Last month, 3 educators from our presbytery attended the GLAPCE fall event at Lindenwood in Plymouth, IN. Enjoy their testimonies and save the date for next year Oct. 25-27th 2027. Learn more about GLAPCE
The Apostle Paul in both Romans and 1 Corinthians reminds us that we are one body. Every person with particular gifts for the good of all. Not one part is more important, not one part is less-all are needed. Recently I gathered with educators and pastors at Lindenwood Conference Center in Plymouth, IN for the annual retreat of GLAPCE (Great Lakes Association of Partners in Christian Education). It was wonderful to be with friends I hadn’t seen in a while and to make new friends. Those of us who have/are served/ing as educators in the PCUSA value both connections and collaboration. Our theme was on creating a culture of collaboration. Our leaders, Jennifer Barnes Lewis and Tom Brown, brought their personal experience as staff collaborators as well as how we might be more collaborative in our own settings. Those of us who serve as staff – pastors, educators, musicians, youth leaders and more – are more effective and better servants of Jesus Christ when we work toward creating a culture of collaboration in our churches. Paul reminds all of us this is what God intends – individually we have gifts, collectively we are better.
Additionally, having the opportunity to retreat from work for a few days in a beautiful setting was a wonderful gift – many thanks to the Discipleship Commission for their generous support! As Lay Pastor at Ottawa Presbyterian, I am with a congregation that is active and in many ways already collaborative. I look forward to seeing what the Holy Spirit might lead us to do together in the future!
Leslee Kirkconnell
Certified Christian Educator
Lay Pastor, Ottawa Presbyterian Church
GLAPCE was exactly what I needed for this moment in my ministry. I’m only a year into my position, and it was incredibly helpful to have an abundance of resources, both in physical materials and the wonderful group of fellow educators. Our presenters were engaging and what they shared was overwhelmingly applicable to my job. The spiritual retreat was rejuvenating, and I left with a prayerfully constructed vision for the second year in my position. I am so grateful to Jen and my new community of colleagues in Christ!
Lena Kennedy
Family Ministry Coordinator
Findlay First Presbyterian Church
The GLAPCE fall event at Lindenwood provided an opportunity to network, rest and learn more about collaboration in ministry. The weather was perfect and the time spent was just what I needed to connect with myself, the Spirit and ministry colleagues. I highly recommend this event for educators (paid or volunteer). I’ll be sharing more about the event topic during my report at our next presbytery meeting, Nov. 17th at Collingwood.
Jen Juhasz
Certified Christian Educator in the PC(USA)
Director of Faith Formation
Associate for Ministry Vitality MVP