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

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.

In the early church, the pastor was called to be a “shepherd of souls,” a role which included both preaching and caring. But after the Reformation, those roles were often separated, with the titles “pastor” and “preacher” referring to separate tasks of ministry. Since true preaching is always pastoral, this course will help those who speak on Sunday mornings learn how to reclaim being a “shepherd of souls.”

The class is sponsored by the EPAUMC Laity  Academy and is open to CSMs in EPA who have completed the Basic Course 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: Preaching Carefully Laity Academy Course More details will be sent by the instructor, Rev. Dr. Lloyd Speer, after registration.

Questions: Contact Anna Taylor at deertaylor5@gmail.com.

Photo courtesy of Chris Montgomery at Unsplash.com