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Enroll in a spring learning cohort

February 10, 2026 / By UNY Communications / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

This spring, we’re pleased to invite you to participate in Spring Learning Cohorts being offered across our Episcopal Area in partnership with the Susquehanna Conference.

These cohorts build on a series of Fall Learning Cohorts that were very well received by participants in the Susquehanna, who named the experience as meaningful, practical, and deeply supportive of their ministry. Based on that strong response, we’re excited to open this spring’s offerings more broadly - welcoming you all into this shared space for learning and connection. 

The Spring Learning Cohorts are designed to support you in the midst of ministry, encourage peer learning, and offer practical, Spirit-filled guidance for this season.

All cohorts meet via Zoom, making it easy to participate from wherever you serve. Attendance at all sessions of a cohort is expected. We hope you’ll consider joining colleagues from across our Episcopal Area as we learn together and strengthen our shared ministry. 

Take a look below and register soon - space is limited for some offerings!

Designing Worship as a Team

Led by: Rev. Larry Leland, Pastor, Faith UMC (Montoursville, PA)
Length: 5 Sessions
Schedule: Wednesdays, 2:00-3:30 p.m. (February 11, 25; March 11, 25; April 22)
Cohort Capacity: No Limit

Effective worship planning is strongest when clergy and laity work together with intention and creativity. This cohort explores collaborative approaches to designing worship services and sermon series that honor God, build up the community, and invite deeper love of God, neighbor, and world. Participants will examine practical methods for planning worship seasons and series and will leave with actionable ideas for a future series, such as Summer or Advent 2026.

Click here to register for Designing Worship as a Team. The registration deadline is February 6.

Living the Connection: Practicing Cooperative Ministry Together

Led by: Rev. Dr. Susan Arnold, Executive Director of Congregational Development & Connectional Ministries, Holston Conference
Length: 5 Sessions
Schedule: Thursdays, 3:00-4:30 p.m. (March 5, 12; April 9, 16, 23)
Cohort Capacity: No Limit

What becomes possible when congregations stop working side-by-side and begin working together? This cohort explores cooperative ministry partnerships rooted in biblical foundations, shared purpose, missional focus, spiritual gifts, and adaptive collaboration. Participants will examine who healthy partnerships are formed, sustained, renewed, and multiplied across congregational boundaries while learning from one another’s experiences.

Click here to register for Living the Connection. The registration deadline is February 26.

An Unhurried Life: Clergy Spiritual Formation

Led by: Rev. Dr. Michelle Bodle, Mountain Valley District Superintendent, Susquehanna Conference
Length: 3 Sessions
Schedule: Mondays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. (March 9, 16, 23)
Cohort Capacity: No Limit

How can pastors remain attentive to their own spiritual formation while accompanying others? Spiritual formation for clergy can sometimes be pushed to the side. Centered on An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling, this cohort invites pastors to slow down and reflect on their own season of spiritual formation. Designed for both contemplative leaders and those who find stillness challenging, the group will explore seasons of spiritual formation and practices that nurture a sustainable, attentive life in ministry.

Click here to register for An Unhurried Life. The registration deadline is March 2.

The Relevant History of Methodism: Crises and Controversies

Led by: Rev. John Tyson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Church History and UMC Studies, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
Length: 6 Sessions
Schedule: Mondays, 10:00-11:30 a.m. (March 16, 23, 30; April 13, 20; May 4)
Cohort Capacity: 15-20 participants

If you believe we’re living amid a serious spiritual and socio-economic crisis - and that the UMC has been hindered by controversy - this cohort is for you. The Methodist movement was born in times of profound spiritual, social, and economic upheaval. This cohort explores formative crises and controversies that shaped Methodism and continue to inform today’s challenges. Drawing from Rev. Tyson’s Born in Crisis and Shaped by Controversy (Vols. 1 & 2), participants will examine historical case studies on faith and politics, economic inequality, gender exclusion, racism, and religious prejudice to gain perspective for faithful leadership in uncertain times. Please read chapters 1 and 2 from Vol. 1 prior to the first session.

Click here to register for The Relevant History of Methodism. The registration deadline is March 9.

Communicating with Purpose

Led by: Shelby Winchell, Director of Communications, Upper New York Conference; Matthew Shineman, Director of Communications, Susquehanna Conference
Length: 4 Sessions
Schedule: Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m. (April 8, 15, 22, 29)
Cohort Capacity: No Limit

Communication builds trust and shapes everything we do. In a world of constant change and on-demand expectations, strong communication is no longer optional. It’s essential. This cohort equips church leaders with practical tools to communicate faithfully and confidently within their congregations and the “window shoppers” outside. Topics include communication as ministry, engaging those exploring belonging, licensing and copyright basics, and communicating clearly and faithfully in times of crisis.

Click here to register for Communicating with Purpose. The registration deadline is April 1.

What Is a Narrative Budget - and Should We Use One?

Led by: Rev. Susan Ranous, CPA, Deacon in Full Connection and Christian Stewardship Specialist, Upper New York Conference
Length: 4 Sessions
Schedule: Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (April 16, 23, 30; May 7)
Cohort Capacity: 15 participants

This cohort introduces narrative budgeting as a tool for storytelling, transparency, and year-round stewardship. Participants will learn what a narrative budget is, how to create one, and how to use it effectively in congregational life. Sessions include answering key questions, reviewing steps and examples, beginning work on participants’ own narrative budgets, and exploring how these budgets can support a sustained culture of generosity.

Click here to register for What is a Narrative Budget. The registration deadline is April 9.