Associates in Christian Education Program      

ASSOCIATES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION  PROGRAM

"We learn and grow together
And share the Living Word
Our hopes and dreams are realized
By teaching what we've heard!"
(from ACE 25th Anniversary Song)

Sponsored by Hartford Seminary and 
The Connecticut Conference of The United Church of Christ

Registration Form .pdf .doc

AN ECUMENICAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

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 36 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!

Church Sponsorship Includes:

• $1200 in Tuition paid by the church ($200 as a registration fee, $500 due during the Fall and Spring semesters)
• A Designated Position in the educational program of the Church.
• An A.C.E. Team including a clergy person, a lay leader and the A.C.E. student. Team responsibilities include: regular meetings to provide coordination and support for the student, planning of the A.C.E. Project, and attendance at two "Team" sessions in September and January (as well as Graduation in May!).

Course Requirements Of Participants Include:

• Commitment to full time attendance.
• Participation in class discussions and activities.
• Completion of all assignments: readings, essays, reflection papers, partner observations, and the A.C.E. Project.

Location:

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.

A.C.E. Project

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.

Worship and Prayer

In addition, worship and prayer are integral parts of the Program. Students will have opportunities to plan and lead worship at class sessions.

Required Reading

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

Enrollment in the 2007-2008 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 702. Voice mail messages are checked weekly during the registration period.

Application Form

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)

Scholarship

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.

Recognition

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.

A.C.E. Program Director/Teacher

The Rev. Charles Ericson
M.Div., Andover Newton Theological School

Chuck has served as Pastor of the Bolton Congregational Church UCC for over 22 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.

A.C.E. Program Schedule -- 2007-2008

A.C.E Team Orientation: Tuesday, September 25, 5:00 to 7:30 pm at Hartford Seminary

One-Day Opening Retreat at Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT -- Tuesday, October 9, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Part I: The Basic Foundations of Christian Education

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 23, November 6 and 20

Part II: The Environment of Christian Education

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 4 and 18, January 8

A.C.E. Team Mid-Year Review: Tuesday, January 29, 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Hartford Seminary

Part III: Working as a Team in Christian Education

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 22, February 12 and 26

Part IV: The Tasks of Christian Education

ACE will conclude by examining curriculum selection, youth ministry, confirmation, adult and intergenerational programming, family ministries, and mission projects.

Class dates: March 11 and 25, April 8

One-Day Closing Retreat at Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT -- Tuesday, April 22 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Graduation Celebration:
Tuesday, May 13, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Hartford Seminary

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.

Comments from ACE Student Evaluations...

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