September 2024

Our Mission: Supporting lifelong faith formation in the home and congregation

A Message from Our President, Diane McGeoch

REMEMBERING AND CELEBRATING I was 13 years old in 1969 when the first moon landing happened. I remember vividly gathering around the TV to hear the words “The Eagle has landed” when the lunar module reached the moon’s surface. I remember also the words of Neil Armstrong “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” when he walked on the moon.

The Apollo program and moon landing happened because President John F. Kennedy laid out a vision in 1960 that we would put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. It was a bold statement, and there were many failures along the way as NASA worked to achieve this goal. Many teams of people with different specialties helped the moon landing become a reality.

The Christian Education Network is made up of many teams of people doing faith formation ministries in many ways. We lay out bold statements all the time in ministry, as we equip others to use their gifts to achieve goals. We are coming to an ending now as we complete our merger with the Association of Partners in Christian Education. September 30 will be the official date of the end of CEN.

With this ending, there is a new beginning as we partner with APCE to continue our mission of supporting faith formation leaders. APCE has provided a lot of affirmation and support as we’ve been through this process together. Renda Brinson and Tori Smit of APCE are also writing in this newsletter to provide words of welcome.

I wrote in the August newsletter about my feelings of gratitude to everyone who has been a part of the Christian Education Network. I wish I could thank each one of you in person. I know we will stay connected through APCE and other ways. There are other feelings, too, as there are when something ends and something new begins. I feel grief and loss, but also excitement and curiosity about what is to come.

Thank you all for being a part of the Christian Education Network of the ELCA. My life and ministry have been made richer because of our community. Instead of “The Eagle has landed,” the Network has landed in an exciting place that will launch us into our future.

Please join us in celebrating the Christian Education Network on Monday, September 30th, at 7 pm Eastern on Zoom. If you haven’t received the zoom link, please email our Membership Coordinator, Janet Renick, at cencoordinator@faithfulteaching.org

Let’s remember and celebrate together on this journey,

Deacon Diane McGeoch

Check out APCE (Association of Partners in Christian Education)

https://apcenet.org

If you are a paying member of the Christian Education Network, you will automatically become a member of APCE until your CEN Membership Renewal Date.

A LETTER FROM DR. TORI SMIT, APCE PRESIDENT:

Dear CEN Members, It is my great honor to be a part of this historic moment. We are so pleased to be able to welcome the Christian Education network (CEN) as we come together as one body. In an age where it seems that barriers and division rule the day it is a privilege to share our a coming together in unity.

Over my many years in APCE I can say with certainty that the richness and various perspectives of different faith traditions have blessed me and my ministry. In this my presidential year I have connected with various denominations from the APCE fold and have been enriched by these contacts and perspectives.

As we welcome you to the APCE fold, I am thrilled, not just by your presence but by the witness this act bears to the power of Christian Unity.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalm 133:1-3 NIV

In the name of the Lord, welcome! On behalf of APCE, welcome! From the bottom of my heart, welcome! We are so thankful that you are here and I pray every blessing upon us all as we move forward in ministry together. With you in Christ’s service, Dr. Tori Smit, APCE President

A LETTER FROM APCE PAST PRESIDENT, RENDA BRINSON

To all members of the Christian Education Network It has been my joy and privilege to have been an APCE representative to the group working with CEN on the agreement between CEN and APCE. We have been able to share in some of your grief that comes with transitions; we have also looked to our future affiliation with great anticipation and hope. The most wonderful part of the process is the affirmation that the passion and values of CEN and APCE are so aligned with one another.

I want to express my sincere welcome to each of you to the Association of Partners in Christian Education. I have been an APCE member for many years. From my first annual event, when I knew no one in a ballroom full of people to having served as President of the association, I have learned so much and developed wonderful relationships. The sincerity of the members of APCE in their desires to further the work of Faith Formation/Christian Education in the Church has been for me life and career changing. My prayer is that you will know that you are welcomed in APCE and will find colleagues and friends to learn from and to work with in our shared ministry.

Renda R. Brinson Past President APCE

Certified Christian Educator (PCUSA)

Director of Charlotte Resource Center

Presbytery of Charlotte

Center for Excellence in Christian Education

Union Presbyterian Seminary - Charlotte Campus

Will you pray with us?

Author of Salvation, write in us a new story.

Give us tools to create a new narrative,

one in which we seek Your love and justice in this world.

Write a new direction for our lives,

away from the busy-ness and cares of the world for success and stability,

and instead plot us towards ways of living Your compassion,

care and grace in the world.

Create new opportunities for us, O God,

to explore and live this adventure of life in bold and daring ways,

in which new insights may unfold for us.

Grant us the fullness of life by living for others,

as You taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves,

but most of all, may our story be about You,

about Your love for us,

and what Your love for us calls us to do.

In the name of Christ,

who writes the new ending and beginning, we pray.

Amen.

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Vision Statement

Building a community which equips, encourages and empowers those engaged in lifelong faith formation in a changing world, the CENetwork will:

Identify and evaluate resources and educational opportunities
Facilitate communication and conversations
Offer guidance, networking and mutual support
Nurture spiritual growth online and face-to-face

How You Can Support the Christian Education Network

You can become a member or make a one-time donation via PayPal on our website; or, you can designate The Christian Education Network as your charity through your Thrivent Choice Dollars.

CENetwork of the ELCA

PO Box 250009

Holly Hill, FL 32125