Program Development Strategic Planning

DEBRA MASTRONI-KENYON

Milford, CT ***** 203-***-**** ***************@*****.***

Seasoned Faith Formation Practitioner offering 20 years of experience in pastoral care and spiritual leadership to growing church. Committed to creating thriving community and guiding individuals transformed by gospel. Successful background in organizational leadership, ministry program development and mission-oriented strategic planning.

• Curriculum Design

• Program Planning

• Community Service

• Discipleship training

• Biblical Knowledge

• Congregational Vitality and growth

• Small Group Facilitation

• Messy Church Trained

• Collaborative Partnerships

• Youth Mentoring

• Volunteer Management

• SafeConduct Policy Writing

Youth Director, Star Gathering 2, 06/2024 - 08/2024 Star Island Gathering 2 Co-chairs – Isles Of Shoals, NH

• Planned activities ahead of the Conference for Youth, ages 14-18

• Communicate with Guardians ahead of the Conference

• Lead Youth in planned, and unplanned activities

• Built a meaningful community with meaningful experiences

• Worked within allocated budget and keep accurate records

• Worked within all SafeConduct and Island Safety Guidelines Director of Faith Formation, 04/2021 - 03/2024

Enfield United Church of Christ – Enfield, CT

Created welcoming atmosphere conducive to spiritual growth by maintaining clean, organized, and inviting faith formation spaces.

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• Recruited and trained diverse team of dedicated volunteers to assist in various aspects of faith formation PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

SKILLS

WORK HISTORY

programs.

Sourced, modified and prepared class curricula and targeted lesson plans based on subject matter requirements.

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Served as resource for congregants seeking guidance on matters related to faith development and spiritual growth.

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• Enhanced congregant engagement by developing and implementing dynamic faith formation programs.

• Kept program children safe and secure at all times with proactive monitoring strategies.

• Worked within allocated budget, and keep accurate records

• Delivered weekly Children's Messages

• Coordinated coverage for nursery care

• Cultivated positive and healthy relationships with children and youth and their families

• Redesigned and rebooted youth/teen fellowship programs, recruited and supported volunteers and leaders

• Attended weekly staff meetings and meet with pastor as necessary

• Was team player on small staff

• Fulfilled all necessary SafeConduct required training (as identified) Attended monthly Faith Formation meetings and was available to monthly Church Council meetings as needed

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Office Administrator, 09/2021 - 03/2024

Enfield United Church of Christ – Enfield, CT

• Assisted Pastor with any task assigned including planning and implementation of events and programs

• Assist all staff members with administrative duties

• Reformed and Manage Stewardship and Finance Programs

• Kept Financial and Stewardship records and prepare reports

• Prepared weekly bulletin, monthly newsletter, annual report, and annual directory

• Responsible for SafeConduct records, employee records, and insurance requirements

• Responsible for buildings schedules and maintenance appointments

• Worked with wedding and baptism families

• Maintained church files, including records of church committees

• Prepared church mailings and Pastor correspondence

• Maintained church lists and groups: membership, mailing, birthdays, and database

• Reconciled account files and produced monthly reports.

• Maintained church calendar with schedule for buildings use

• Assisted with publicity and public relations

• Tracked office supplies and restocked low items to keep team members on-task and productive. Demonstrated exceptional multitasking abilities while juggling diverse responsibilities, including reception duties and ad-hoc administrative tasks.

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• Answered multi-line phone system, routing calls, delivering messages to staff and greeting visitors. Minister of Faith Formation, 07/2016 - 02/2021

Monroe Congregational Church, UCC – Monroe, CT

Provided leadership of educational ministry of the church, including identifying gifts of lay leaders, training them, and promoting their involvement

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Worked with CE Board to set goals and priorities, recommended curriculum (revisions as needed), and coordinated a calendar of educational events

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Suggested Christmas Pageant, coordinated rehearsals and costumes, decided upon musical selections with Junior Choir Directors

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Designed engaging youth programs that incorporated creative activities, team-building exercises, and age-appropriate theological discussions.

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• Coordinated & team-taught Confirmation program (high school freshman) Was responsible for Vacation Bible School and then it's reformation into a successful intergenerational evening program

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• Coordinated and lead adult education programs (intergenerational, seasonal)

• Welcomed, orients and integrates new families into the church

• Coordinated with CE Board chairperson(s) to plan and execute monthly meeting Participated in other meetings pertaining to educational mission of the church when needed (Planning, Council)

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Updated church's online presence and print media to highlight educational ministries and enhanced communication

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Worked with SafeConduct committee to ensure all volunteers are screened and trained to work with children and youth - spent 18 months with ad-hoc group rewriting policy

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• Delivered Children's Messages

• Kept current with latest research, methods, and materials for religious education and youth ministry Promoted Our Church's Wider Mission, the United Church of Christ, Silver Lake Conference Center, and other relevant ministries

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Ministry Coordinator for Children and Youth, 09/2012 - 04/2016 North Haven Congregational Church, UCC – North Haven, CT

• Provided leadership and oversight on Sunday mornings to administer church school.

• Oversaw recruitment of teachers, leaders, and establish a viable list of trained substitutes. Oversaw administration of program through effective registration of new students, recording of weekly attendance, keeping up-to-date records of enrollment data, and informing Minister of data on new families.

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• Oversaw and facilitated curriculum and resource selection with Christian Education Board.

• Oversaw maintenance of classroom supplies and resources.

• Developed annual budget with the Christian Education Board.

• In cooperation with the Minister, supported confirmation education as appropriate and agreed upon.

• Participated with lay leaders and volunteers in retreats, mission trips/projects, as time allows.

• Worked with adult advisors to plan and administer (and attend) activities of youth ministry as needed.

• Coordinated youth involvement in worship.

• In cooperation with the Minister or worship team, coordinated intergenerational worship.

• Participated in seasonal programming (Advent, Lent, etc.). Provided regular and consistent communication with the congregation by way of the church newsletter, email, and other social media.

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Attended Christian Education Board meetings occasionally and assist in formation, coordination, promotion, and evaluation of programs and policies.

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• Suggested areas of interest for development such as family involvement and partnership, etc. Office Manager, 04/2012 - 11/2014

Woodmont United Church of Christ – Milford, CT

• Prepared weekly bulletin, monthly newsletter, and annual report and directory. Oversaw of building maintenance including negotiating with and scheduling contractors for repairs and improvements.

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• Maintained church files including records of church committees.

• Prepared church mailings and pastor correspondence. Acted as receptionist, including being aware of pastor's schedule and relaying messages to pastor, staff, and offices of church.

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Handled sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality of company documents and personnel records.

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• Maintained all church lists: membership, mailing list, birthdays, and church data base.

• Maintained church calendar with schedule for building use.

• Assisted with publicity and public relations.

Director of Christian Education, 10/2009 - 09/2012 Woodmont United Church of Christ – Milford, CT

Supervised Church School, including curriculum selection and preparation, teacher recruitment, training and support.

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• Supervised Nursery Attendant and oversee Nursery.

• Effective administration of Christian Education Ministry. Strengthened faith formation through regular assessment and evaluation of program effectiveness, making adjustments as needed to better serve participants'' needs.

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• Developed and administered annual budget.

• Offered Christian education, pastoral care and spiritual support in high-stress environment.

• Lead the High school Youth group and coordinated four mission trips to an Indian Reservation Church Administrator, 12/2005 - 10/2010

First United Church Of Christ – Milford, CT

• Assisted all staff members with administrative duties.

• Reformed and Managed Stewardship and Finance Programs.

• Kept Financial and Stewardship records and prepared reports.

• Prepared weekly bulletin, monthly newsletter, annual report, and annual directory.

• Responsible for Safe Church records, employee records, and insurance requirements.

• Responsible for buildings schedules and maintenance appointments.

• Worked with wedding and baptism families.

• Maintained church files, including records of church committees.

• Oversaw church bulletin boards, information tables, and name tags.

• Prepared church mailings and Pastor correspondence. Acted as receptionist, including being aware of the church's schedule and relayed messages to the pastor, staff, or officers of the church.

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• Maintained church lists and groups: membership, mailing, birthdays, and data base.

• Maintained church calendar with schedule for buildings use.

• Assisted with publicity and public relations.

Some College (No Degree): Ministry Preparation

Pathways Theological School - Tucker, GA

Course of study as approved by the Fairfield East Association, Committee on Ministry to fill educational gaps for Ordained Ministry

BA: Religious Education and Leadership, 05/2015

Defiance College

Minor: Christian History

Member In discernment, Member in Discernment with the Fairfield East Association, Southern New England Conference United Church of Christ for Ordination August 1, 2017 – March 2, 2021.

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Member In discernment, Member in Discernment with the New Haven Association, Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ for Ordination since September 14, 2023.

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EDUCATION

AFFILIATIONS

• Association of United Church Educators, Board Treasurer

• New England Association of United Church Educators, Chairperson Community of Practice Facilitator, Facilitator for a Faith Formation Practitioner Community of Practice since 2019. This is a stipend position through the Southern New England Conference, UCC.

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Faith Formation Certification Program Instructor, Instructor for the Faith Formation Certification Program since 2023. This is a stipend position through the Southern New England Conference, UCC.

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Animating Antiracism in Faith Formation Facilitator, Facilitator of a racial justice educational series designed specifically for Faith Formation Leaders. This is s stipend position through the United Church of Christ Network of Wider Church Youth Ministries.

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EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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