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The Continuing Educator
Society for the Advancement of Continuing Education for Ministry |
August 22,2008
WELCOME to our third official “e.news” edition of The Continuing Educator, the SACEM network newsletter!
As editor of the Continuing Educator since 2003, I have been reflecting with gratitude on my own SACEM experience, especially in the “networking paradise” of our Annual Gatherings. Back in 2004, as a new director for lifelong learning in a seminary context, I was immensely assisted by participation in the New Director’s Workshop offered by SACEM just prior to the Annual Meeting. Relationships and network assistance begun then have continued to nurture ministry and growth for me personally, and for my institution. I know that this is true for countless others over the 40 years of SACEM history! SACEM’s advocacy for lifelong learning, with continual assessment of effective approaches, is constantly at work in our gatherings, and, increasingly so, on our website. Both the active networking and the content concerns of our gatherings (and of potential blogs) promote organic, connected relationship--- invaluable gifts within the chaos of 21st century life. Relationships which we seek to foster are among:
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church leaders in continuing education/formation (both clergy and lay)
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peer colleague groups (both Lilly-grants and other models)
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all those who offer continuing education on behalf of judicatory bodies, seminaries, conference centers, and as independent contractors.
Too, we are becoming more deeply aware each year of the worldwide
Church and its essential impact on American Christianity, not to
mention the need for hospitable exchange in interfaith and
trans-cultural contexts for ministry. Then, there are the realities of
the present day. Our new President reflects on this in the President's
Column: Call It What You Want.
Especially in our 2008 Conference, plenary presenter Dr. Mary Hess
stimulated exploration of a timely and evocative theme, “Lifelong
Learning---Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital Age.” For
reflections on this 2008 Conference, and the “new SACEM” being spawned
at that 40th Anniversary occasion, see Reflections on the 2008 Conference .
2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE MARCH 6-9 IN ATLANTA
Next year's SACEM conference will be held March 6-8, 2009,
in Atlanta on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary.
The theme for the conference will focus on strengthening the
practice of continuing education for ministry in times of change. The 2009 conference will strive to continue the opportunities we have enjoyed in the past
for conversations, networking and resource sharing, worship, and presentations
and workshop opportunities. Read more ...
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN:
Call It What You Want by Dr. Dent Davis
Call it what you want: continuing
education, spiritual formation, lifelong learning, or non credit
learning, the work of those associated with the Society for the
Advancement of Continuing Education in Ministry (SACEM) is changing.
Older traditional approaches are becoming more problematic and new
challenges are emerging. Programs and topics that once generated large
enthusiastic audiences are waning. Educational institutions are
insisting that the non-credit parts of their programs generate more
revenue and control expenses, difficult in the best of times with
participants who often have limited incomes. read
more ...
UPDATE ON THE SACEM BOARD:
Dent Davis, Columibia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, was elected to
serve as the president of SACEM for the coming year during this
afternoon's annual business session. SACEM members are currently
meeting for the Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Janet Maykus from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin,
Texas, was elected to the SACEM board to serve as the Vice President;
Stephen Simmons from Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania, was elected as the secretary; and Michael Wilson from
Samford Seminary in Birmingham, Alabama, was elected to serve as the
treasurer. Read more ...
REFLECTIONS ON THE 2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Around the theme of "Lifelong Learning: Challenges and Opportunities in a Digital Age," Dr. Mary Hess of Luther Seminary in Minneapolis stimulated reflection and discussion among participants with her two keynote presentations. In her presentations she shared YouTube videos and other web sites to demonstrate the extensive social networking and digital culture
ethos which influences, and even pervades our present educational
contexts. Read more ...
TREASURER'S REPORT:
For over thirty years, SACEM has been serving pastors, lay leaders,
seminaries, and centers for lifelong learning throughout the United
States and Canada. Our membership is diverse, with good representation
among institutions and individual practitioners in the field of clergy
continuing education. Following the success of this year’s annual conference, active
membership now consists of nearly 75 individuals and 11 institutions.
Now is a good time to involve others in the organization. Read more ...
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
As a network of persons seeking to share resources, enhance skills, and promote
excellence in lifelong learning for ministry; the Society for the Advancement
of Continuing Education for Ministry (SACEM) invites you to join the conversation.
There are a number of ways to do this.
Many are through the web site, SACEM Online, which provides a year round
continuous connecting place for the learning community concerned about lifelong
learning for ministry. read
more ...
Also:
The Continuing Educator is published by the Society for the Advancement
of Continuing Education for Ministry. Copyright 2008
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