New York School Of Ministry
NEW YORK CONFERENCE · UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
New York School
of Ministry
“NYSOM does the sacred work of shaping minds for the important work of ministry.”
— Rev. Dr, Marsha Williams, Conference Minister & NYSOM Instructor
Deepening the knowledge, skills, and spiritual life of ministers and lay leaders
About NYSOM
Education for Everyone —
Wherever You Are
The New York School of Ministry (NYSOM) exists to prepare and continually form leaders for the church of today and tomorrow. We offer 16 20-contact-hour core ministry courses on a 3-year rotation, plus workshops and required training, to meet the continuing education needs of ministers and enhance the ministry of lay leaders.
All courses are video-conferenced via Zoom, where participants interact with instructors in real time.
Everyone is welcome — UCC or not, ordained or not, seeking continuing education or simply looking to grow.
“NYSOM does the sacred work of shaping minds for the important work of ministry.”
Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams
Conference Minister – NYSOM Instructor
Ministry Preparation
A Path to Ordained Ministry
Without Going Into Debt
The NYSOM prepares gifted people for authorized ministry. Our educational and formational path provides a way for working people, whose life circumstances prevent them from attending seminary, to gain the knowledge and develop the skills required for faithful and effective pastoral ministry.
Created in 2008 and revised in 2024, our path is carefully curated to help Members in Discernment to develop and demonstrate the capacities to minister in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ. All our participants are juggling many commitments — caring for loved ones, leading small churches, and/or holding secular employment.
Formation for ministry is at the heart of what we’re about: growth in character, faith, ethical understanding, spiritual and emotional maturity, and a developing pastoral identity.
Path at a Glance
- Designed to be completed in 6 years
- 14 core ministry courses (20 hours each)
- 2-year Ministry Practicum (theology, ethics, preaching, pastoral care)
- 2 periods of supervised ministry + mentor meetings
- 2 Yale Divinity School Summer Study intensive weeks
- Cross-cultural experience required
Tuition 2025 – 2026
$1,350 / year · NY Conference
Financial aid available · Per-course fee: $250
“I am so thankful for NYSOM. I am blessed to have been supported by both staff and fellow students from the moment I inquired, right through to ordination. I could not have done it any other way!”
Rev. Eric M. Gramse
Minister, United Church of Christ, Bridgeport
Curriculum
Three-Year Course Rotation
All courses offered via Zoom on weeknights or Saturday mornings · Open to all
2026 – 2027
Introduction to Christian Ethics
American Church History
UCC (Post 1957) History & Polity
New Testament I & II
Ministry Practicum: Theology & Preaching
2027 – 2028
Theory & Practice of Embodied Pastoral Care
Old Testament I
Congregational Life
Introduction to Leadership Theory
Ministry Practicum: Ethics & Practical Issues
2028 – 2029
Old Testament II: Psalms, Wisdom & Prophets
Family Systems & Pastoral Ledership
Liturgy & Worship
Introduction to Theology
Ministry Practicum: Theology & Preaching
Courses may be rearranged based on faculty availability. Each course: 20 contact hours · $250 NY Conference · $345 outside NY Conference
Continuous Education
Workshops & Trainings
For ministers, lay leaders, and all who seek to grow
Core Courses
Audit Any Course
We invite any ministers and lay people to audit our core ministry courses. With scholarship money from the Jeannine Heller Foundation, we work to make learning possible for everyone
“It is a great opportunity to audit a class. I look forward to taking another course. Truly continuing my education!”
Rev. Joanne Ferguson, East Side UCC, Binghamton NY
Workshops
Free Workshops
We offer workshops each year on topics that meet the current needs of ministers and congregations — free of charge, through the generosity of the Jeannine Heller Foundation
Church & Clergy Taxes 101
June 6 · David Cleaver-Bartholomew, Ph.D.
Click with Care: AI Safety for Faith Leaders
June 20 · Rev. Kevin McLemore & Rev. Ryan Henderson
Required Trainings
BAT & CRMT
Boundary Awareness Training
Basic (5 hrs) · Refresher (6 hrs) · Retirement (5 hrs)
Required every 3 years for all ministers
Culturally Responsive Ministry
Current: Culture & Sexuality/Gender (2024 – 2026)
Next: Culture & Disabilities (2026 – 2028)
For information and to register for courses
https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/uccny?tab=home
The New York School of Ministry (NYSOM) is designed to deepen the knowledge, skills, and spiritual life of all who participate. We offer a variety of video-conferenced courses, via Zoom, where participants interact with their instructors in real time and are in conversation with peers “face to face” from their home computers. We offer sixteen 20 contact hour core ministry courses on a three year rotation as well as various short courses, such as Boundary Awareness Training and Culturally Responsive Ministry Training, to meet the continuing education needs of ministers and enhance the ministry of lay leaders.
Link to our Core Ministry Courses listing
Our Standard Educational and Formational Path Toward Ordained Ministry
Our Boundary Awareness Training sessions are open to Members in Discernment and ministers. For each two year module of Culturally Responsive Ministry Training, the first year is open only to Members in Discernment and ministers and the second year is open to ministers and lay leaders. Our core ministry courses and electives are open to everyone who is interested. Everyone is welcome. You might be active in your congregation or not; you might be UCC or not; you might be seeking continuing education or just looking to grow in a new direction.We also work with Committees on Ministry to provide an educational and formational path of preparation for ordination. If you’re wondering whether our alternative educational path might be for you or have questions about our courses, please contact Rev. Marjorie Purnine, Ph.D., Dean of the New York School of Ministry, at mpurnine@uccny.org to schedule a zoom conversation
