Cohort Groups for Commissioned Ruling Elders—A message about a pilot project from Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education (PSCE)

Commissioned Ruling Elders (CRE) in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are invited to participate in one of three cohorts whose goals are collegial support, sharing new ideas, and learning best practices for ministry. The cohorts are designed to test the church’s need for such support and to strengthen the design of future cohorts.

These inaugural cohorts will meet for six months in 2022 with the aim of providing data that will inform the future of the PSCE-sponsored CRE project. Groups will consist of up to eight participants and a facilitator. The cohorts will meet for two hours once each month on Zoom. Participants will receive a stipend of $300 for the six months.

Each participant must have a current commission in effect. Topics for engagement by participants will include spiritual disciplines and practices, seasonal needs in the church’s program year (i.e., Advent, church school, session meetings, educational opportunities), and the sharing of the needs and concerns of each participant. Preparation for meetings may include short reading assignments.

This program is sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary’s P.S.C.E. program (Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education), which provides support for those in ministry in the denomination. A set of cohorts is currently under way for Christian Educators. This new initiative expands the meaning of Christian Education to include the broader work of the church.

Applications will be received beginning March 1 and deadline for applications is April 22. The cohorts will run from May – November 2022. For further information, contact Mariyln Johns.