Christian Formation is a lifelong process of growing in our relationship with God, self, others and all of creation. In our formation we transform, grow and develop into what God wants of us. This page offers the following resources for growth in Jesus for both individuals and congregations: Youth and Adult Formation, Seasonal Resources, Online Resources, and links shared by other congregations entitled, Around the Diocese.
Youth and Adult Formation
Confirm not Conform Episcopal (CnC)
CnC provides a safe place for youth and adults to explore the breadth of the Christian tradition, to ask questions and express their doubts, and to discover what they truly believe. Originally published in 2007, and revised in 2012, CnC retains a strong Anglican ethos, deeply exploring Scripture, Tradition, and Reason. In addition to more general sessions on Scripture, church history, the Nicene Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, worship, world religions, and social justice, CnC includes sessions on the Book of Common Prayer, the meaning of Sacraments in the Episcopal tradition, the Church year, the ministry of the baptized, and the baptismal covenant.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides lay persons with the education to carry out the ministry to which they are called. In the Baptismal Covenant, we promise to “continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship…”. EfM offers an opportunity for you to discover how to respond to your call to Christian service.
Seasonal Resources
Advent Calendar (Iona Community)
Originally created in 2015, this timeless Advent Calendar offers a reading, prayer, carol or story to inspire moments of reflection.
Advent Calendar (Mousin & Watters)
Feel free to download and share this seasonal resource courtesy of Thomas Mousin and Merry Watters.
#AdventWord
Sign up to receive a daily meditation with a word and a picture from the Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE). After reading the meditation, you may snap a picture that reflects the theme or your response to it and post it to Instagram and other social media outlets.
Gifts for Life Advent Toolkit
Episcopal Relief and Development provides tools and inspiration to help your diocese, congregation or group plan, construct and host an Advent campaign to support Gifts for Life.
Living Well Through Advent (Living Compass)
Living Well Through Advent includes meditations from the Rev. Scott Stoner, the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, the Rev. Nurya Love Parish, the Rev. Tom Purdy, and the Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor.
Online Resources
Building Faith
A resource website providing practical tools, features, reviews, and articles on Christian formation for children, youth, and adults of all ages. The site is run by Virginia Theological Seminary through their Center for the Ministry of Teaching.
Churchnext
A web site designed to enrich adults’ spiritual lives with a wide variety of topics to be explored in groups or individually.
Episcopal Lifelong Formation
A page offered by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Lifelong Formation with links to Sunday lesson plans, ministry resources, a blog, and a calendar of events across the wider church.
Forma
An association and dynamic community of Christian educators, formation professionals, and their institutional partners that celebrates and upholds the diverse ministries of Christian formation across The Episcopal Church. Blogs, resources, tools and conversation as well as professional enrichment opportunities.
Grow Christians
A weekly blog that is emailed weekly with helpful information for families.
Living Compass-Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind
A web site that helps “outfits individuals, families, congregations, and organizations with tools and training for the journey toward wellness and wholeness.”
Messy Church
A valuable website to find fresh ideas for building a Christ-centered community for all ages based on creativity, hospitality and celebration.
The Society of St. John the Evangelist
Spiritual formation resources from this Episcopal/Anglican monastic order. Resources include Online Meditations to help people start their day with prayer; a Meditative Advent Calendar; Twelve Days of Christmas Meditation Cards; New Year Calendar with Spiritual Resolutions Planner; Lenten Video Series & Workbook; and Easter Meditation Cards. Online resources are free.
Around the Diocese
Liturgical Ministries Profiles: A Customary for the Diocese of Vermont
The Episcopal Church offers a weekly Bible Study on the Revised Common Lectionary written by Episcopal seminarians across the country.