wfn.org | Work Group on Certified Educators Seeks Input

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

9-January-1997 
 
 
97014           Work Group on Certified Educators  
                Seeks Input From Across The Church 
 
                         by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--The Work Group to Study Issues Related to the Status and 
Role of Certified Educators in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is seeking 
input from across the church in an ongoing effort to clarify the unique 
role of Certified Educators in the denomination. 
 
     The seven-member group was appointed by the National Ministries 
Division (NMD) last June as part of the General Assembly Council's 
consideration of the Study of the Theology and Practice of Ordination. The 
group expects to report to the 210th General Assembly (1998).  
 
     During an organizational meeting last Sept. 29 - Oct. 1 in Louisville, 
work group members reviewed the roles and relationships of educators and 
identified key issues for their "empowerment in the full life of the 
denomination," according to Lynn Jostes of Sarasota, Fla., work group 
co-chair and a member of the Congregational Ministries Division (CMD) 
Committee. 
 
     In addition to Jostes, work group members include Flavia Alvarez of 
Quebradillas, Puerto Rico; Lynette Johnson, work group co-chair and member 
of Potomac Presbyterian Church in Falls City, Va.; Gay Mothershed, staff 
member of Grace Presbytery in Dallas; Joyce MacKichan Walker of  Princeton, 
N.J., representing the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE); 
the Rev. Douglas Tracy of Chicago from the Educator Certification Council; 
and Mary Elva Smith,  a staff member of San Diego Presbytery, representing 
the NMD Committee. 
 
     Donna Cook, the NMD's associate for certification and accreditation, 
and Marvin Simmers, the CMD's associate director for leader development, 
are providing staff support for the group. 
 
     Jostes said educators attending the annual APCE conference Feb. 5-8 in 
San Diego will be invited to offer suggestions and concerns during a 
special focus group scheduled Feb. 7 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The work 
group's conversation will include the encouragement of persons who answer 
God's call to become professional educators and the challenges of 
educational ministry in the Presbyterian Church. 
 
     The work group welcomes any written communications, which may be sent 
to Donna Cook, Room M001, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 
40202-1396. 

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  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
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