Stepping Stones

Christian Education Stepping Stones is a series of mini-courses for Christian Educators: pastors, superintendents, and those responsible for Christian formation who want to energize or refresh their ministry. These short term courses explore faith formation topics and contemporary issues and ideas, and offer an opportunity to network with others called to similar ministries. CE Stepping Stones is sponsored by the Connecticut Partners in Education.

Stepping Stones courses may be offered or added throughout the year, but have tended to be scheduled during fall, winter, and spring. Watch this page for current offerings!

Each program begins with light supper at 6:00 p.m., followed by instruction and dialogue from 6:45 - 9:00 p.m.

There is a $12.00 fee for each course.

Current Course Offerings

Stepping Stones: What About Those Tweens? Ministry for Youth Grades 4-8
Mar. 16, 6:00 - 8:30 pm

Were you a church school drop out? I was! By the 5th grade, I had decided to help with the younger grades instead of attending my own church school class. Does that sound like any 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th graders in your church?

Our middle schoolers and even youth as young as 9 years old are a challenge for church school teachers, youth advisors, and parents alike. How do we reach the video game generation with the good news of Jesus Christ? How do we connect them so they remain connected to the body of Christ?

This workshop will answer those questions; talk about the unique characteristics of the Millenials (1982-98) and Generation Z (1999-2019); build on the learning of family faith formation; and explore creative models and curriculums for reaching our tweens.

Leader: Rev. Kristen Kleiman, Pastor, First Congregational Church UCC of Bristol.

Location: First Congl. Church, 37 Main St., Southington
Click for Map

$12.00. 3 or more from 1 church $25.00.
Registration Form
Flyer

CT Conference Curriculum Open House
Apr. 24, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Are you looking for new and/or different curriculum ideas? At the Curriculum Open House you will be able to browse through many samples of different educational materials (Faith Practices, Gather 'Round, Seasons of the Spirit, Best of Whole People of God, One Room School House, Godly Play, Faith Weaver, and more) and network with others who use them.

Everyone is invited to attend a session on ?Introduction to Faith Practices?

There will also be two opportunities to attend one of these workshop offerings:

A) "How do I Know Which Curriculum is Best for My Church?"
B) "Experiencing Faith Practices"
C) "Creating a Church School Program for Your Church"

Location: First Congl. Church, 37 Main St., Southington
Click for Map

$12.00 includes lunch and materials.
Flyer