Con Ed I

Practical, hands-on ministry experience to help you sharpen your skills and better understand your call

Candler School of Theology Contextual Education

The Contextual Education I program gives MDiv students an opportunity to explore a wide range of ministries, contexts, social issues, and pastoral relationships beyond congregational settings.

In this first year of Con Ed, you’ll serve in a social service or clinical setting, where you’ll be introduced to frontline ministry in various forms, like working with low-income families to meet their housing and food needs, building relationships with newly arrived refugees, or serving as a chaplain in a prison, medical center, or with the elder population.

At the end of your first year of Con Ed, you will have gained:

  • The ability to integrate theological concepts with ministry practice
  • Broadened ideas of vocational identity and calling
  • An expanded notion of church and of ministry
  • Skills for leadership in ministries of justice and reconciliation

If you are in the Teaching Parish or the Episcopal and Anglican Studies program, your Con Ed placement may be different from what’s described here. Please see the pages on Teaching Parish and EAS Con Ed for descriptions of those equally awesome Con Ed experiences.

 

Candler School of Theology Con Ed Experience

Con Ed is much more than just volunteering. Here’s what’s involved.

With Candler’s Con Ed, you get more than just hands-on ministry experience, you get a chance to reflect on that experience, plus the guidance of a seasoned site mentor and faculty member. Each week, you’ll spend four hours working at your site and 90 minutes in a reflection group in the fall or 2 hours in an integrative seminar in the spring. 

Choosing a Con Ed I Site

There are several factors to consider when choosing your site for Con Ed I.

First, if you’re a residential student, you’ll choose from five partner sites in the metro Atlanta area. If you’re a hybrid student, you’ll identify a clinical or social ministry setting in your own geographical area in conversation with the Office of Contextual Education. Hybrid students will be grouped into themed cohorts for their reflection groups and integrative seminars. Your site placement stays the same for the academic year.

As you consider which site would work best for you, think about which contexts and experiences will allow you to explore your vocational aims and develop skills for ministry. This won’t be your only opportunity to gain practical ministry experience while at Candler, but it’s a great opportunity to dive in and try something new. And don’t forget to factor in the logistics of getting to and from the site as well as the time the reflection group or integrative seminar meets.

Con Ed I Sites for Residential Students

Lee Arrendale State Prison is the largest women’s prison in Georgia and is located an hour north of Atlanta. Students provide pastoral care to incarcerated women, support chaplaincy programs, and assist the chaplain with worship.

Learn More

Campbell-Stone Apartments provides affordable housing for older adults, with a location in Buckhead (just north of Midtown Atlanta) and another in Sandy Springs (20 miles north of Emory). Students work to develop spiritual care and community programming for residents, including pastoral care, worship opportunities, and group activities.

Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs) are secure short-term centers operated by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). RYDCs are for youths awaiting trial in Juvenile or Superior Court, or awaiting a community placement more suitable for their needs. As chaplain interns, students assist in establishing hope, a commitment to community, and the duty to care by supporting positive change through youth accountability and responsible youth leadership and service.

Learn More

New American Pathways is an Atlanta-based nonprofit with the mission of helping refugees and Georgia thrive. Students can choose between two programs: The Bright Futures After School Program, serving elementary school children, and The English at Home program, offering English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring support to refugees.

Learn More

Toco Hills Community Alliance is a group of faith communities and others working together to help those in need in DeKalb and northeast Atlanta. Con Ed I interns function in a variety of roles, including assisting with packing and distributing groceries, greeting and intake for those receiving services, working directly with volunteers, as well as assisting in locating or developing additional resources.

Learn More

Con Ed I Cohorts for Hybrid Students

Students in the Justice, Advocacy, and Movement Building Cohort will work four hours each week with organizations and ministries in their local communities that support social and economic development, social justice, and community flourishing through organizing and advocacy initiatives. This work may focus on any of a wide range of social justice issues, including economic justice and labor issues, racial justice concerns, health access, educational equity, environmental and climate justice, or other issues of significance to local or regional well-being.

Learn More

Students in the Immigrant and Refugee Accompaniment Cohort will work with organizations and ministries in their local communities that provide support for and stand in solidarity with migrants. This work may take a variety of forms, including initiatives that address the immediate material needs of refugee and immigrant communities; support communities through programs or events (such as after-school programs); or affirm immigrants and refugees in exercising their rights through political or social advocacy.

Learn More

Students in the Food Justice and Sustainability Cohort will work with organizations and ministries in their local communities that address hunger, expand access to nutritious food, build just and sustainable food systems, and care for creation.

Learn more

Students in the Care in Community Cohort will work four hours each week with organizations and ministries in their local settings that provide care to individuals and groups and cultivate or support wider networks of care, with particular attention to individuals and populations who are vulnerable or in crisis.

Learn more

Candler Firsthand

Hear what Con Ed has meant to these students and recent alumni.

Decoration SVG
Candler School of Theology David Fitzer

“An experience that will stick with me forever happened during Con Ed I, when I was able to go amongst the homeless community of Atlanta. During this time I was prayed over and imparted with a ‘sown seed’ for my life. This moment established in me the many ways God can work.”

David Fitzer

MDiv '23

Candler School of Theology Barry Lee
Candler School of Theology Barry Lee

“I realized that serving at a social service agency like a food bank is not so much about the provision of food, but about nourishing the souls of those we encounter, whoever they might be, and that we must be willing to extend ourselves unselfishly for the benefit of others. To me, this is the purpose of community, and embodies the art of loving a neighbor.”

Barry Lee

MDiv '23

Candler School of Theology Emily Badgett
Candler School of Theology Emily Badgett

“I wanted a program that was not fully residential, but had the benefits of an in-person education and formation. My favorite parts were an informal gathering after our Wednesday Con Ed class and worship. We would get dinner at a local restaurant and just process our time together. We’ve made so many good memories and theological debate over falafel.”

Emily Badgett

MDiv '24

Candler School of Theology David Fitzer
Candler School of Theology David Fitzer

“An experience that will stick with me forever happened during Con Ed I, when I was able to go amongst the homeless community of Atlanta. During this time I was prayed over and imparted with a ‘sown seed’ for my life. This moment established in me the many ways God can work.”

David Fitzer

MDiv '23

Candler School of Theology Brittain Lawrence
Candler School of Theology Brittain Lawrence

“Through participation in the Con Ed program, I have been given the opportunity to discern my callings and develop skills and practices of ministry, all while under the nurturing guidance of community.”

Brittain Lawrence

MDiv '24

Candler School of Theology | William Gurtowski
Candler School of Theology | William Gurtowski

“My experience at Candler has helped me to grow in my faith and in my maturity as a human being. The community here has supported me and helped me to further realize who I want to be in life and how I want to contribute to society.”

William Gurtowski

MDiv ' 24

Decoration Graphic