Registration |
Sponsored by Hartford Seminary and the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ
Since 1970, the A.C.E. Program has trained Church Educators, Lay Leaders and Clergy for educational ministries in the Church. A unique aspect of the program is the sponsorship of each participant by a local congregation. Now 38 years since its inception, "A.C.E." continues to offer a balanced blend of both the academic and the practical aspects of Christian Education to effectively equip the dedicated Church professional!
Comments from ACE Student Evaluations..."It was always with great joy and inspiration that I left my ACE class sessions. I am most thankful to God and my sponsoring church for granting me this privilege!" "It's wonderful to know that I have this great resource pool of people to connect with from now on..." "Coming to class and being inspired was a great joy always. I never left class not feeling fulfilled." "I absolutely loved this class." |
A.C.E. Classes are scheduled to meet on a series of Tuesdays, October through April, from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., at Hartford Seminary, 80 Sherman Street, Hartford, CT 06105.
The major course requirement will be to research, plan, lead and evaluate a local church program wherein students will gain experience in the use of a planning model, leadership skills, theological understandings, and Biblical materials. Projects are submitted in a written report which will then be shelved in the Connecticut Conference's Ruth Dudley Resource Center for other church leaders to use.
In addition, worship and prayer are integral parts of the Program. Students will have opportunities to plan and lead worship at class sessions.
A variety of readings from current journals, textbooks and other writings in the field of Christian Education will be the basis for regular reflection papers.
Enrollment in the 2008-2009 A.C.E. Class will be limited to 14 students. Decisions on acceptance will be determined according to the need of the local church and the order of receipt of applications. Questions concerning the program should be directed to ACE Program Director/Teacher Chuck Ericson. You may contact Chuck at 860.233.5564, and leave a message in voice mailbox 302. Voice mail messages are checked weekly during the registration period.
The information on this page is duplicated in this Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format file, including the application form. Please download it, print it, and mail it as indicated.
[Download ACE Application Brochure] (.pdf, 144K) 
Partial tuition scholarships are available for qualifying Connecticut Conference UCC local congregations (based on need). You may make your request to the Program Director/Teacher, Chuck Ericson.
Certificates are awarded by the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ to participants who successfully complete the A.C.E. course; nine Continuing Education Units (C.E.U.'s) are granted upon request by Hartford Seminary following successful completion of the A.C.E. Class.
The Rev. Charles Ericson
M.Div., Andover Newton Theological School
Chuck has served as Pastor of the Bolton Congregational Church UCC for over 24 years. During this time he has become trained as a Conflict Consultant for the Connecticut Conference, served as a Field Education Supervisor for Andover Newton Theological School, led workshops at Connecticut and National UCC Youth Events, and been appointed as an Adjunct Instructor in the "Design for Leadership" program at Defiance College. He has also served on the Conference's Department of Christian Education & Youth, chaired its subcommittee on Youth Ministry, and been a Dean of summer conferences at Silver Lake Conference Center. Prior to teaching "ACE," Chuck was a Co-Instructor of the "Building Effective Youth Ministries" (B.E.Y.M.) program for 4 years. Chuck also expresses his faith through songwriting, and his music has been published and used in many UCC conference and national settings.
Additional Resource Persons from conference, national and seminary settings will be invited to join in leading class sessions from time to time.
The first class sessions will center on learning the "basics:" introduction to resources available to Christian Educators, overview of the Biblical story, stages of cognitive and faith development, and worship.
Class dates: October 21, November 4 and 18**
The second set of class sessions will include an overview of models of Church "personalities" and how to minister effectively within a variety of Church settings; denominational resources and relationships, and creative teaching techniques.
Class dates: December 2 and 16, January 6
The focus of this part of the ACE experience will focus on staff relationships, working with church boards and committees, teacher recruitment and training, conflict management, styles of leadership, communication skills.
Class dates: January 20, February 10 and 24
ACE will conclude by examining curriculum selection, youth ministry, confirmation, adult and intergenerational programming, family ministries, and mission projects.
Class dates: March 10 and 24, April 7
A time to rejoice through worship and recognition of the accomplishments of the ACE students!! Project themes will be shared, certificates and C.E.U.'s will be presented -- culminating in a joyous reception in honor of the students. ACE Team members and the students' families are especially invited!
** Note: As of the printing of this brochure, all Tuesday class sessions are scheduled to take place in the ground level of the 80 Sherman Street facility on the campus of Hartford Seminary. Dates and locations are subject to change.
