Introducing The Sacred Arts Collective
The Sacred Arts Collective is an initiative at Candler School of Theology focused on deeply engaging congregations in the Atlanta area to imagine how to nurture and grow the faith of children through the integration of the arts in worship. We hope to fashion creative learning environments that inspire leaders and families to fully embrace the arts to engage in sensory-rich worship across generations. The Rev. Dr. Khalia J. Williams, Associate Dean of Worship and Spiritual Formation, leads the initiative.
Join Our Cohort
- Be immersed in various sacred art forms (dance, photography, music, etc.) for intergenerational worship with 9-12 other congregational teams.
A Congregational Team includes:
- 2-3 Families (includes children and their caregivers)
- Children’s Ministry Leader/Volunteer (focused on ages 5-12)
- Children’s Ministry Lay Leader/Volunteer
- Senior Pastor
- Worship and Arts Leader
- The cohort year is from August – May.
- Cohort sessions gather on Saturdays from 10am – 2pm on the following dates (lunch included):
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August 14-15, 2026– Children’s Ministry Leaders Retreat (Children’s Ministry Leaders/Primary Contacts only)
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September 12, 2026 – Orientation
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October 24, 2026 – Sacred Art Immersion & Worship Planning
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December 5, 2026 – Sacred Art Immersion
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January 30, 2027 – Sacred Art Immersion & Worship Planning
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March 13, 2027 – Sacred Art Immersion
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May 15, 2027 – Symposium
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For Children’s Ministry Leaders we will have 2 leadership development sessions:
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November 5, 2026
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February 18, 2027
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Yes, it is important that all members of the Congregational Team attend every session. To accommodate busy schedules, we have intentionally reduced the number of meeting dates.
If a team member is unable to attend, you may send a substitute leader to represent them at the session.
The 2026-2027 Cohort will begin August 14-15, 2026, with a retreat for Children’s Ministry Leaders.
Congregational Teams will begin with orientation on September 12, 2026.
NOTE: The next cohort year (2026-2027) will be our last cohort year for The Sacred Arts Collective.
If you are interested in joining a future cohort, please complete this interest form and we will add you to our mailing list.
Upon completion of the cohort year, congregational teams will have the opportunity to apply for an Artist-in-Residence grant for up to $20,000.
A Congregational Artist-in-Residence will be hired for an identified period to work closely with the children’s ministry and worship teams to increase the inclusion of children in worship through creative arts.
Do you have questions about the Sacred Arts Collective? Please contact the Rev. Kristina R. Johnson at krjohn9@emory.edu if you have questions.
Testimonials
Hear from caregivers and leaders who attended our recent children’s listening sessions!
“Thank you for having us in your program. We enjoyed it very much, for the training and the information that you shared with us. We were able to use your information in our church’s ministry and nursery. We would like to thank you on behalf of our church, Community Church of Atlanta.”
Annie Stepp
“We thank God for this space and the sharing that we had, for the gifts for the children and for the special book they provided us. We congratulate The Sacred Arts Collective because they are helping to promote the truth of Jesus in our children. Thank you once again and blessings!”
Yennys Berrios
“As a parent, I received several resources and ideas on how to make sure that youth worship is arranging the connection, setting the atmosphere, and facilitating the meeting, while learning of God. I also received a book for each particular grade level, helping me to understand how to communicate effectively with each level. I look forward to seeing how the involvement moving forward will be fruitful for all those who participated in these sessions.”
Tyler Rouse
