Congregational Development
Perhaps the most foundational aspect of our ministry in the Central Atlantic is our passion for bringing local churches together to face their shared challenges. The bulk of our ongoing efforts fall into two categories: Communities of Support; and Networks. We provide other programming as well. For more information, please contact Rev. Craig Peterson at cpeterson@cacucc.org. Here is a listing of our current offerings.
Lay Ministry Training
More and more of our congregations are facing the challenge of finding authorized ministers to lead worship on Sunday mornings. For some congregations, the need is episodic. They simply need to find a preacher for a Sunday when their pastor is ill or on vacation. For other congregations, the need is ongoing. For instance, a congregation might go several months between the departure of an authorized minister and the arrival of the next minister. For still others, the need is ongoing as they are unable to afford an authorized minister. The Central Atlantic Conference is working hard to train lay people to step forward and lead worship - either their congregation, or a neighboring UCC congregation in need.
We currently provide two programs for lay leaders.
First, we are offering a FREE Lay Worship Leaders Institute once a year that provides training on the basics of worship leading. We are currently working on a second part of the Institute to deal with other matters as well.
Second, the Central Atlantic Conference – in conjunction with the STAR (Small Town and Rural) Ministry Coalition – is providing a weekly lectionary group to help lay leaders prepare to lead worship for the following Sunday. The lectionary group meets Monday evenings from 6:00-7:00 PM (Eastern Time) on Zoom. If you’d like to participate in the FREE group, you can register here: LAY LEADERS LECTIONARY GROUP. Once you register, you will receive a weekly email on Sunday evenings that includes the Scripture passage we’ll study the next evening, the name of the leader for the next evening (as we’ll use leaders from across the country), and the Zoom link for the next day’s gathering.
If you’d like more information on our programs, please contact Rev. Craig Peterson at cpeterson@cacucc.org or (609) 929-7585.
Networks
Retired Clergy Network
The process of moving from active ministry into retirement can be challenging. It can also be difficult for retired ministers to find opportunities to reconnect with their call after being out of ministry for several years. Our conference created a monthly community of support to bring our retired clergy together and talk about the challenges and joys they face in retirement. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 10-11 AM (EST) on Zoom.
Children & Youth Ministries Networks
On the second Wednesday evening of each month, Children & Youth leaders meet for a monthly gathering. The purpose of the Children & Youth Leaders Network is three-fold: (1) share resources with one another; (2) identify opportunities for collaboration for upcoming events; and (3) provide support and encouragement. If you are a Children & Youth leader in a local church in the Central Atlantic Conference, and would like the Zoom link to attend, please contact Rev. Craig Peterson at cpeterson@cacucc.org or (609) 929-7585.
Other Programming
Visioning
The Central Atlantic Conference works closely with Mission Interpreter Jill White to provide strategic planning sessions. The Church Building & Loan Fund training is eight hours long. The training can be done in a weekend retreat format or spread out over four sessions on Zoom. Scholarship money is available for those congregations who cannot afford the expense of the program. If you’d like more information, please contact Rev. Craig Peterson at cpeterson@cacucc.org or (609) 929-7585.
Bedtime Stories: We have the perfect midweek ministry connection for your families- “Bedtime Stories and Prayers”! Join us Wednesday evenings on Zoom to hear a children’s story, pray, and be sent forth with a blessing. Come as you are, even if you are in your car running home from soccer practice. The weekly event is FREE! Each session is 15 minutes long and perfect for families to add to their evening going-to-bed rhythms. The weekly time is 7:00-7:15 PM. For more information, contact Rev. Craig Peterson at cpeterson@cacucc.org.
The Breakfast Club: We will include the upcoming scriptures for the next Sunday, along with creative and engaging ways to explore their meaning. For some children, this is an additional opportunity to learn more about the stories of our faith. For others, it can be an alternative when attending traditional Sunday school is not possible. Children from all five of our associations across the conference are invited to attend!
Working Groups
New Church Development
The New Church Development Working Group works closely with our five associations to support those interested in starting a new church/worshipping community as well as those congregations from other denominations that are interested in affiliating with the United Church of Christ.
Church Revitalization
The Church Revitalization Working Group is tasked with responsibility to support local churches in a number ways including (1) visioning programs; (2) establishing children and youth ministry programs; and (3) creating meaningful worship experience with both authorized and lay worship leaders.
Church Legacy
The Church Legacy Working Group is responsible for working with congregations who are considering closing their doors. The working group provides connections with other churches going through the same discernment process and helps them connect with the resources they need to establish a lasting legacy for their ministry.