wfn.org | APCE Organizers Report Successful Annual Event

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

25-March-1998 
98082 
 
    APCE Organizers Report Successful Annual Event 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-Staff in the Pastor, Educator and Lay Leader Support Office 
of the Congregational Ministries Division (CMD) here say the Association of 
Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) annual conference held Feb. 3-7 in 
Boston was a resounding success. 
 
    The event featured plenary presentations and worship, regional and 
denominational gatherings, and opportunities to choose from more than 70 
workshops, seminars and study tours. 
 
    Pat Murphy, CMD senior administrative assistant and APCE event 
registrar, said 984 people attended the conference, which pleased APCE 
leaders greatly, given the fact the meeting was held in Boston in winter. 
Ironically, Boston received only light precipitation in the form of sleet 
during APCE, while Louisville, for example, was blanketed with a record 
21-inches of snow. 
 
    Conference workshops were led by nine CMD staff members: the Rev. David 
H. Chai, associate for Asian-American leadership development; the Rev. 
Miriam Dunson, associate for older adult leader development; the Rev. 
Kristine Haig, associate for discipleship and spirituality; Sara 
Lisherness, associate for peacemaking; the Rev. Tom Malone, associate for 
the Children's Ministry Consultant Network of Fountain Inn, S.C.; the Rev. 
Curtis Miller, associate for men's ministry; Rodger Nishioka, coordinator 
for youth and young adult ministry of Chicago; Gina Yeager, associate for 
youth ministry; and Virginia Watkins, associate for curriculum development, 
young children, who led her workshop in English and Spanish. 
 
    More than 100 people attended APCE's Annual Advocates Update and 
Training event on Feb. 4, said the Rev. Arlene W. Gordon, CMD associate for 
resource center development. Three speakers were featured at this year's 
program: Dean Vandegrift of Birmingham, Ala.; Carolyn Brown of Atlanta; and 
Virginia Watkins of Louisville, Ky. A luncheon was provided along with an 
update on the Curriculum Publishing Program Area (CPPA). 
 
        Sales at the Presbyterian Book and Resource Center at APCE totaled 
approximately $15,000 - an increase of 25 percent over 1997, Gordon said. 
Sales were also boasted by a large turnout for a CPPA breakfast and book 
signing on Feb. 6. 
 
    The 1998 APCE Educator of the Year was the Rev. Marvin Simmers, CMD 
coordinator of pastor, educator and lay leader support. A longtime 
Christian educator, Simmers graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 
Virginia and served churches in Virginia and pastor and associate pastor 
while completing studies at Presbyterian School of Christian Education and 
the University of Virginia. In 1977, he became editor of adult Christian 
education resources as a staff member of the Presbyterian Church in the 
U.S. 
 
    The 1999 annual event, the APCE Dimension, will be held Feb. 3-6 in 
Chicago. 

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