Penn West Conference

PENN WEST CONFERENCE

PENN WEST ACADEMY

2015-2016

It’s no surprise to anyone that we live in transforming times for the church. Congregations face all sorts of issues including declining resources, erratic attendance, fewer volunteers, and increased secularism in society.

One of the ways in which Penn West has been blessed with gifts to deal with these issues is the Penn West Academy. The Academy is our very own, homegrown, educational institution for everyone! Believing that the church needs strong, faithful, Christian leadership, the Penn West Academy seeks to provide tools for the future leaders in our church—both clergy and lay people.

Rev. Ruth Shaver teaches Old Testament and New Testament. She presents how the Bible is currently being interpreted by modern scholars.

Rev. Cindy Parker provides practical training in our Worship and Preaching class. Students practically apply skills they learn by leading worship and preaching in front of colleagues.

George Kepple (a graduate of the Academy!) teaches Church History and in the past year shared his visit to the Reformation sites in Germany.

Rev. Meredith Hutchison is our United Church of Christ History and Polity Teacher. Polity is about how our church is structured—congregations, Associations, Conferences, National Church. She teaches how all the moving parts of our denomination (including you!) fit together as a whole.

The Dean and teacher of Theology is Joseph Hedden. Theology deals with how different peoples and cultures have worshipped and talked about the God of the Bible.

Now, I want to highlight something new for next year: The Conference Committee on Ministry, which administrates the Academy, has instituted an Audit option. This means that if you’d like to brush up on Old Testament, you can take just that class (four lessons a year) for $30. Or if you are interested in our Special Block, which this year is on Pastoral Care, you can sign up for only that. Need rejuvenation in your preaching? We’ve got that covered too! So, I hope you might take on some of these great opportunities to learn and grow with God’s guidance.

Grace and Peace,

Joseph Hedden, Dean

412-956-5252