February 2023
Our Mission: Supporting lifelong faith formation in the home and congregation
The Gift of LOVE Endowment Campaign
Extended One Week!

Friday, February 24 is the last day for our Endowment Campaign!

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Prayer Pause
God,

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Amen.
A Message from Our President, Diane McGeoch

NEW DIRECTIONS

I remember my first staff meeting in my first ministry role many years ago. I was asked to give a detailed accounting of all my meetings, tasks, programs, goals, priorities and so much more. I was not prepared to report on everything I had done or not done, and left the meeting feeling ashamed, guilty and drained. The atmosphere in that meeting was combative and competitive, every moment was to be accounted for, and every ministry needed to be defended in detail. Why are you spending time on that? What will be the result?

Slowly and gradually over time my perspective changed, and our ministry staff grew in our trust and accountability with one another. There is nothing wrong with accountability and reporting; it is important in ministry. But we had been in competition with one another, instead of focusing on how God was using each one of us in our roles. I didn’t realize it then, because I didn’t have the language or the practices fully in place, but I was learning about boundaries and discernment.


It is Well with My Soul
Boundaries and Discernment Resources





Buildingfaith is a wonderful resource from Virginia Theological Seminary. This article shares some very helpful and practical ways to maintain boundaries in ministry.

Some great resources from PRC with a wide variety of topics to use in your ministry!
Interview with Cindy Bunch,
author of “Be Kind to Yourself:
Releasing Frustrations and Embracing Joy”

Interviewer: Deacon Holly Shipley, Chapel Hill, NC





Cindy, you and I have known each other since childhood. What would you like our readers to know about you?

Your readers might be interested in knowing that I grew up American Baptist and studied at Northern Seminary. I recall that my first experience of praying the Apostle’s Creed was when visiting your Lutheran church as a teenager, and that we talked about the meaning of that creed afterward. These days I love the liturgy and attend an Episcopal church.

What led you to write the book “Be Kind to Yourself”?

After my beloved spiritual director, Marilyn Stewart, died I began reflecting on all that I had learned from her over the years. I felt a stirring to write. I planned some time away where I could concentrate on the writing and just started writing and waited to see what would come. And for readers who have a busy ministry and professional life but think they want to write, I would advise doing the same: get away and start writing. See what comes. After a few days, I was able to start creating outlines and structures for a larger book. I arranged and rearranged it a few times and eventually came up with a structure for the book as well as the theme of self-kindness.

Christian Education Network of the ELCA
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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



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Contact Us

CENetwork of the ELCA
PO Box 250009
Holly Hill, FL 32125