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Mrs. Jenna CampbellCertified Church Educator, Stillwater, OK, PCUSARev. Dr. de'Angelo DIAArtist and Pastor, Charlotte, NC, Baptist Rev. Debbie FosterPresbytery Leader and Stated Clerk of Foothills Presbytery, Greenville, SC,PCUSARev. Dr. Lakisha LockhartAssistant Professor in Christian Education, UPSem, Non-denominational Dr. Jean LoveRetired Educator, Charlotte, NC, PCUSA Rev. Dr. Lynn MillerArtist and Pastor, Gaffney, SC, PCUSARev. John Molina MooreGeneral Presbyter of National Capital Presbytery, Washington, DC, PCUSAMrs. SarahLee MorrisCertified Associate Christian Educator, Lubbock, TX, PCUSARev. Garland PierceNational Staff, Nashville, TN, AMERev. Dr. Gina RobinsonAssociate Director, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology andReligion, Chicago, IL, BaptistRev. Loli ReiterPastor, Seffner, Florida, PCUSA Rev. Dr. Patrick ReyesDean, Auburn Theological Seminary, New York, NY, Baptist Rev. Jessica TateAssociate Pastor and Presbyterian Foundation, Washington, DC, PCUSA Mrs. Melissa WhiteM.Div./M.A.C.E Student, UPSem, PCUSARev. Sandra WilliamsAssociate Pastor, Charlotte, NC, Baptist2023-2024ANNUALREPORTEngendering substantive and collaborative work that enlivenseducational research and ministries in diverse contexts, the Centerfor Excellence in Christian Education inhabits the intersection ofthe academy and the congregation, scholars and practitioners,theory and practice. It cultivates and curates relevant anddynamic resources for forming an engaging faith in a changingChurch and complex world. This ministry is organized aroundthree foci: PracticesLeadershipResearchCenter LeadershipAdvisory Council StaffRev. Dr. Rebecca DavisDirector, Professor of Christian Education, PCUSAMs. Sarah Dianne JonesProgram Associate, PCUSA Mrs. Renda BrinsonResource Center Director, PCUSA 5141 Sharon RoadCharlotte, NC 28210cece@upsem.eduwww.cece.upsem.org980-636-1116

ON THE HORIZON...We launched key practices this year to strengthen the Church, itsministries, and leaders. Weekly blogs, Facebook groups, curriculum, andpartnerships are just the start of a robust compliment of resources,services, and experiences that sustain and enliven Christian Education.EduTech is a blog and Facebookgroup that supports church leadersby promoting fluency in educationaltechnologies so that our ministriesare expanded beyond physical walls.Each month a new tool is featured,and each Tech Tuesday in the monthprovides tutorials, testimonies, andpractical ideas for using these toolsto strengthen ministry.JUST Teach is a partnership with the Centerfor Social Justice and Reconciliation and theCenter for Womanist Leadership. TheirJUST Talk/Talk JUST webinar series willnow be available as short-term educationalelectives with teacher friendly lesson plans onthe wide scope of critical topics. JUST Teachstrengthens public and social witness byproviding justice education curriculum sothat we join in God’s ongoing work oftransforming the world. The Faith, Arts, and CreativityInitiative prepares students, pastors,educators, and congregationalleaders to cultivate ministries thatdeepen their awareness of theintersection of God, humanity, andthe world. This year we hosted anumber of experiences for theseminary and the community. Thereare two art installations on theCharlotte campus: Epiphanies ofBeauty: The David and SarahPartington Biblical Art Collectionat Union Presbyterian Seminary provides a spiritual practice of self-guided Visio Divina. The Wade andSusie Burns John Lewis photography collection, I am a Witness, invites viewers to reflect on the significantcontribution of this faithful leader as they consider their own witness in theworld. For the second year, thirty children from across socio-economic andracial contexts came together for a week of learning to interpret scripturethrough the arts in our Art and the Bible Camp on the Charlotte campus. InNovember we honored educator and former Board of Trustees member, GayMothershed, and the gift from her estate of a woodcut print by P.O. Hodgell,with a Celebration of Printmaking. Students from across both campuses andthe distance program carved blocks during class as they considered an image orsymbol that arose from their reading or classwork that week, then inked themduring break. In April we launched the FACI blog that provides resources foreducators, pastors, artists, and congregations for teaching, worshipping, andcreating. It features ideas for ministry, book reviews, art installations incongregations, and so much more. New items drop on Wednesdays.The Leadership focus intentionally sustains and equips all those whoeducate, whatever their level of theological education or vocationalexperience. In December the Center hosted its InauguralSymposium, More Than. Over one hundredcongregational leaders, practitioners, students, andfaculty gathered in person on the Charlotte Campusand via Zoom to explore the ways we can meet thechallenges of today and the possibilities oftomorrow by cultivating new patterns, models, andapproaches in Christian education so that faithformation shapes identity, nurtures meaning-making, and engenders faithful living in the world.Drs. Elizabeth Caldwell and Patrick Reyes providedkeynotes. Students who spent the semesteridentifying a specific ministry challenge andengaging in practical theological research, then ledseminars on new and emerging forms of ministries. The Research focus creates space and opportunities for faculty, students,and practitioners to engage in critical conversations that developinnovative, effective, and imaginative theories, models, and methods. What started in the Creativity, Innovation, andRisk in Faith Formation course, has now beenexpanded beyond the classroom. Creativity andInnovation Cohorts invites practitioners, students,and faculty from across seminaries, to develop newapproaches to ministries by engaging adaptive andpractical theology methodologies so that all aspectsof the Church’s witness remain relevant anddynamic. Watch for these exciting ministries to emerge in coming months.Art & the Bible Camp: Images of God, July 8-12, 2024 (F2F)Prism: Insights in Church Leadership and Education forFaith Formation, August 17, 2024 (Online) Centering Children in Church and World, November 2024(HyFlex)Critical Conversations in Curriculum Symposium, March13-14, 2025 (HyFlex)We are refreshing and reshaping Storypath, whichequips parents and all who nurture faith byconnecting God’s story with the stories in our lives sothat we begin to see the presence of God in everydaylife. It will include new and more diverse children’sbooks and feature children and adolescent literaturethat connects with various lectionaries - RevisedCommon, Narrative, Womanist, and Justice. In the midst of ongoing conversations about thefuture and availability of curriculum for educationalministry of the church, the Curriculum Connectionwill provide commissioned and curated collections ofcurriculum. We are also in developing partnershipswith publishing houses, ecumenical organizations,educators, pastors, and writers. Our partnership with APCE is a vital part of the Center’s ministry. In 2024 we hosted a pre-event for the national conference in St. Louis. Inthe day-long Educational Technology through theChurch Year, participants practiced newtechnologies as they created an enrichmentexperience related to the liturgical year. We alsosponsored an interactive booth in the APCEMarketplace: visitors learned about CECE whilethey made a book, played “Educator Match Up,”and shared their ministry experiences.

ON THE HORIZON...We launched key practices this year to strengthen the Church, itsministries, and leaders. Weekly blogs, Facebook groups, curriculum, andpartnerships are just the start of a robust compliment of resources,services, and experiences that sustain and enliven Christian Education.EduTech is a blog and Facebookgroup that supports church leadersby promoting fluency in educationaltechnologies so that our ministriesare expanded beyond physical walls.Each month a new tool is featured,and each Tech Tuesday in the monthprovides tutorials, testimonies, andpractical ideas for using these toolsto strengthen ministry.JUST Teach is a partnership with the Centerfor Social Justice and Reconciliation and theCenter for Womanist Leadership. TheirJUST Talk/Talk JUST webinar series willnow be available as short-term educationalelectives with teacher friendly lesson plans onthe wide scope of critical topics. JUST Teachstrengthens public and social witness byproviding justice education curriculum sothat we join in God’s ongoing work oftransforming the world. The Faith, Arts, and CreativityInitiative prepares students, pastors,educators, and congregationalleaders to cultivate ministries thatdeepen their awareness of theintersection of God, humanity, andthe world. This year we hosted anumber of experiences for theseminary and the community. Thereare two art installations on theCharlotte campus: Epiphanies ofBeauty: The David and SarahPartington Biblical Art Collectionat Union Presbyterian Seminary provides a spiritual practice of self-guided Visio Divina. The Wade andSusie Burns John Lewis photography collection, I am a Witness, invites viewers to reflect on the significantcontribution of this faithful leader as they consider their own witness in theworld. For the second year, thirty children from across socio-economic andracial contexts came together for a week of learning to interpret scripturethrough the arts in our Art and the Bible Camp on the Charlotte campus. InNovember we honored educator and former Board of Trustees member, GayMothershed, and the gift from her estate of a woodcut print by P.O. Hodgell,with a Celebration of Printmaking. Students from across both campuses andthe distance program carved blocks during class as they considered an image orsymbol that arose from their reading or classwork that week, then inked themduring break. In April we launched the FACI blog that provides resources foreducators, pastors, artists, and congregations for teaching, worshipping, andcreating. It features ideas for ministry, book reviews, art installations incongregations, and so much more. New items drop on Wednesdays.The Leadership focus intentionally sustains and equips all those whoeducate, whatever their level of theological education or vocationalexperience. In December the Center hosted its InauguralSymposium, More Than. Over one hundredcongregational leaders, practitioners, students, andfaculty gathered in person on the Charlotte Campusand via Zoom to explore the ways we can meet thechallenges of today and the possibilities oftomorrow by cultivating new patterns, models, andapproaches in Christian education so that faithformation shapes identity, nurtures meaning-making, and engenders faithful living in the world.Drs. Elizabeth Caldwell and Patrick Reyes providedkeynotes. Students who spent the semesteridentifying a specific ministry challenge andengaging in practical theological research, then ledseminars on new and emerging forms of ministries. The Research focus creates space and opportunities for faculty, students,and practitioners to engage in critical conversations that developinnovative, effective, and imaginative theories, models, and methods. What started in the Creativity, Innovation, andRisk in Faith Formation course, has now beenexpanded beyond the classroom. Creativity andInnovation Cohorts invites practitioners, students,and faculty from across seminaries, to develop newapproaches to ministries by engaging adaptive andpractical theology methodologies so that all aspectsof the Church’s witness remain relevant anddynamic. Watch for these exciting ministries to emerge in coming months.Art & the Bible Camp: Images of God, July 8-12, 2024 (F2F)Prism: Insights in Church Leadership and Education forFaith Formation, August 17, 2024 (Online) Centering Children in Church and World, November 2024(HyFlex)Critical Conversations in Curriculum Symposium, March13-14, 2025 (HyFlex)We are refreshing and reshaping Storypath, whichequips parents and all who nurture faith byconnecting God’s story with the stories in our lives sothat we begin to see the presence of God in everydaylife. It will include new and more diverse children’sbooks and feature children and adolescent literaturethat connects with various lectionaries - RevisedCommon, Narrative, Womanist, and Justice. In the midst of ongoing conversations about thefuture and availability of curriculum for educationalministry of the church, the Curriculum Connectionwill provide commissioned and curated collections ofcurriculum. We are also in developing partnershipswith publishing houses, ecumenical organizations,educators, pastors, and writers. Our partnership with APCE is a vital part of the Center’s ministry. In 2024 we hosted a pre-event for the national conference in St. Louis. Inthe day-long Educational Technology through theChurch Year, participants practiced newtechnologies as they created an enrichmentexperience related to the liturgical year. We alsosponsored an interactive booth in the APCEMarketplace: visitors learned about CECE whilethey made a book, played “Educator Match Up,”and shared their ministry experiences.

ON THE HORIZON...We launched key practices this year to strengthen the Church, itsministries, and leaders. Weekly blogs, Facebook groups, curriculum, andpartnerships are just the start of a robust compliment of resources,services, and experiences that sustain and enliven Christian Education.EduTech is a blog and Facebookgroup that supports church leadersby promoting fluency in educationaltechnologies so that our ministriesare expanded beyond physical walls.Each month a new tool is featured,and each Tech Tuesday in the monthprovides tutorials, testimonies, andpractical ideas for using these toolsto strengthen ministry.JUST Teach is a partnership with the Centerfor Social Justice and Reconciliation and theCenter for Womanist Leadership. TheirJUST Talk/Talk JUST webinar series willnow be available as short-term educationalelectives with teacher friendly lesson plans onthe wide scope of critical topics. JUST Teachstrengthens public and social witness byproviding justice education curriculum sothat we join in God’s ongoing work oftransforming the world. The Faith, Arts, and CreativityInitiative prepares students, pastors,educators, and congregationalleaders to cultivate ministries thatdeepen their awareness of theintersection of God, humanity, andthe world. This year we hosted anumber of experiences for theseminary and the community. Thereare two art installations on theCharlotte campus: Epiphanies ofBeauty: The David and SarahPartington Biblical Art Collectionat Union Presbyterian Seminary provides a spiritual practice of self-guided Visio Divina. The Wade andSusie Burns John Lewis photography collection, I am a Witness, invites viewers to reflect on the significantcontribution of this faithful leader as they consider their own witness in theworld. For the second year, thirty children from across socio-economic andracial contexts came together for a week of learning to interpret scripturethrough the arts in our Art and the Bible Camp on the Charlotte campus. InNovember we honored educator and former Board of Trustees member, GayMothershed, and the gift from her estate of a woodcut print by P.O. Hodgell,with a Celebration of Printmaking. Students from across both campuses andthe distance program carved blocks during class as they considered an image orsymbol that arose from their reading or classwork that week, then inked themduring break. In April we launched the FACI blog that provides resources foreducators, pastors, artists, and congregations for teaching, worshipping, andcreating. It features ideas for ministry, book reviews, art installations incongregations, and so much more. New items drop on Wednesdays.The Leadership focus intentionally sustains and equips all those whoeducate, whatever their level of theological education or vocationalexperience. In December the Center hosted its InauguralSymposium, More Than. Over one hundredcongregational leaders, practitioners, students, andfaculty gathered in person on the Charlotte Campusand via Zoom to explore the ways we can meet thechallenges of today and the possibilities oftomorrow by cultivating new patterns, models, andapproaches in Christian education so that faithformation shapes identity, nurtures meaning-making, and engenders faithful living in the world.Drs. Elizabeth Caldwell and Patrick Reyes providedkeynotes. Students who spent the semesteridentifying a specific ministry challenge andengaging in practical theological research, then ledseminars on new and emerging forms of ministries. The Research focus creates space and opportunities for faculty, students,and practitioners to engage in critical conversations that developinnovative, effective, and imaginative theories, models, and methods. What started in the Creativity, Innovation, andRisk in Faith Formation course, has now beenexpanded beyond the classroom. Creativity andInnovation Cohorts invites practitioners, students,and faculty from across seminaries, to develop newapproaches to ministries by engaging adaptive andpractical theology methodologies so that all aspectsof the Church’s witness remain relevant anddynamic. Watch for these exciting ministries to emerge in coming months.Art & the Bible Camp: Images of God, July 8-12, 2024 (F2F)Prism: Insights in Church Leadership and Education forFaith Formation, August 17, 2024 (Online) Centering Children in Church and World, November 2024(HyFlex)Critical Conversations in Curriculum Symposium, March13-14, 2025 (HyFlex)We are refreshing and reshaping Storypath, whichequips parents and all who nurture faith byconnecting God’s story with the stories in our lives sothat we begin to see the presence of God in everydaylife. It will include new and more diverse children’sbooks and feature children and adolescent literaturethat connects with various lectionaries - RevisedCommon, Narrative, Womanist, and Justice. In the midst of ongoing conversations about thefuture and availability of curriculum for educationalministry of the church, the Curriculum Connectionwill provide commissioned and curated collections ofcurriculum. We are also in developing partnershipswith publishing houses, ecumenical organizations,educators, pastors, and writers. Our partnership with APCE is a vital part of the Center’s ministry. In 2024 we hosted a pre-event for the national conference in St. Louis. Inthe day-long Educational Technology through theChurch Year, participants practiced newtechnologies as they created an enrichmentexperience related to the liturgical year. We alsosponsored an interactive booth in the APCEMarketplace: visitors learned about CECE whilethey made a book, played “Educator Match Up,”and shared their ministry experiences.

Mrs. Jenna CampbellCertified Church Educator, Stillwater, OK, PCUSARev. Dr. de'Angelo DIAArtist and Pastor, Charlotte, NC, Baptist Rev. Debbie FosterPresbytery Leader and Stated Clerk of Foothills Presbytery, Greenville, SC,PCUSARev. Dr. Lakisha LockhartAssistant Professor in Christian Education, UPSem, Non-denominational Dr. Jean LoveRetired Educator, Charlotte, NC, PCUSA Rev. Dr. Lynn MillerArtist and Pastor, Gaffney, SC, PCUSARev. John Molina MooreGeneral Presbyter of National Capital Presbytery, Washington, DC, PCUSAMrs. SarahLee MorrisCertified Associate Christian Educator, Lubbock, TX, PCUSARev. Garland PierceNational Staff, Nashville, TN, AMERev. Dr. Gina RobinsonAssociate Director, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology andReligion, Chicago, IL, BaptistRev. Loli ReiterPastor, Seffner, Florida, PCUSA Rev. Dr. Patrick ReyesDean, Auburn Theological Seminary, New York, NY, Baptist Rev. Jessica TateAssociate Pastor and Presbyterian Foundation, Washington, DC, PCUSA Mrs. Melissa WhiteM.Div./M.A.C.E Student, UPSem, PCUSARev. Sandra WilliamsAssociate Pastor, Charlotte, NC, Baptist2023-2024ANNUALREPORTEngendering substantive and collaborative work that enlivenseducational research and ministries in diverse contexts, the Centerfor Excellence in Christian Education inhabits the intersection ofthe academy and the congregation, scholars and practitioners,theory and practice. It cultivates and curates relevant anddynamic resources for forming an engaging faith in a changingChurch and complex world. This ministry is organized aroundthree foci: PracticesLeadershipResearchCenter LeadershipAdvisory Council StaffRev. Dr. Rebecca DavisDirector, Professor of Christian Education, PCUSAMs. Sarah Dianne JonesProgram Associate, PCUSA Mrs. Renda BrinsonResource Center Director, PCUSA 5141 Sharon RoadCharlotte, NC 28210cece@upsem.eduwww.cece.upsem.org980-636-1116

Mrs. Jenna CampbellCertified Church Educator, Stillwater, OK, PCUSARev. Dr. de'Angelo DIAArtist and Pastor, Charlotte, NC, Baptist Rev. Debbie FosterPresbytery Leader and Stated Clerk of Foothills Presbytery, Greenville, SC,PCUSARev. Dr. Lakisha LockhartAssistant Professor in Christian Education, UPSem, Non-denominational Dr. Jean LoveRetired Educator, Charlotte, NC, PCUSA Rev. Dr. Lynn MillerArtist and Pastor, Gaffney, SC, PCUSARev. John Molina MooreGeneral Presbyter of National Capital Presbytery, Washington, DC, PCUSAMrs. SarahLee MorrisCertified Associate Christian Educator, Lubbock, TX, PCUSARev. Garland PierceNational Staff, Nashville, TN, AMERev. Dr. Gina RobinsonAssociate Director, Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology andReligion, Chicago, IL, BaptistRev. Loli ReiterPastor, Seffner, Florida, PCUSA Rev. Dr. Patrick ReyesDean, Auburn Theological Seminary, New York, NY, Baptist Rev. Jessica TateAssociate Pastor and Presbyterian Foundation, Washington, DC, PCUSA Mrs. Melissa WhiteM.Div./M.A.C.E Student, UPSem, PCUSARev. Sandra WilliamsAssociate Pastor, Charlotte, NC, Baptist2023-2024ANNUALREPORTEngendering substantive and collaborative work that enlivenseducational research and ministries in diverse contexts, the Centerfor Excellence in Christian Education inhabits the intersection ofthe academy and the congregation, scholars and practitioners,theory and practice. It cultivates and curates relevant anddynamic resources for forming an engaging faith in a changingChurch and complex world. This ministry is organized aroundthree foci: PracticesLeadershipResearchCenter LeadershipAdvisory Council StaffRev. Dr. Rebecca DavisDirector, Professor of Christian Education, PCUSAMs. Sarah Dianne JonesProgram Associate, PCUSA Mrs. Renda BrinsonResource Center Director, PCUSA 5141 Sharon RoadCharlotte, NC 28210cece@upsem.eduwww.cece.upsem.org980-636-1116