Task Force Formed 
Group To Examine Christian Education in the Presbyterian Church

Karen-Marie Yust, associate professor

of Christian education at Union-PSCE,

is a member of the task force that will
look at Christian education practice in
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

A task force of church educators, professors and alumni/ae will consider Christian education in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the role of Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education in equipping leaders in the field.

The 18-member task force has been formed by Union-PSCE President Brian Blount and will be moderated by Ginny Ward Holderness, a Christian education consultant and trustee of the seminary.

"The key concern will be to recommend ways in which the Christian education program can be envisioned and fashioned at Union-PSCE so that it can meet the rising challenges of the future church," said Blount. "I am hoping that the task force will help us understand the role of Christian education and how our seminary can best position itself to prepare educators and pastors who have the tools necessary to accomplish the goals related to that role. I am hoping for both a general sense of the mission of Christian education and a specific set of recommendations regarding the work our seminary needs to do in light of that mission."

The task force draws its membership from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It includes numerous active educators, pastors, faculty from Union-PSCE, professors from other seminaries, and alumni/ae. The group was chosen through consultation with various faculty and trustees of Union-PSCE.

"We have called together a group of creative people who come from varied backgrounds and experience with Christian education. The common thread is they are all passionate about the role of Christian education in the church. I appreciate the mix we have of researchers and writers in the field, as well as those who are 'in the trenches,' serving local churches," said Holderness.

"It will be a busy year for this group," she said. "My hope is that between meetings, we will be reading and listening. Much has been written on the church and its transformative role in the culture. What is the vision? What is God calling the church to be and do? We want to listen to educators, pastors, church members, faculty, seminary students, alumni/ae, and others who have a glimpse of the vision and a sense of God's call."

The group plans to meet for one year beginning in February 2008. Four face-to-face sessions are planned, with additional work accomplished through conference calls and subcommittees as needed.

Holderness will make a presentation about the task force to Union-PSCE alumni/ae at the annual meeting of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators on Feb. 15.

The task force members are:
Kristopher Brammer (M.A.'95), director of youth ministries, Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Southern Pines, NC

Helen Byrd (M.Div.'07), consultant in education and management. Retired professor and chair of special education at Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA

Norma Calvo-Cascante (M.A.C.E.'05), instructional resource specialist, Union-PSCE William Smith Morton Library

Jenna Campbell (M.A.C.E.'05), director of youth and family ministries, First Presbyterian Church, Stillwater, OK

Cheryl Carson (M.A.C.E.'06), professional photographer, elder, and volunteer educator at Rockledge (FL) Presbyterian Church. She is a council member and leadership development chair for Central Florida Presbytery

Sung Hee Chang (M.A.C.E.'99), Ph.D. student in Christian education at Union-PSCE

Rebecca Davis (M.A.'90; Ph.D.'07), associate pastor for children and families, Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC, and adjunct professor of Christian education, Union-PSCE at Charlotte

Kenda Creasy Dean, associate professor of youth, church, and culture; director of the Tennent School of Christian Education, Princeton Theological Seminary

Freda Gardner (M.R.E.'57), Thomas W. Synnott Professor of Christian Education Emerita and director of the School of Christian Education Emerita at Princeton Theological Seminary

Bruce Harvey (M.A.'79), coordinator of Christian education, Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, VA

Morgan Hay, associate pastor, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Tucker, GA

Ginny Ward Holderness (M.A.'71), consultant in Christian education and youth ministry, First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, NC

Pamela Mitchell-Legg (M.A.'79;Ed.D.'86), Sarah Belk Gambrell Professor of Christian Education, Union-PSCE at Charlotte

Hyoung-Seop Shin (M.A.C.E.'05; Th.M.'06), Ph.D. student in Christian education at Union-PSCE

Martha Stevenson, retired church educator in Raleigh, NC. Over her long career, she served congregations in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and New York.

Lamar Williamson (B.D.'51), Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Union-PSCE

Y. Dianna Wright (M.A.'90) associate pastor, First United Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC

Karen Marie Yust, associate professor of Christian education, Union-PSCE