For information and to register for courses

https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/new5575212?tab=home

The New York School of Ministry (NYSOM)  is designed to deepen the knowledge, skills, and spiritual life of all who participate. We offer a variety of video-conferenced courses, via Zoom, where participants interact with their instructors in real time and are in conversation with peers “face to face” from their home computers. We offer sixteen 20 contact hour core ministry courses on a three year rotation as well as various short courses, such as Boundary Awareness Training and Culturally Responsive Ministry Training, to meet the continuing education needs of ministers and enhance the ministry of lay leaders. 

Our 20 Hour Ministry Courses (schedule is subject to adjustment):

2025-2026

Fall:                  

Old Testament II: Psalms, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets

Family Systems and Pastoral Leadership 

Spring:             

 Liturgy & Worship 

Introduction to Theology 

Congregational Life 

2026-2027

Introduction to Christian Ethics 

American Church History (Historical Roots of UCC) 

                        Basic Counseling Approaches for Pastors

UCC (Post 1957) History & Polity 

New Testament I

New Testament II

2027-2028

Theory & Practice of Embodied Pastoral Counseling  

Old Testament I 

Elective: The Spiritual Formation of the Preacher-Pastor 

Introduction to Leadership Theory 

Christian History: From Luke-Acts to the UCC 

Our Boundary Awareness Training sessions are open to Members in Discernment and ministers. For each two year module of Culturally Responsive Ministry Training, the first year is open only to Members in Discernment and ministers and the second year is open to ministers and lay leaders. Our core ministry courses and electives are open to everyone who is interested. Everyone is welcome. You might be active in your congregation or not; you might be UCC or not; you might be seeking continuing education or just looking to grow in a new direction.We also work with Committees on Ministry to provide an educational and formational path of preparation for ordination. If you’re wondering whether our alternative educational path might be for you or have questions about our courses, please contact Rev. Marjorie Purnine, Ph.D., Dean of the New York School of Ministry, at mpurnine@uccny.org to schedule a zoom conversation