CEP Articles

Continuing Education – Time to Re-engage

It’s September. The fall always feels like a time to re-engage in church and programming. We’ve rested over the summer and now all things are firing on all cylinders again as we launch ourselves into autumn. Especially perhaps this September, as we continue to try more again during these pandemic times.

As we try more things in person again, perhaps some of us are also looking for ways to engage in continuing education events in person. Or perhaps we are content to connect with deeper learning through our computers still. Whatever speaks to you at this point in these still uncertain times, I pray you find an event…a seminar…a speaker who inspires and challenges you.

The hope behind the CEP plan is “to encourage and support life-long learning among rostered and non-rostered/lay employees. CEP assists employers in achieving their goals for mission by providing resources for employee education and training. CEP also supports synods and the National Church in encouraging life-long learning across the ELCIC.”

As professional  leaders, we are called to grow continually in understanding and competence in order to be faithful in discipleship. What are the areas we can experience growth for the sake of the ministry God calls us to? What skills can we further develop? Are there areas where we might seek to learn more and deepen our knowledge?

Continuing education events can be exciting!  I hope you find something that brings you excitement, joy and deeper understanding.

Peace,

Deacon Gretchen Peterson

The Benefits of Continuing Education – throughout our careers

Continuing education programs and seminars can benefit clergy (deacons, bishops and pastors) throughout our careers. From our first years working in ministry and into our more senior years, it’s always important to engage in opportunities for continuing education. There are always areas we can grow and there are many new things to learn.

I found some of these articles quite interesting when I was looking online for information about the benefits of continuing education for clergy. I hope you find some of these articles interesting as well and perhaps they might lead you to consider what your next con ed experience might be!

Peace,

Gretchen

http://into-action.net/research/the-choice-of-clergy-continuing-education/

https://intrust.org/Magazine/Issues/Spring-2019/Continuing-education-is-central-to-the-mission

Continuing Education in the ELCIC

ELCIC Group Services Inc. (GSI) provides the financial administration for CEP. In addition to reimbursing members for their education events in accordance with the policy, GSI also tracks this information and provides data and trends to PCLM and the Bishops. Here is some of the information provided annually.

There are 293 Rostered members enrolled in CEP. During 2021, 73 of those members (25%) accessed their CEP accounts to financially support their education. This chart shows the per cent of members within each synod.

Members also reported the hours spent in study. Note that the CEP policy states, “Members are expected to engage in at least 90 hours of continuing education over each three-year period.”

In 2021, a total of 5,701 hours were reported to GSI. We hope members know that hours can be submitted to GSI to be tracked even if a financial reimbursement is not needed. These hours were reported by a skills category that can be attributed to a ministry area. Here is how those acquired skills were reported.

The category of Worship and Theology has the most numbers of hours reported. Note that there are also 10 non-Rostered members in CEP and their hours are also included here.

Please reach out to GSI if you have any questions about how the plan works or if you would like to confirm the eligibility of a learning experience you wish to engage in.

Continuing Education Plan (CEP) 

Rev. Laura Holck has been working towards obtaining an undergraduate degree in fine art at the University of Alberta over the past few years. She has used money awarded from the Advanced Study Grant to work towards this goal. The pandemic forced her to do things differently from how she first imagined them, but she found creative ways to complete her projects.

“The ELCIC Long Term Study Grant is enabling me to pursue an undergraduate degree in fine art at Alberta University of the Arts. I am interested in developing my own artistic imagination and the artist imagination of God’s people within the congregation and in the surrounding community. I continue to be inspired by the first chapter of Genesis describing the limitless creative power of God, beginning with the creation of light, continuing through the creation of everything on the earth, and ending with the creation of human beings in the image of this creative God.” (The image on the right is the work titled “Genesis” in ceramic and copper.)

Learn more about her studies and how it has impacted her ministry in the parish by reading her full report. 

Peace,
Deacon Gretchen Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

Continuing Education Plan (CEP) 
From the Desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

Advanced Study Grant Application – January 15th

Just a reminder that applications for the Advanced Study Grant are due January 15. Applications may be accessed online.

The Advanced Study program provides grants to Continuing Education Plan members who are engaged in a study program that leads to an advanced degree or to a diploma. Applications must be received by January 15, 2022 in order to be considered. Additional CEP forms can be found on the GSI website.

Continuing Education Plan (CEP) 
From the Desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

Free Continuing Education – Hours Count!

This is just a reminder that members can submit their education hours even when there was no cost. That way there is a complete list of members’ education on their CEP statements. This includes virtual education or other online class formats. The CEP policy states that members are expected to engage in at least 90 hours of continuing education over each three-year period.

The reimbursement form can be completed with a nil dollar request, or an email can be sent to admin@elcicgsi.ca. An employer signature is not needed for this submission.

ust a reminder that applications for the Advanced Study Grants are due January 15 each year. This fund provides grants to CEP members who are engaged in advanced study that leads to an advanced degree or to a diploma. Applications may be accessed online.

The Advanced Study program provides grants to Continuing Education Plan members who are engaged in a study program that leads to an advanced degree or to a diploma.

More information about  CEP can be found on the GSI website.

Applications must be received by January 15, 2022 in order to be considered.

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

Continuing Education Plan – CEP 
From the Desk of Gretchen Peterson

Building Continuing Education into Your Life
Finding ways to build in time for continuing education experiences can be challenging. Our lives are busy with both work and personal commitments.

The benefits of continuing education always make it worth the time. To challenge our minds and hearts as theologians is good and worth the work. It doesn’t need to be as extensive as taking on an advanced degree (although if you feel called to that – that’s great). Taking time throughout the year to engage in educational experiences is very rewarding and can add to the life of the ministry we are called to, in our churches and in our communities.  

As members, we are expected to engage in at least 90 hours of continuing education over each three-year period. We can report our time spent in continuing education experiences on the reimbursement form, even if those experiences were free. Have you investigated your hours lately? Take a look and see how many hours you have reported. It’s worthwhile to keep a tally of your hours.

I pray your autumn is going well, especially as we continue to navigate life during a pandemic. Take care and stay healthy.

Peace,
Deacon Gretchen Peterson
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

Continuing Education Plan – CEP 
From the Desk of Gretchen Peterson

Interim Ministry. We don’t often hear about interim pastors. Part of the reason for this is that we don’t have many trained interim pastors in the ELCIC.

Rev. Barbara Groote recently used her CEP funds to receive training to become an interim pastor. She shared her learning and experiences with us, which you can read more about in her full report.

Peace be with you!

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

Continuing Education Plan – CEP 
From the Desk of Gretchen Peterson

This month we are building on our discussion of real examples of how people are using their Continuing Education Plan funds. Rev Sarah Dymund is another person who has benefited from receiving the Advance Study grant.

Rev Dymund has been working towards her Association of Chicago Theological Schools Doctor of Ministry (ACTS DMin) in Preaching Program through the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Her studies looked quite different in 2020 compared to 2019, but the learning and community-building continued.

You can read more about her experiences in her full report.

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

Continuing Education Plan – CEP 
From the Desk of Gretchen Peterson

As professionals, we know that taking the time to engage in continuing education opportunities not only assists us in developing our skills for ministry, but it also helps recharge us. It is worthwhile for all leaders in the church to take the time for further learning.

This month, Bishop Greg Mohr (B.C. Synod) shares with us how he has used some of his continuing education funds. “Over the past few years, our synod has engaged the services of an outside consultant for a number of synod-wide events, as well as facilitating conversations and discernment with our Synod Council. When I was considering how best to utilize the continuing education funds I had built up, I thought about the excellent work this consultant had done with our synod. I contacted him to see if he would consider providing one-on-one Executive Leadership Coaching. It has been an absolutely engaging, fulfilling and valuable experience.” 
Thank you Bishop Mohr for sharing your CEP experience with us all.

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

CEP – Professional Leaders in Life-long Learning
From the Desk of Gretchen Peterson

This month, we hear from Pastor Dennis Hendricksen, who is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Worship Studies program at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. He has been a recipient of the Advanced Study Grant, to assist in his costs for doing this degree.

Pastor Hendricksen shared these thoughts in a report on his studies:

“Through this program I have been introduced to many worship resources that I would not have encountered otherwise. Not only is the school ecumenical, but it is also international, so I have been exposed to ideas and materials from a wide range of contexts. An example of a resource I would not have encountered had I not been at student at IWS, is a sung setting of the Lord’s Prayer which has become a highly valued part of our worship services at Christ Lutheran.

“Through this program I have been energized to be more thoughtful and intentional in my worship planning. The congregation has been the beneficiary of this heightened attentiveness – through the worship services themselves, and through the teaching about worship done in various educational contexts (studies, presentations, and newsletter articles).”

Clearly, this program of study at an ecumenical, international school has provided new learnings for not only Pastor Hendricksen, but the worship life of the congregation he serves, as shared in his full report.

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

CEP – Workplace Education
From the Desk of Gretchen Peterson

Kyle Giesbrecht is the Director of Finance and Administration at the National Office of the ELCIC in Winnipeg. He is a Non-Rostered member of the ELCIC Continuing Education Plan. In this month’s CEP article, he shares about using his continuing education funds for a learning experience.

“I used the Continuing Education Program money to take a required topic for my Chartered Professional Accounting (CPA) designation. The course that I took was called Canadian Business Ethics and was put on by CPA Manitoba. The accounting profession has a new requirement that members take a minimum of 4 hours of ethics training every three years and this course met those requirements.

“It was an interesting course that talked about some difficult situations that people can find themselves in, and how to deal with those situations. It also talked about ways to promote ethical behaviour in a workplace, and how to respond to unethical behaviour.”

Thank you for sharing your CEP experience with us Kyle.

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

CEP – Advanced Study Application Deadline
From the Desk of Gretchen Peterson

It’s a New Year! Could it be time for a new way of participating in continuing education opportunities?

There is no doubt that it is different to find time and space for continuing education during a pandemic. It might be hard to carve out time to participate in an online event. It may also be difficult to fully participate when you are just “attending” from your living room.

But in some ways, it has become easier. There are lots of online events, and usually they are cheaper to attend without the added costs of travel and accommodations.

I hope in 2021 you find some continuing education that renews and rejuvenates you – especially during this time.

Reminder: Advanced Study grant applications are due January 15, 2021. Application forms can be found on the GSI website, as well as the ELCIC website.

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

CEP – Advanced Study Application Deadline
From the Desk of Gretchen Peterson

The Advanced Study program provides grants to Continuing Education Plan members who are engaged in a study program that leads to an advanced degree or to a diploma.

Grants are awarded through an application process and are evaluated by the Program Committee for Leadership for Ministry (PCLM). Their evaluation is based on how the proposed program of study will promote growth for effective ministry and will support the ELCIC’s mandate to be a church In Mission for Others.

We encourage you to apply with our new and easy online form! It can be found on the GSI website, as well as the ELCIC website.

Applications must be received by January 15, 2021.

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

CEP – Creating Space

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

If you are like me, one of the things you’ve taken advantage of during these pandemic times is signing-up for all of the conferences you couldn’t afford to go to before due to money or time constraints. Now these conferences are online and much cheaper! I’ve registered for a few online Continuing Education conferences over the past few months. But…

If you’re also like me, it’s hard to make the space and time to truly attend these learning experiences in the midst of everyday life. I am grateful that most of the conferences come with the recordings of the sessions that one can watch at one’s own pace and when one has the time. Still… The time! The space! It’s hard to make room for those things in our busy lives.

A few months ago, I looked ahead at my fall line-up. In the mist of a bit of back to normal stuff (school!!), I also noticed a conference I had signed up for – Evolving Faith. I started to think about how I was going to make myself available to truly be present for these two days of learning, praying, and listening. So, I decided to do a thing.

With the support of my family, I left our home for the weekend and created my own space at an Airbnb just outside the city limits. Space for myself. Time for myself. I knew this was what I truly needed for my mind, for my body, and for my soul.

I spent two days on a little acreage, away from the city. I didn’t speak to anyone. I watched the livestream and read. I prayed for my clergy friends. I prayed for the world during a time of so much crisis. I gave thanks for creating this time for my own learning and renewal.

There is a great benefit to all of us to take advantage of these online learning experiences. It feels like so many learning experiences are right at our fingertips. But these learning experiences shouldn’t just be one more thing that’s added to our to-do list.

I encourage you to think about how you might find the space and the time to engage in the continuing education you sign up for. What can you do to make the experience more enjoyable and life-giving?

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

New and Surprising Ways to Engage in Continuing Education

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

Pastor Kimber McNabb from Halifax, NS engaged in a new continuing education opportunity this summer – learning a new language! In this month’s newsletter, Pastor McNabb shares her experiences and the benefits of learning American Sign Language.

“Two evenings a week, 6:30-8:30 pm via Zoom a group of 5 students met to learn a new language (American Sign Language level I & ll). It was difficult and rewarding; we were not allowed to speak at all, learning only by repetition, gestures, and fingerspelling words to learn new signs.

“I chose to learn ASL for a couple of reasons. One, I do services at a manor that has a deaf community. I wanted to be able to have a basic conversation with the residents. Two, I have done a number of funerals where an interpreter has been brought in. I wanted to understand what their needs might be, and to be able to offer ‘peace’ in sign to those to whom they were interpreting. The sessions were invaluable and an important way that I can welcome others and understand better the challenges of being deaf in a hearing world. Another benefit has come about because of COVID and not being able to sing in worship; some songs we will learn and sing in Sign Language”

We thank everyone for sharing their CEP experiences and look forward to hearing more!

Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

In January of 2020, Pastor Mark Ehlebracht (Kitchener, ON) submitted a CEP report titled “Exploring the Impact of Social Media on the Religious and Spiritual Beliefs of Emerging Adults”. It’s a great example of how CEP is being used by people to explore different aspects of their faith and their work. Please read and feel free to share your own CEP journey and email me at gpeterson@elcic.ca.

“Electronic and social media is changing the way people, organizations, and communities communicate and interact with each other. The statistics are remarkable. The internet has 4.2 billion users and there are 3.03 billion active social media users. Internet users have an average of 7.6 social media accounts, social media users grew by 121 million between the second and third quarters of 2017 (that’s 1 every 15 seconds), and Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp handle sixty billion messages a day.

“Statistics Canada reports that nearly all of Canadians use the Internet every single day, with the province of Alberta having the highest percentage of Internet users, and that 76% of all Canadians own a Smartphone, 71% own a laptop, and 54% own a tablet. 

“By any account, those statistics are worthy of paying attention to, especially as they relate to how we experience community and how the culture of community can be shaped. As a PhD candidate at Martin Luther University College, I am excited to formally begin my research this year alongside a superb faculty and staff. My study will explore participants’ belief systems and begin to understand how social media disrupts, promotes, or interacts with religious and spiritual beliefs. This study will explore the impact of social media on the religious and spiritual beliefs of emerging adults in Canada.”

To read Mark’s full article, including citations and sources, please click here.

Thank you,
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

New Opportunities for Continuing Education
Due to COVID-19, many events have been postponed or cancelled, and many events have shifted to being offered online, so the event, or something like it, can still take place. This is probably our reality for any type of large-scale group gathering for awhile.

Recently the Festival of Homiletics happened online and there were technology glitches, which is to be expected. There was the option to participate for free and just get access to the livestream sermons and lectures. There was also the option to purchase an on demand subscription, giving you access to all the content for up to a year after the festival took place. I opted to pay for the on-demand access as I knew I would have limited time to participate in the livestream each day, for five days in a row. Having a child at home now and trying to do some homeschooling every day meant that I would
be interrupted at some point.

I have never been to the Festival of Homiletics before and being able to attend for a small fee, which I will use my CEP funds for, felt like a great opportunity! I was able to listen to two of the sermons and they were great. That’s actually all I was able to watch during the week, but I’m excited knowing that I can catch-up over the next year and watch more when the on-demand access becomes available.

While online continuing education opportunities are great to take advantage of right now, there are some downsides. Adding more screen time to our “to do” list might not feel worth it, as many of us are heading into a time of screen fatigue. Also, attending something virtually just isn’t the same as being there in person.

Since I have never attended this festival in person, I turned to my colleagues to ask how this livestream version compared to being there in person. Their comments were not surprising.

“Streaming has its advantages (it’s cost effective, the only way anything could happen this year), but it does not begin to compare to the energy of the Holy Spirit stirring hundreds of people in one place at the same time. I remember
being moved to tears multiple times live. Hard to enter that fully into the experience when at home watching on the computer.”  —Pastor Phil Penrod

“Streaming is good, but the singing!! Nothing quite like it.”  —Pastor Rite Roste

“It has been wonderful to be able to attend, and I have found myself re-charged and re-oriented as well, a true antidote to the past few weeks (not bad, necessarily, but a huge expenditure in energy adjusting – kind of like starting a new sport and discovering muscles one didn’t know were there by the sore ache at the end of the day).”  —Pastor Patricia Giannelia

“I really liked the live event in Nashville, but I thought the online event was very good value and education/inspiration.”  —Pastor David Hunter

It’s good to take part in virtual continuing education events, as that is what is available to us at the moment. I am grateful for the learning and worship that can still happen online during this time, but it’s not the same as being there.

Peace be with you!
Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

We received nine applications this year for the Advanced Study Grant, following the January 15th deadline. These applications came from Rostered members scattered across the whole Church.

The areas of study included a wide swath of topics. It is really encouraging and exciting to read through the applications and see the interesting topics people are engaged in across our church.

Some of these topics include: worship; church leadership in missional communities; art and creating in the image of a creating God; social media and faith formation; and awe and wonder in health care providers.

A total of $47,710 was awarded to these nine applicants. It is exciting to see how these deeper studies will impact the congregations and ministries the applicants are serving.

If you have interesting stories to share, or ideas on how to utilize your CEP funds, I’d love to hear from you at gpeterson@elcic.ca.

Thank you,

Deacon Gretchen Peterson

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

Hi – My name is Deacon Gretchen Peterson and I have been serving in the National Office for the past 3.5 years, mainly in the area of youth ministry. This past September, I took on responsibilities in Leadership as well. I am happy to find stories to share with leaders  in the ELCIC about ways people are engaged in further learning and continuing education.

Did you know the purpose of the Continuing Education Plan is to “encourage and support life-long learning among rostered and non-rostered employees”? Perhaps you have found an interesting and exciting way to engage in this type of learning. Let’s hear it! I am always looking to highlight what people in the ELCIC are doing through their CEP funds.

If you have interesting stories to share, or ideas on how to utilize your CEP funds, I’d love to hear from you at gpeterson@elcic.ca.

Thank you,
Deacon Gretchen Peterson

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

Pastor Steve Hoffard, from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Toronto, has this to share about his Continuing Education experience from the past 2 years.

“The last 2 years I have used my continuing education plan to attend the annual Proclaim gathering. Proclaim is the professional association of out Lutheran LGBTQS rostered leaders and seminarians in the US and Canada. The group has grown to include over 350 members and this past summer in Milwaukee, I attended the largest gathering to date. The gathering consists of 4 days of fellowship, worship, training and workshops.

“The training this year dovetailed well with resolutions passed at our ELCIC national convention as we spent a full day in anti-oppression and racism training. I like to consider myself as fairly woke, but I learned so much I didn’t know, particularly in the area of systemic racism and how it manifests and perpetuates itself in our institutions including the church.”

As we all look ahead to plan our ministry and education opportunities for 2020, I hope we take the time to think about areas of interest and growth, where we might best use our CEP funds. Happy planning!

Deacon Gretchen

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

In 2019, the ELCIC Continuing Education Plan (CEP) awarded 14 Advanced Study grants for CEP members to study a variety of topics: social innovation, family counselling, preaching, employee administration, worship, social media witness, biblical studies, leadership for mission and congregational vitality.

The Advanced Study Fund provides grants to CEP members who are engaged in advanced study that leads to an advanced degree or to a diploma. Applications are due January 15 each year and application forms may be accessed here on the GSI
website.

Pastor Anne Anderson, community pastor at thirdspace, located at Martin Lutheran University College, shares from her own CEP experiences: “The grant has been helpful to understand the life of and need for emergent/alternative worshipping communities within our tradition. Understanding the arch of leadership within these communities and how our Lutheran tradition can uphold and encourage transformational leadership within our faith communities in our rapidly changing world has been very helpful.”

Blessings to everyone as you discern your ongoing learning needs and/or consider the possibility of advanced study.

Deacon Gretchen Peterson,
Assistant to the Bishop, Youth and Leadership
——————————————————
The ELCIC is interested in your ideas for continuing education. Please share your
recommendations with Deacon Gretchen Peterson, Assistant to the Bishop for Youth
and Leadership at gpeterson@elcic.ca

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Deacon Gretchen Peterson

Learning Opportunities Right in Front of You
CEP funds might take a while to accumulate, especially if you work less than full time, like myself. After my son turned one and I wanted to return to work, I accepted a quarter-time call. It gave me flexibility in life and it was a good fit. But working quartertime meant my CEP funds took time to accumulate to an amount where I finally realised “Oh, I better use some of that and look for further educational opportunities!”

In 2018, I heard of a conference happening right here in Saskatoon that was of interest to me. The idea of dropping my son off at school and then continuing my commute downtown to join in further learning was very appealing to me because it meant I didn’t need to travel. The topic was of interest to me and relevant to the work I was engaged in. The conference fee wasn’t very much and I could definitely use my CEP funds to pay for it, so I registered for the event.

The Wîcihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference “invites community organizations, governments and businesses to learn about inclusive representation of Indigenous people as employees, volunteers and decision-makers.” The Conference was organised through the lens of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. I learned from passionate Indigenous youth, as well as local Indigenous elders. It was amazing – and it happened right here in my city!

So, what is happening in your neck of the woods? In your backyard? In your downtown? What are the learning opportunities that are easy to access in your city that would help you in engaging further with the people in your ministry setting or your community? I encourage you to investigate what is happening near you.

As for me, I’m about to head into this year’s Wîcihitowin Conference to see what it is that I can learn this year to instill in the ministry I am engaged in.

Peace be with you!

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Rev. Paul Gehrs

And now for something completely different
In June, I attended TEDxWinnipeg 2019. The event is self-described as “Local People; Global Impact; a local, self-organized event sharing a TED-like experience where live speakers and the audience combine to spark a connection and deep discussion.”

Each TEDx speaker is given a maximum of 18 minutes to share an innovative idea. I first decided to attend TEDxWinnipeg because a colleague pointed out that several of the 16 speakers were presenting on reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Other topics related to my work included the environment, gender-identity and effective communication.

Having previously been nurtured by leaders from across Canada to ‘practice discerning how God is active in the neighbourhood and join-in’, it was interesting to be in a non-church context listening to people who cared deeply about their neighbourhood. It was also encouraging to hear people’s dreams for a better world given the ELCIC invitation to practice ‘Courageous Innovation’.

I have also attended a local ecumenical event where ted-style talks have been used to stimulate conversation on theology and mission. I believe it would generate ideas and build community for the leadership team from a faith community to spend a day together at TEDx, using the generous time for breaks and lunch to ponder ‘what does this mean for us?’.

As we discern how to participate in God’s mission, the opportunities for continuing education are all around us.

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Rev. Paul Gehrs

What qualifies for CEP?
Some members have the impression that the ELCIC reviews every CEP expense reimbursement request looking for an excuse not to pay out. The truth is that the ELCIC wants more members to use funds to engage in more educational experiences. CEP funds are to be used for education experiences that enhance a person’s capacity to do their job. Study could be on subjects that maintain, or upgrade skills directly related to specific employment responsibilities; or general matters relating to employment, such as “time management” or “how to supervise volunteers.” As well, a wide variety of
formats are eligible: classes, seminars, conferences, and lessons/coaching for an individual or small group.

Spiritual direction, for example, would qualify for CEP as one type of coaching for an individual, as long as an employer agrees it relates to job responsibilities. From the perspective of the ELCIC, we are in favour of members enhancing skills as facilitators of prayer.

While CEP will cover tuition/registration costs, it is easy to forget that travel, accommodation and meals cost are legitimate education costs. This means that travel costs to attend a school, seminary or conference centre for an appropriate learning experience may be submitted.

With regard to travel tours and independent learning, it is possible to use CEP funds when some additional documentation is provided to demonstrate that the learning experience relates to employment responsibilities.

The requested documentation is:
• Employer provides a 1 to 2 sentence written summary of what the employee is
expected to learn.
• Member/employee identifies daily learning goals and keeps a journal of how each
day’s experience is relevant in their ministry context.

Using this format, members have visited the Holy Land, toured Reformation sites in Germany, traveled with CLWR and walked the Camino trail. All of the above must qualify as eligible education expenses within the interpretation of
the Income Tax Act (Canada). CRA does not allow expenses to be paid from this fund that it considers to be for personal interest or wellness.

What does qualify is a wide range of education experiences that enhance your capacity to do your job. GSI is available to support you in using CEP funds to meet your learning goals.

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Rev. Paul Gehrs

So, they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples.
Matthew 28:8

What is an important learning experience you had in the last few years? Something that keeps coming back to you. Something that continues to shape how you offer your service to the church and to the world.

Matthew points to a mixture of fear and great joy that marks the life of disciples who have encountered the good news. When I think of some of my more enriching and lasting learning experiences, I am aware of this mixture. There was some fear of delving into what was unfamiliar to me or highlighting what was missing in my practice of discipleship. But there was joy in learning and being transformed. And there was excitement to share my insights with other disciples in my faith community.

As we ponder the implications of the resurrection for faithful witness and life in community, here are four questions we might ask about our plans for life-long learning:
1. What do I want to learn?
2. What do I need to learn in order to enhance my service to my community/context?
3. What are the mission goals of my faith community?
4. How might I celebrate the learning experiences of those around me?

Continuing education can be done through workshops, classes, retreats, guided groups, individual coaching and spiritual direction. Expenses may include registration fees, travel, meals, accommodation or education course materials. Please see our website for more details.

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CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Rev. Paul Gehrs

To download a copy of this article, click here.

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Rev. Paul Gehrs

To download a copy of this article, click here.

CEP – Lifelong Learning

From the desk of Rev. Paul Gehrs