New York School Of Ministry
NEW YORK CONFERENCE · UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
New York School
of Ministry
“NYSOM does the sacred work of shaping minds for the important work of ministry.”
— Rev. Dr, Marsha Williams, Conference Minister & NYSOM Instructor
Deepening the knowledge, skills, and spiritual life of ministers and lay leaders
About NYSOM
Education for Everyone —
Wherever You Are
The New York School of Ministry (NYSOM) exists to prepare and continually form leaders for the church of today and tomorrow. We offer 16 20-contact-hour core ministry courses on a 3-year rotation, plus workshops and required training, to meet the continuing education needs of ministers and enhance the ministry of lay leaders.
All courses are video-conferenced via Zoom, where participants interact with instructors in real time.
Everyone is welcome — UCC or not, ordained or not, seeking continuing education or simply looking to grow.
“NYSOM does the sacred work of shaping minds for the important work of ministry.”
Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams
Conference Minister – NYSOM Instructor
Ministry Preparation
A Path to Ordained Ministry
Without Going Into Debt
The NYSOM prepares gifted people for authorized ministry. Our educational and formational path provides a way for working people, whose life circumstances prevent them from attending seminary, to gain the knowledge and develop the skills required for faithful and effective pastoral ministry.
Created in 2008 and revised in 2024, our path is carefully curated to help Members in Discernment to develop and demonstrate the capacities to minister in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ. All our participants are juggling many commitments — caring for loved ones, leading small churches, and/or holding secular employment.
Formation for ministry is at the heart of what we’re about: growth in character, faith, ethical understanding, spiritual and emotional maturity, and a developing pastoral identity.
Path at a Glance
- Designed to be completed in 6 years
- 14 core ministry courses (20 hours each)
- 2-year Ministry Practicum (theology, ethics, preaching, pastoral care)
- 2 periods of supervised ministry + mentor meetings
- 2 Yale Divinity School Summer Study intensive weeks
- Cross-cultural experience required
Tuition 2025 – 2026
$1,350 / year · NY Conference
Financial aid available · Per-course fee: $250
“I am so thankful for NYSOM. I am blessed to have been supported by both staff and fellow students from the moment I inquired, right through to ordination. I could not have done it any other way!”
Rev. Eric M. Gramse
Minister, United Church of Christ, Bridgeport
Curriculum
Three-Year Course Rotation
All courses offered via Zoom on weeknights or Saturday mornings · Open to all
2026 – 2027
Introduction to Christian Ethics
American Church History
UCC (Post 1957) History & Polity
New Testament I & II
Ministry Practicum: Theology & Preaching
2027 – 2028
Theory & Practice of Embodied Pastoral Care
Old Testament I
Congregational Life
Introduction to Leadership Theory
Ministry Practicum: Ethics & Practical Issues
2028 – 2029
Old Testament II: Psalms, Wisdom & Prophets
Family Systems & Pastoral Ledership
Liturgy & Worship
Introduction to Theology
Ministry Practicum: Theology & Preaching
Courses may be rearranged based on faculty availability. Each course: 20 contact hours · $250 NY Conference · $345 outside NY Conference
Continuous Education
Workshops & Trainings
For ministers, lay leaders, and all who seek to grow
Core Courses
Audit Any Course
We invite any ministers and lay people to audit our core ministry courses. With scholarship money from the Jeannine Heller Foundation, we work to make learning possible for everyone
“It is a great opportunity to audit a class. I look forward to taking another course. Truly continuing my education!”
Rev. Joanne Ferguson, East Side UCC, Binghamton NY
Workshops
Free Workshops
We offer workshops each year on topics that meet the current needs of ministers and congregations — free of charge, through the generosity of the Jeannine Heller Foundation
Church & Clergy Taxes 101
June 6 · David Cleaver-Bartholomew, Ph.D.
Click with Care: AI Safety for Faith Leaders
June 20 · Rev. Kevin McLemore & Rev. Ryan Henderson
Required Trainings
BAT & CRMT
Boundary Awareness Training
Basic (5 hrs) · Refresher (6 hrs) · Retirement (5 hrs)
Required every 3 years for all ministers
Culturally Responsive Ministry
Current: Culture & Sexuality/Gender (2024 – 2026)
Next: Culture & Disabilities (2026 – 2028)
Our Faculty
Meet the NYSOM Core Faculty
Instructors who bring expertise in the subject matter and experience in ministry
Dean
Rev. Marjorie Purnine, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Boston University · M.Div. Yale · Dean since 2007
Conference Minister
Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams
Ed. D. Indiana Wesleyan · Conference Minister & NYSOM Instructor
Core Faculty
Rev. Michael L. Sloan, D.Min.
D.Min. Homiletics · Senior Minister, First Congregational Spencerport UCC
Core Faculty
Rev. David A Kaden, Ph.D.
Ph.D. Toronto · Senior Minister, First Congregational Ithaca
Core Faculty
Rev. Wayne E. Gustafson, D.Min., LMHC
D.Min. Andover Newton · Psychotherapist & ACPE Trainer
Core Faculty
Rev. David Cleaver-Bartholomew, Ph.D
Ph.D. Hebrew Bible · Claremont · Clergy Tax Specialist
NYSOM Founder & First Dean
Rev. J. Mark Lawson, Ph.D.
Founded NYSOM in 2004 · Religious Studies faculty at Le Moyne College · Author of Fully Free: Rejecting Racism, Renouncing Christian Nationalism (Smythe & Helwys, 2024)
Our Graduates
Where NYSOM Graduates Serve
Our graduates leads UCC, PCUSA, and ELCA congregations in urban, suburban, and rural contexts — and provide ministry in hospital and eldercaer chaplaincy.
Rev. Becky West, Rev. Marna Pritchard, Rev. Craig Wilson, Rev. Brenda McCutcheon — with Dean Marjorie Purnine
Most Recent Graduate
Tina Bacon
Pastoral Minister
Mercy Nursing Facility at OLV, Buffalo, NY
Graduate
Rev. Hadley Bunting
Associate Pastor for Families, Children, & Youth
Charlotte Congregational Church UCC, Charlotte, VT
Graduate
Rev. Tammy Torelli
Pastor
Wolcott Congregational Church UCC, Wolcott, CT
Graduate
Rev. Rachel Roberts
Pastor, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Redwood, NY
Pastor, Evangelical Lutheran, LaFargeville, NY
“My sense of call came in a 14 floor nursing home. What a blessing. NYSOM opened doors to a path of study I will forever be grateful for. Thank you for the learning, preparing, and mentoring. What a gift you offer.”
Rev. Brenda McCuthcheon
Pastor, Preble Congregational UCC
Ready to Register?
Browse upcoming courses, workshops, and trainings — and register through our event page. Everyone is welcome.