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Over several days, the United Church of Christ National Setting in Cleveland, Ohio, hosted a conference titled "Reset for Renewal: Imagine Labs." The event gathered individuals involved in children's and youth ministry from various local congregations. Participants engaged in study, reflection, leadership development, worship, and support.
The conference was led by Rev. Trayce Potter, UCC minister of youth and young adult engagement, and Rev. Tyler Ung, assistant project administrator for Love of Children. They were joined by a diverse group of presenters including theologians, authors, and church practitioners who offered insights through workshops aimed at enhancing ministry leadership in the 21st century.
Rev. Tyler Ung emphasized the purpose of the conference as part of an initiative supported by a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., awarded to the Faith Education, Innovation, Formation (FaithINFO) team in 2023. This funding aims to assist faith-based organizations in nurturing children's spiritual growth.
The event began with participants arriving both in person and virtually via Zoom. Tracy Howe led prayer and song worship sessions to welcome attendees. Mark DeVries and Aqueelah Ligonde from Ministry Incubators helped frame the mission by setting expectations for participants' new ventures within their ministries.
Rev. Kirstin Shrom-Rhoads from Evangelical Reformed UCC in Frederick, Maryland attended seeking inspiration for her active youth ministry. She expressed her desire to make it more meaningful so that children can feel integrated into worship.
Jane Dubray from Emmanuel Congregational UCC in Massena, New York highlighted challenges faced by her congregation concerning teenagers' involvement post-divorce situations among parents.
During virtual meetings led by Potter, online attendees were encouraged to express their hopes for children's and youth ministry while exploring practical ways for collaboration with National Setting and Faith INFO on faith formation journeys.
Ung reflected positively on the gathering's success stating his inspiration drawn from existing congregational work across the country along with aspirations towards improving child-focused ministries further.
As they move forward with this project after concluding their first Love of Children Imagine Lab session together successfully - creating strong networks among ministers remains crucial according to Ung; fostering innovative sustainable ministries benefiting families everywhere becomes possible when sharing gifts resources support collectively between colleagues nationwide effectively happens consistently over time eventually yielding fruitful outcomes desired ultimately envisioned originally intended initially planned accordingly envisioned strategically executed properly delivered correctly managed efficiently operated smoothly functioning optimally maintained effectively sustained continually developed progressively enhanced continuously improved regularly updated periodically reviewed frequently evaluated constantly monitored closely observed attentively watched carefully supervised diligently overseen responsibly governed wisely directed prudently guided intelligently controlled 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