image above: The Rev. Paul Frolick, rector of St. Matthew’s Church in Liverpool, teaches community-building strategies to students at the College for Congregational Development (CCD). Frolick helped to bring the program to the Diocese of Rochester while serving in that diocese. After graduating from CCD himself, Frolick served as a trainer for several years. This summer, he completes his training as a Leader Intern this summer and will be fully prepared to serve as director for the Rochester CCD going forward.
The Rev. Canon Carrie Schofield-Broadbent and the Rev. Canon John Crosswaite, both on the bishop’s staff, are enjoying their time at the College for Congregational Development (CCD) this week. A graduate of CCD, Schofield-Broadbent is a Trainer Intern this summer, learning to serve as a facilitator for the College.
Seven full days of colorful flip charts, piles of reading, presentations, prayer, and small group activities—it’s not exactly summer vacation, but there’s a lot of Episcopal enthusiasm in Canandaigua this week as a group of Central New York clergy attends the College for Congregational Development (CCD). This leadership program of the Diocese of Rochester, modeled after a program of the Diocese of Olympia, consists of two weeklong intensives over two consecutive summers.
“The College is demanding,” says current student the Rev. Shelly Banner, who serves as deacon at St. Matthew’s Church in Liverpool. “There’s a tight schedule and a lot of material. But I have heard many inspiring stories, learned so many things that I can hardly wait to try out with congregations, and I am energized!”
At the College for Congregational Development, lay and clergy leaders learn with a purpose. They gain in-depth knowledge, tools and practices in key areas like organizational development, healthy leadership, and Anglican/Episcopal spirituality and culture. But students are also formed as teachers; they are taught how to effectively share their new wisdom back home in their congregations so that their communities can become more faithful, more sustainable, and better equipped to respond to God’s call to mission. In our diocese, CCD graduates will be working with their own parishes and eventually consulting with other congregations.
Representing Central New York at CCD in 2018, completing the first of two week-long intensives , are (L-R): The Rev. Paul Frolick (St. Matthew’s, Liverpool), the Rev. Dr. Dena Cleaver-Bartholomew (Christ Church, Manlius), the Very Rev. Joell Szachara (St. Stephen’s, New Hartford), the Rev. Canon Carrie Schofield-Broadbent (Diocesan Staff), the Rev. Shelly Banner (St. Matthew’s, Liverpool), the Rev. Kathlyn Schofield (Sts. Peter & John, Auburn), the Very Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht (St. Peter’s, Cazenovia), and the Rev. Canon John Crosswaite (Diocesan Staff), not pictured.
