Healing Communities Training is a national model for clergy and congregations to offer restoration and healing for everyone affected by the criminal justice system and become a station of hope. The class is sponsored by the EPA Conference Prison Ministry & Restorative Justice Team and the GNJ Leadership Academy. Class sessions will be from 7-9 PM on October 20, 22, 27 and 29. Two hours of pre-class work is required in addition to the zoom classes for 10 hours credit for EPA CSM, CLM and clergy and GNJ CSM and Lay Servants.
The instructor for the course is Linda Van Til, Certified lay Minister, EPA Conference UMC, Prison Ministry & Restorative Justice Work Team and Healing Communities Trainer. The registration deadline is Monday, October 5. Registration details are available at the link: Healing Communities Training | United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey
Questions: Contact Marilyn Schneider at mschneider2222@gmail.com or Linda Van Til at raven303@ptd.net.
Preaching CAREfully is an advanced course in speaking that unites the roles of caring and speaking for true pastoral preaching, recalling the days of the early church when the pastor was called to be a “shepherd of souls.” The class is sponsored by the EPAUMC Laity Academy and is open to lay servants in EPA and GNJ who have completed the Basic Course for Lay Servants and a Preaching 1 or Speaking 1 course. Class sessions will be on Zoom on October 9, from 7 – 9 PM, and on October 10 and 17, from 9 AM till noon. Two hours of pre-class work includes readings from I Am the Lord Who Heals You, by G. Scott Morris and is required for 10 hours of credit for Lay Servants, Christ Servant Ministers, and CLM’s.
The instructor for the course is Rev Dr. Lloyd Speer, III, senior pastor at Christ United Methodist Church of Fairless Hills. Registration details are available at the link: Members Responsive Portal – Fall 2026 EPAUMC Preaching Carefully Laity Academy Course
Questions: Contact Anna Taylor at deertaylor5@gmail.com.
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