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Our Latest News

The LifeSaving Church

3/17/2023

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Register by clicking the photo or using this link.
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Open Enrollment Year Round

2/7/2023

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The School for Ministry is delighted to offer enrollment at any time year round for students. If you discern a call to ministry, we'd love to help connect you with your calling. Apply here. 
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January Intensive with Yvonne Gilmore

12/29/2022

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Enrollment for 2023 Cohort now open

8/15/2022

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Is God asking you to do something? Learn something? BE something?
The School for Ministry can help. Find out more about our program and apply today. 
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Graduation Celebration!

6/14/2022

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Summer Intensive

6/1/2022

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Student Requirements for Summer Intensive

5/5/2022

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School for Ministry are required to do the following for our Summer Intensive, There is a Balm.
For Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb Lewis' presentation For the Love, Minister to Yourself:
  1. You will receive a link to download Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now by Walter Brueggemann. Please be aware that the download will come with a time limit and download the book as soon as possible.
  2. Visit and read: https://divinity.duke.edu/initiatives/clergy-health-initiative
  3. Follow "The Nap Ministry" on Instagram or Facebook
  4. Download a meditation app like The Calm App or Headspace
  5. If possible, know the status of your health. This information will not be shared but it is important that you have a recent, accurate assessment of your physical and psychological health.
  6.  Be ready to share an example of something you enjoy doing
  7. Have a candle and pillow available for use during the presentation
For Rev. Dr. Molly Carlson's presentation Boundary Awareness
  1. You will receive a link to the download Sustaining Ministry by Sondra Wheeler. Please be aware that the download will come with a time limit and download the book as soon as possible.
  2. ​Have a copy of your denomination's code of ethics for clergy with you. Disciples' Code of Ethics in various languages can be found here. The UCC Ministerial Code is found here.
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Graduation date set!

4/7/2022

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Fall 2022 Enrollment is Open

3/28/2022

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The School for Ministry is now accepting applications to join the 2022 Cohort as Fall Enrollment Students. New students will fulfill the academic requirements for the year by enrolling in Theology 1 with the entire Cohort from Aug. 22- Oct. 16 and then immediately enrolling in Overview of the Bible from Oct. 17-Dec. 
Students who enroll before the Summer Intensive on June 21-23 will participate with the 2022 Cohort in that experience. Students who wait to join the Cohort until the August class will be required to watch recordings of the Summer Intensive and write a reflection paper on the experience.
May 15 is the deadline for those who wish to join the 2022 Cohort before the Summer Intensive.
July 1 is the deadline for those who wish to join the 2022 Cohort in August.
Applications for the School for Ministry can be found here. The Letter of Recommendation form is here.
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What a Joy!

11/23/2021

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​A reflection on the School for Ministry Internship Experience
by Vicky Woolridge, Graduate of the School for Ministry, 2019 Cohort

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What a joy it has been for me to serve as a ministerial intern at Central (Christian Church, Decatur, IL). When I first talked with Michael about this possibility months ago and before I started in August, I anticipated that I would learn and grow and be given opportunities to serve in new ways. I was expecting to have a great experience. All of these things became a reality.
What I hadn’t anticipated was just how wonderful and fulfilling this work would be. I have been surprised over and over during these past three months how often I have felt like I was “right where I was called to be”. I experienced this when I was privileged to sit on the chancel steps for the Children’s Message with Blair and her mom or dad and we shared a few moments in God’s presence.
I experienced this when I proclaimed the words of welcome at the communion table and offered the words of institution that ground our faith in Jesus Christ.
I experienced this when our small group gathered each Monday night in October to share our faith stories and support one another in the holy work of sharing faith with our children. We created safe and sacred space as we lit a candle each week with the words, “God is with us”.
And, I also experienced it as I was humbled and honored to stand before the congregation and share a word that God had placed on my heart to preach.
I am grateful for each of these experiences that surprised me by affirming my call to ministry. For me, my initial call to ministry came more than fifty years ago. I was twelve years old, attending church camp at Walter Scott, and clearly sensed God’s call for me to become a minister.
I followed this call and completed my bachelor’s degree in religious studies. Throughout my life I have strived to grow in my faith, knowledge, and commitment to serving God. Although I did not follow the path of attending seminary and becoming an ordained minister, I know that my lifetime of work with children and families has been my ministry.
When the invitation to participate in the regional church’s School for Ministry was extended to me three years ago, I quickly said “yes”, even though I was unsure of where that work might lead me. This internship has been the culminating experience of this program. After completing the program, I will be qualified and eligible to pursue the process of becoming a commissioned
minister.
I have loved theologian Fredrich Buechner’s affirmation that:
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
It is at this intersection where we can answer our call to serve. I have experienced this “place” during my internship. I would like to thank Michael for his guidance and support as he empowered me and trusted me to take leadership roles in worship. Every time we had our weekly meeting, I came away with a question to ponder and a new perspective or understanding.
I am also grateful for the families that gathered with me each week during October for our small group focused on sharing faith with our children. Together we were able to create a safe and sacred space to ask questions, tell our stories, and share our intentions to guide our children as they grow into their own faith stories.
Thank you, also, to the congregation and staff of Central. You have made me feel welcome and appreciated. I have heard affirmations that my gifts for ministry are evident and authentic. I am praying to discern what God is calling me to do and how I will serve in the next phase of my life now that I have completed my internship and my work for the School for Ministry.
I am grateful to be a member of Central and look forward to serving together as we listen to God’s call for our congregation.
Blessings,
Vicky
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  • The School for Ministry
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