Rev. Shannon White led a three day retreat entitled “Living Our Stories: Living out of our Authentic Selves by Listening & Sharing our Transformational Faith Stories” as the Northeast Association of Christian Educators (NEACE) held their annual event and meeting at Linwood Spirituality Center in Rhinebeck, N.Y. Rev. White led the group through five group sessions as participants’ remembered, reflected on, shared, discerned and then celebrated their faith stories. Rev. Julie Emory, Associate Pastor at Larchmont Avenue Church led worship that also wove in the theme of sacred story.
First time NEACE participant Kelly Flanagan-Henry, Christian Education Coordinator at First Presbyterian Church Lockport, N.Y., enjoyed her experience. “This was my first NEACE experience and I have to say it was a wonderful one. Not only getting to know others in my field but the warmth of fellowship the program offered. The sharing of faith stories was uplifting . . . the experience left me with a feeling of togetherness and support.”
Rev. Tim Hoyt Duncan, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Northport, N.Y., felt, “it was a wonderful experience . . . it took place in a very relaxing, peaceful setting, the schedule had an easy pace and flow to it, and there was good fellowship among the participants.”
The event also included the annual meeting, which current regional representative Linda Babcock, Director of Education and Mission at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, chaired. The location and theme of the next three events were planned and Debbie Katz, Director of Christian Education at Westminster Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, was voted as representative–elect.
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators consists of thirteen regions. NEACE consists of many of the New England states including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Rev. Jacob Bolton is associate pastor at Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham, N.Y.
