October Resources

We recognize that fall is a busy season. October is LGBTQ+ History month, Church Safety and Security month, and Emotional Wellness month. In the midst of busyness, take time to find resources for ministry to your youth here:

LGBTQ+ History Month

Emotional Wellness Month

Church Safety and Security Month

From the YMI Director: How often do you let your youth take the lead?

I have a question for all of you to ponder this month. How often do you let your youth take the lead?

In asking this question, I don’t just mean, “How often do you let them lead a discussion or conversation?” (Though that’s important too.) No, I’m actually curious to know how often you let the young people in your life take the reins, with you completely at their mercy?

Read full message here.


Handing Down the Faith: Parents, Congregations and Religious Socialization Zoom \| October 4 \| 12 – 1:30 pm Eastern Join Dr. Amy Adamczyk, coauthor of Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation (Oxford, 2021) for a webinar that will explore how parents view the role of congregations in faith formation for children and youth and how churches can respond to parent’s needs. Register at: Handing Down the Faith	Spiritual Care for Young People in the Climate Crisis with Rev. Talitha Amadea Aho Zoom \| November 8 \| 12 – 1:30 pm EasternClimate change is creating a spiritual emergency that is hitting generation Z harder than any other. Today’s climate crisis calls people of faith to a communal spiritual practice of care, as we must learn how to offer care that is informed by the spiritual-ecological crisis of their generation. Rev. Aho guides us with her pastoral and chaplain experience to keep young people at the center of our communities and listen to the troubles they have to share. Register at: Spiritual Care for Young People in the Climate Crisis

Leadership & Hybrid Ministry in the New Media Landscape with the Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell Zoom \| November 14 \| 11 – 1 pm Eastern Berkeley Divinity School and the Center for Continuing Education are pleased to sponsor a 2-hour webinar with the Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell to explore the dynamic and meaningful practices of hybrid ministry and the key principles of leading across time and space in a new media landscape. Dr. Gorrell will also offer an immersive 4-part course on this topic in January. More information to come. Register at: Leadership & Hybrid Ministry	Save the Date: Casting the Pageant: Meeting the Characters of Christmas with the Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton Zoom \| Nov. 30 – Dec. 21 \| 7:30 pm Eastern There are quite a cast of characters in the Christmas story! Join us over the four weeks of Advent to dive deeper into the journey to the manger. We’ll explore the role each of these characters play in the story, including the Big Shots, the Angels, the Lowly, and the Stars. Register at: Casting the Pageant

The Leader’s Way Podcast

Join Berkeley Divinity School at Yale on an audio pilgrimage, where they reflect on what matters most in life. The Leader’s Way podcast convenes inspiring conversation at the intersection of spirituality, innovation, leadership, and transformation. Episodes 1-4 can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and new episodes drop every other Monday at The Leader’s Way Podcast.

And don’t forget, if you’re looking for insights on the upcoming Revised Common Lectionary texts, listen to Chapter, Verse, and Season: A Lectionary Podcast from Yale Bible Study each week at Chapter, Verse, and Season Podcast.

Innovation on the Daring Way: A Pathway for Brave Ministry with the Rev’d Dr. Hillary Raining:

October 9, 16, 23, & 30, 10am – Noon Eastern Time, Online

Ministry in modern settings requires bold leadership and innovation. Yet, all too often, we are held back by shame, fear of vulnerability, or worry about failure. This course will give participants tools to break free from those blocks using a model called “The Daring Way,™” a psycho-educational course based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.

Register at: Innovation on the Daring Way

Living the Holy Trinity: A Contemplative Perspective with Dr. Robert Jonas

November 6, 13, 20, & 27, 10 am – Noon Eastern Time, Online

This course will cast a clear, fresh light on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. It will offer down-to-earth spiritual practices to deepen your connection to God in daily life. Jonas follows a trail of scriptural stories and the teachings of ancient Christian mystics to explore the possibility that we can discover the mind (Greek: nous) of Christ.

Register at: Living the Holy Trinity

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Handing Down the Faith: Parents, Congregations and Religious Socialization Zoom \| October 4 \| 12 – 1:30 pm Eastern Join Dr. Amy Adamczyk, coauthor of Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation (Oxford, 2021) for a webinar that will explore how parents view the role of congregations in faith formation for children and youth and how churches can respond to parent’s needs. Register at: Handing Down the Faith	Spiritual Care for Young People in the Climate Crisis with Rev. Talitha Amadea Aho Zoom \| November 8 \| 12 – 1:30 pm EasternClimate change is creating a spiritual emergency that is hitting generation Z harder than any other. Today’s climate crisis calls people of faith to a communal spiritual practice of care, as we must learn how to offer care that is informed by the spiritual-ecological crisis of their generation. Rev. Aho guides us with her pastoral and chaplain experience to keep young people at the center of our communities and listen to the troubles they have to share. Register at: Spiritual Care for Young People in the Climate Crisis

Leadership & Hybrid Ministry in the New Media Landscape with the Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell Zoom \| November 14 \| 11 – 1 pm Eastern Berkeley Divinity School and the Center for Continuing Education are pleased to sponsor a 2-hour webinar with the Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell to explore the dynamic and meaningful practices of hybrid ministry and the key principles of leading across time and space in a new media landscape. Dr. Gorrell will also offer an immersive 4-part course on this topic in January. More information to come. Register at: Leadership & Hybrid Ministry	Save the Date: Casting the Pageant: Meeting the Characters of Christmas with the Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton Zoom \| Nov. 30 – Dec. 21 \| 7:30 pm Eastern There are quite a cast of characters in the Christmas story! Join us over the four weeks of Advent to dive deeper into the journey to the manger. We’ll explore the role each of these characters play in the story, including the Big Shots, the Angels, the Lowly, and the Stars. Register at: Casting the Pageant

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