Who knew college could be so popular? The recent week-long session of the College for Congregational Development (CCD) was not only full, but also had a waiting list.
Held at Waycross Camp and Conference Center from July 17 to 23, this year’s session of the popular initiative that equips lay leaders and clergy with practical tools and new approaches to congregational and organizational development included 18 clergy and 30 lay participants representing 23 parishes in the Diocese of Indianapolis and Church of the Redeemer in the Diocese of Southern Ohio. The Diocese of Indianapolis first launched the two-year CCD program in 2021.
Connie Betts of Trinity, Lawrenceburg, represented her congregation on her own at CCD sessions in both 2021 and 2022. While she was initially concerned to be the only person attending from her parish, as senior warden, she said she was happy to go and ready to “be a sponge” as she faced the responsibilities during the parish’s transition in clergy leadership. The College for Congregational Development was “more in-depth and more rigorous than she anticipated,” but Connie found that she was energized and excited to use tools she had learned. “It was so good to work with other people who were all open to networking and sharing of ideas. There was a level of interest in learning about the other congregations represented. I wanted to ‘binge-watch’ the projects other groups developed out of our time together.”
Emily von Allmen traveled to Waycross from Cincinnati to participate as a trainer intern. “This is the kind of training that any size church can benefit from: one group doesn’t even have a building. Each participant saw how the small group exercises gave a perspective on where they are and where they want to go.” Von Allmen’s colleagues from Church of the Redeemer attended CCD for the first year; they returned to Ohio with ideas for improvement and two projects underway. “There was something very special about folks taking a full week away; the level of dedication and commitment among participants was inspiring. Seeing Bishop Jennifer there for the whole week was an amazing message of support.”
For Marilyn Witt of St. James, New Castle, the timing couldn’t have been better: “I became senior warden in December 2019 while we were without a priest–yes, just in time for COVID! We lost some parishioners during the next two years and were decreasing in numbers. But, our desire to continue our work for Christ as St. James Episcopal Church was strong. We were proud of what we continued to do, but knew we needed some change and needed help to do it. When the Diocese of Indianapolis suggested we attend CCD in 2021, I knew I wanted to do it and so did three others from St. James. … I was surprised at the intensity of the program. I realized by the end of the week the first year that the caring and expertise of the instructors was what made it work. That expertise included breaking us into small groups and having the connection with others and the problems they faced. The second year was even better than the first. Preparing to present new things to our congregation has become so much easier now that we know a good way to do it. Thanks to CCD, we have high hopes.”
The Rev. Christopher Beasley attended with two lay leaders from St Peter’s, Lebanon. He first became enthused by the program during his time on the diocese’s Executive Council and by what he learned when it was previewed at a clergy day. He appreciated that some of the CCD models felt familiar to him from Pathways to Vitality, a Lilly Endowment-funded program in which St. Peter’s participated from 2019 to 2021.
“I had read stories from those who had attended last year, including my home parish of St. James, New Castle. I knew what CCD could offer, but I was a bit concerned about asking lay leaders to take seven long, full days to attend. By mid-week, all of us from St. Peter’s were ready for year two. As a bi-vocational priest, this took extra effort – I used vacation time – but I knew the experience would be too valuable to not be fully present for the week. The College for Congregational Development is a gift to the diocese,” said Beasley.
St. Timothy’s, Indianapolis, was among the parishes attending CCD for their second year. For Mariann Scott, the experience was an invitation for the parish to become more lay-led. The projects the parish developed as part of their CCD experience were designed to increase a sense of ownership among parishioners. She reports that the parish is already considering sending a new cohort for the 2023 training event. “We dream of having an alumni group of participants some day.”
For Scott, the community-building aspect of the event was a highlight: “We had time in the evenings to spend with participants from sister parishes, hearing of their experiences and synthesizing those into our own parish experiences. “Come and see,” said Scott. “The leadership that CCD will raise up for the Diocese of Indianapolis will be phenomenal.”
“My hope is that the College for Congregational Development in the Diocese of Indianapolis equips leaders with faithful, .practical tools to help them build up the churches they love,” Canon Kristin White, who leads the program in the diocese, said. “I pray that, together, we are creating a culture in which we learn and grow as the Body of Christ that God calls us to be.”
The 2023 session of the College for Congregational Development will take place from July 16 to 22 at Waycross Camp and Conference Center. Registration will open on August 15, 2022.
photos: Adam Frieberg
