College for Congregational Development

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Welcome to the College for Congregational Development (CCD)! At our 208th Convention, Bishop Jolly cast the vision for our diocese: “Connected in Beloved Community, we seek to be faithful, healthy, effective, and sustainable sharers of the transformative love of Jesus.” CCD's week-long intensive training experience will teach the Diocese of Ohio exactly how to do that. In 2026, we will complete Year A at Bellwether Farm from August 2-7.

Often described as “tools plus hope”, CCD is a two-week program (one week per year) that teaches a set of tools and lenses from the best practices of organization and congregational development. This learning helps us approach the changing landscape of faith communities. It gives us the ability to plan and innovate together with everyone working toward the same goal, using the same vocabulary. After completing one year, participants put together an “intervention” to try out the new skills they’ve learned. It does not matter which “Year” students choose to start—the point is just to start!

CCD is heavily subsidized by the Diocese of Ohio, so we are able to offer this week of experiential learning for $850 for Diocese of Ohio participants staying in a single room, $950 for out-of-diocese participants staying in a single room, and $600 for those who choose to have a roommate. This is an immersive, intensive learning experience, so best practices are to stay overnight and be fully present in the learning environment.

A few things to know: CCD is always a full day of learning and group interaction, so before choosing to have a roommate, please carefully consider how you will manage your energy and still be able to participate fully in every session, including worship and meal times. If you choose to have a roommate, please register together. Finally, we want to do all in our power to make this experience accessible to as many people as possible, so a limited number of scholarships are available. Please reach out to the Rev. Leah Romanelli DeJesus to request assistance.

Registrations and payments must be received by June 1, 2026. Refunds will not be available after that time.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What time should I arrive?
You may arrive at Bellwether starting at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 2. Our first event will begin at 4:00 p.m. We will not check into our rooms until after dinner, so please plan accordingly. Bellwether is working overtime to have their facilities ready for us after hosting a group that ends Sunday morning, and we are grateful to them for their hard work!

When will we end?
CCD will end after lunch at noon on Friday, August 7.

May I attend a work-related Zoom meeting or go to the dentist during the week?
We respectfully request that you be where you are, with your mind and feet firmly planted on the farm. Please reschedule any meetings or appointments before or after our time together. This includes vestry meetings.

What does a typical day at CCD look like?
Although every day is slightly different, we follow this general flow. As previously noted—this is an intensive learning experience!

8:00 AM Breakfast
8:45 AM Morning Prayer
9:30 AM Plenary Session
10:45 AM Break
11:00 AM Small Groups
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Small Groups
2:30 PM Break
3:00 PM Plenary
5:30 PM Break
6:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Evening Prayer

How do I graduate?
After completing both years of CCD, completing and submitting an intervention, and tackling the required reading materials found at the front of your manuals, you may request to take the test at any time during our week together. The test is located in the front of your CCD manuals and is a simple fill-in-the-blank style form. Although this may feel daunting, please remember that you only need a 75% and you may take the test as many times as you wish during the week. Graduation will take place Thursday evening (Aug. 6) following dinner. We look forward to celebrating your achievement!

How do I prepare for the week?
CCD does sometimes request a small amount of pre-work. We will communicate that to you as soon as the decision is made for the year. The curriculum is reviewed and edited every year to keep it current, so we expect to know sometime in late May. Otherwise, please arrive at Bellwether feeling as centered and open to new experiences as possible, ready to engage and grapple with new people and ideas.

What should I bring?
We will provide a manual for you. This is an adult learning environment, so while we discourage bringing anything that may take you "out of the room" by distracting you with games, social media, and email, you know yourself best. Please bring what you need to feel centered and successful. It is often helpful to take pictures of the models the presenters draw, so you may want your phone handy for that. Participants are encouraged to stand and stretch, bring knitting to busy their hands, etc. as needed. Additionally, although free time is limited, you are encouraged to spend it enjoying the beauty of Bellwether. Please bring appropriate clothing like shoes for hiking and a hat if you plan to walk the trails. Bellwether has bug spray.

What should I wear?

We are spending a week on a working farm in the hottest month of the year. Dress is casual! No collars needed, whether clerical or polo. Please dress for your comfort, remembering that we will be inside the Grange most of the time and it will be much cooler inside than outside. Thursday evening we will have "special dinner" before graduation and people often choose to dress more "church nice" for that dinner. It's not required—only if you prefer. Sports coats with khakis, a sundress, your favorite t-shirt, wildflower crowns made from what you find on a hike—wear whatever feels celebratory to you!