Student shares first experience at APCE Annual Event

M.A.C.E. student Sonjia Lee shares her reflections on attending the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) 2017 Annual Event in Denver, Colorado.

I attended my first APCE Annual Event last week in Denver. The event theme was “God with Us in the Chaos.” This was my first time in Denver and I was excited about both the conference and the opportunity to tour the Mile High City. The conference provided resources for assisting educators in designing and implementing programs and activities to enhance Christian education. Given the current climate in the nation, the theme was very relevant and timely. There was a strong focus on youth education and utilizing technology to facilitate learning. I participated in a workshop entitled “Connect: Equipping Parents in Their role as Primary Faith-Nurturers.” The workshop stressed the important influence that parents and spiritual leaders have on the lives of children and explored ways to equip parents for their role as primary faith nurturers. The workshop provided a detailed framework for conducting a three-week “Connect” series of education components that include components covering child faith development, rituals and traditions, and strategies to address questions children may ask regarding Christian concepts. The workshop leader and UPSem alumna Jenna Campbell (M.A.C.E.’05) provided an impressive list of resources to facilitate learning. The resources were colorful and kid-friendly, with images reflecting the diversity of God’s family. Here’s a list of some of the books that come highly recommended by the workshop leader:

–       Children of God Storybook Bible by Desmond Tutu. Zonderkids, 2010.

–       Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children. Charlesbridge, 2007.

–       God’s Paintbrush by Sandy Eiseneberg Sasso. Jewish Lights Publishing, 1992.

–       Making a Home for Faith by Elizabeth F. Caldwell. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2007.

–       Real Kids, Real Faith: Practices for Nurturing Children’s Spiritual Lives by Karen Marie Yust. Jossey-Bass, 2004.

The complete book list can be obtained by contacting Jenna Campbell.

Another highlight of the event was the plenary address delivered by Reverend Jon Brown. He spoke on the theme “Seeking Refuge in the Chaos.” His words were very inspiring as he encouraged the listeners to envision the mountains surrounding the city as “a place to rest in the curve of God’s smile.” He appealed to the participants to work toward creating spaces for peace and freedom in our churches and communities. He also encouraged church leaders who find themselves exhausted and drained by the work to strive to make churches places that we can fall in love with again and again and again.

All in all, the APCE conference was a rich and rewarding experience. I look forward to attending again in the near future.