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 educators, laity and clergy, volunteer and professional, 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, 11:00 am -1:30 (including lunch) for support and sharing. 

Four to five times a year, CENet hosts a speaker series with a longer program, also on Thursday, which is intended to be of interest to the wider community. Speakers and topics are listed here. 

For more information on CE-Net contact Lynn Farlin lfarlin@ascension-norfolk.org, Harper Lewis, saec.harper15@verizon.net , Co-Chairs, or Caroline Black, cblack@diosova.org.

Formation Leaders: Essential Building Dimensions

Equips formation professionals to be effective leaders in the Episcopal Church through sharing and developing resources, relationships, nurturing and support. Are you a paid lay Christian formation minister or clergy whose primary role is formation within a congregation? Are you seeking a collegial group to support you in your ministry? Are you interested in being a mentor or being mentored? Consider joining us at Virginia Theological Seminary on August 23-24, 2013. Click here for event flyer.

Registration for this event is not yet open. Check back soon! If you need immediate assistance, please contact Caroline Black, Canon for Formation, cblack@diosova.org.