Christian Formation is a lifelong process the purpose of which is to support the people of God as they seek to live out the Baptismal Covenant and to express their unique calling as followers of Jesus Christ. One of the greatest challenges for the leadership of the Church is the empowerment of all Christians through both formal and informal learning opportunities and experiences. It is the responsibility of the leadership in each congregation to establish and to develop an environment which enables people to discover themselves as God’s people and to carry out the ministries to which they are called. It is through this vision and leadership that the whole congregation comes to feel its responsibility for community and total ministry within the life of the Church.
Christian formation and education includes several committees and commissions whose mission is to provide education and services to members of the diocese. Some of these groups include:
CE-Net
We are a lively group of clergy and laypersons, volunteers and professionals, who work with Christian Formation in parishes around our diocese. CE-Net is committed to life-long, transformational Christian Education through leading, serving, pastoring and developing partnerships in the name of Christ. CE-Net meets on the third Thursday of the month, usually from 9:30-2:00. For more information on CE-Net contact Caroline Black, cblack@diosova.org
Commission on Aging
Anti-Racism Commission (R-1 Task Force)
NAECED is now FORMA
The National Association of Episcopal Christian Education Directors (NAECED) has changed its name. The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation, passed at General Convention 2009, marked a church-wide transformation that recognizes that Christian formation is a life-long journey that occurs in diverse contexts. Now with nearly 400 members NAECED reflects that transformation through membership growth and an ever-expanding diversity of Christian educators across formation networks. Parish and Diocesan Education and Formation, Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Camping & Mission Programs, Campus Ministry, and many others are together under an expanding tent. The board agreed that a name that speaks to our broader identity is necessary as we step into a stronger presence in the church. We have an opportunity to boldly support the work of formation in all its forms.
The name chosen is "forma".
The name "forma" derives from the Latin verb "formare," meaning "to form or to shape." The name reflects our partnership with God's forming people in the Christian faith. The key phrase "Partnering to Inspire Christian Formation" expresses that we are an association of individuals, committed to the ministry of Christian Formation, each bringing our own unique gifts and knowledge. The name change will be a process rather than an event, and we expect to have promotional materials available to all members by March 2012 with a goal to complete the transition by General Convention.
