Deborah is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. She has served First Congregational United Church of Christ in South Milwaukee, WI with her husband, Tom.  Deborah is the mother of two grown daughters Anna and Rachel. 

She has a deep joy and passion about faith formation in the life of the church.  She believes strongly that faith formation is centered in Christian practices in our daily lives and homes.

Deborah has served as a keynote speaker and as a workshop and retreat leader for local, regional and national events.  She is a member of the Association of United Church Educators. (AUCE) Deborah is the author of several books including Celebrating at Home: Prayers and Liturgies for Families; Talking to Your Child about the Church Year and Talking to your Child About Sacraments and Celebrations.  She is a writer of various Christian faith formation curriculums and resources. Debbie has had a variety of magazine articles published.  She has an easy style of leadership and a good sense of humor!  She is an engaging and dramatic Biblical storyteller and workshop leader.

Besides her passion for faith formation Debbie enjoys theater arts, baking, sewing, taking trips and tap dancing.  A good cup of coffee, ice cream and a glass of red wine are favorites! (not necessarily together.) 

Debbie is available to provide leadership to your community or regional event.  Contact her for more information by e-mail or phone.  She is also on Face Book and Twitter!   

 

-Here is what others say -

 I had the opportunity to hear Deborah Payden speak on the Domestic Church during The Teaching Ministry portion of the United Church of Christ Wisconsin Conference Lay Academy.  I left my time with Debbie energized and excited about my job of working with children. I was impressed with Debbie’s ability to identify and address the daily struggles of the 21st century family trying to provide a modern day home filled with faith.  As I reflected on Debbie’s lecture and read her book, Celebrating at Home, I felt called to make Christian education my full time job.  I have used Debbie’s teachings in Sunday school, with our youth group, and as a tool to assist our parents and other adults to live out their faith Monday thru Saturday.  Since hearing Debbie lecture I have formed a personal bond with her and have turned to her frequently with questions and ideas, she continues to serve as my mentor and an inspiration to me in my ministry.  Debbie’s work is unparalleled and truly inspirational, you will leave her lectures laughing but motivated.  You will find her books to be not only educational but filled with ideas that are user friendly.  Your soul will be touched in a way that it has never been through singing, laughing, praying, crafting, and true fellowship.  Debbie’s easy going personality makes her very approachable and easy to learn from.

Kristin Underwood
Christian Education Director
Congregational United Church of Christ Neenah/Menasha

Rev. Payden has a true heart for the teaching ministry.  Her presentations are always dynamic; filled with experience and expertise, humor and good will.  Her resources are consistently practical.  Debbie has something to offer novice teachers as well as experienced educators.  Whenever I am planning an education event, retreat, interactive worship or just needing to brainstorm with a creative mind, I know I can call on Debbie and receive her kindness, real faith, honesty and spectacular ideas.
                                 
 Rev. Gail O’Neal, Associate Conference Minister,
 Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ

If you are looking for help that is theologically and biblically solid, check out resources by Debbie Payden. I have been her editor on various projects and could always count on thoughtful and creative manuscripts. She knows why she does what she does. I am delighted that she has found a way to help others with writing and activities that she has used in her ministry!
                
Carol Wehrheim
Presbyterian Christian Educator,
Writer and Editor

When I read Debbie's book, Celebrating at Home, I knew I wanted to introduce her to the families in our congregation.
We invited her for a weekend, to lead a retreat for parents and children and preach. This was in the winter of 2005, and people are still talking about it!

Susan Steinberg
Associate Pastor for Children's Ministries
United Church of Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Thanks for the great retreat.  That is what I miss and I think the churches lack this type of spirituality.
 I enjoyed being there and your presentation.

Rev. Sandra Hamilton
Clergy Women's Retreat
Wisconsin Conference United Methodist Church

Several years ago I attended a presentation by Rev. Payden to local Christian lay educators. That presentation moved me from being a Sunday school teacher primarily concerned with class order and craft supplies to understanding my call from God to nurture, educate and support my students and their parents as they try to discern and respond to their calls of purpose from God. Rev. Payden clearly changed my job description for the better and continues to help by providing meaningful and concise resources for spiritual development. Her resources not only reveal a solid understanding of spiritual development, but they ring with the love of a mother who has raised children of her own and the love of a Christian called to nurture and stimulate the growth of other Christians.                   

Ed Tucker
                                    - Union Congregational United Church of Christ

Debbie's gifts for ministry -- particularly in the retreat setting -- are amazing!  Her programs are well planned and theologically sound.  Intentional program, discussion, and worship times are balanced with community building and self-care opportunities.   

She brings a wonderful sense of humor, a generous and kind heart, and a passion for the church and faith development to every setting.  She is practical, and her ideas and resources really work.  They give meaning to the gathering, and impact and infect individuals to be a "changed people" as they leave to go back to their homes, churches, work, and communities.

Jeff Puhlman-Becker
Managing Director of Pilgrim Center, Green Lake WI
www.ucci.org

The Park's Edge Preschool Staff enjoyed the workshop presentation.  Many said they will use the information in their classroom with the children in the center and with their own families. Thanks again.

The Park Edge Preschool Staff
                               Ellen Kvalheim, Director

I would recommend this program to other  parents!  Debbie was very knowledgeable of her trade and was  funny and easy to listen to.
I got some ideas of traditions that we may want to start in our house.

Participant, Family Day Long Retreat
Eau Claire, WI

 

Photo of Deborah was taken during a presentation at the
Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ
Resource Center Open House in Framingham, MA. 
CLICK HERE to find out more

To view upcoming events Deborah is leading and  for information about bookings
CLICK HERE or contact Rev. Deborah Payden at revdpayden@faithgrowing.com