey,
Pastor Juli Lejman-Guy, President
CENetwork of the ELCA