Dear Friends,
The other evening, with a matter of Actual Interpersonal Significance on my mind, I found myself looking at just about anything to avoid addressing it. The weather. The news. Every other app on my phone (already relatively free of social media) that might have an update. Even the dishes.
Welcome to the digital age: With smartphones, we have a bottomless pit of distraction in our pockets. The illusion of learning, or getting up to date, or crossing something off the list, adds to the human tendency we already have of avoiding real work, or change, or the person next to us. When we look up, time has passed, but we haven’t moved.
The same applies to our faith communities. It’s hard to build relationships or listen to each other when we’re chasing different goals and pursuing conversations that respond to whatever the latest topic is – whether it’s actually urgent, or just new and distracting. Outrage and the lesser angels of our nature, displayed on social media, only add to the dynamic.
One approach you might take in response to our collective penchant for distraction: Rather than pursuing more formation-as-entertainment, invite your community into one conversation with multiple access points. This pedagogical strategy might not be the sexiest thing in your inbox right now, but I’m telling you: it’ll save you time in the long run, and more importantly, it’ll help your faith community actually attend to what God might be doing among you.
In a faith community, one conversation with multiple access points might look like . . .
Read the rest here.
In partnership,
The Rev. Susan Daughtry |
Missioner for Formation
Emilia Allen |
Missional Support
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Resources from Convention Now Online
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There's no time like right now to lean into your faith
—
exploring the questions that captivate you and honing your skills so you can put your gifts into action in the world. Our next courses begin on October 7, so don't delay!
Upon completion, receive a voucher for half off the cost of your next course.
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Register now for courses opening
Oct. 7 & Nov. 5
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Tell Us: How is our partnership with ChurchNext working for you?
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For a few years, the School for Formation has hosted our own ECMN 'portal' with ChurchNext -- allowing you to access short formation videos at no cost. Have you used the courses at
https://ecmn.pathwright.com/library/
?
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Friday, October 4, 2019, 1pm – 4pm
ECMN Retreat Center in Faribault
This three-hour course covers the theology behind the canons of the Episcopal Church, with a deep dive into Title IV, the ecclesiastical discipline process. Students will learn what constitutes an offense under Title IV as well as how the disciplinary process works, including its impact on faith communities. Students will also cover mandated reporting.
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Recommended by Sarah Barnett, your Missioner for Children, Youth, and Camps
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"
As Episcopal clergy from Latinx backgrounds, we have a particular view of this challenge and opportunity.The
challenge
is not about addressing
dwindling numbers
, but how to move beyond “whiteness” as the normative operating frame in the church—in all ways from the structure of the polity to the diocesan and parish setting."
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"Paul’s revelation to the Ephesians was that embedded in their local churches was the revealed mystery that Christ is known to a greater extent, and even perhaps to the fullest stature, when displayed by both Jew and Greek living in unity for the gospel."
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"What does the gospel have to say to a broken and brokenhearted world in this moment, and does that gospel message necessitate changing what I had planned to preach tomorrow?"
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Workshops October 3 - 6, 2019
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Learn how to excavate, craft, and share stories from your own life. Through presentation, contemplative exercises, and a variety of narrative practices, participants will learn the power of personal storytelling for teaching, preaching, personal growth, and spiritual formation. This is a great introduction for pastors, teachers, nonprofit leaders, business professionals, students, and community builders of all kinds.
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St. Francis’ feast day is almost upon us, and though few know it, there are beautiful liturgies available for blessing of animals. In 2015 General Convention authorized a series entitled, “Honoring God in Creation.” The liturgies weren’t sizeable enough for Church Publishing to publish them in their own volume. But they are authorized, lovely, ready for use, and available on-line.
Click here
and scroll to p. 231.
Thanks to Devon Anderson for sharing this link.
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October 26, 2019, Minneapolis
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is heading on the road with Dr. Rolf Nolasco to bring his workshop, "God's Beloved Queer: Awakening & Flourishing the Queer Soul" to Minneapolis! Nolasco is professor of pastoral theology as well as a trained psychotherapist and the author of numerous books, including his latest,
God’s Beloved Queer
. All are welcome to attend this workshop, in particular LGBTQIA+ persons and those who work in and with the LGBTQIA+ community.
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November 18-19, 2019
Eden Prairie, MN
As the pace of change in our world rapidly increases, the church needs to take stock of where to adapt and where to remain rooted through transition. Workshops with Brian McLaren, Rozella Haydée White, Tyler Sit, and more will inspire you and build your skills for adaptive leadership.
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An Online Conference for the Intersection of Parenting and Progressive Faith
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Leading Well Learning Retreat
Refine your capacity to work effectively with staff and volunteers.
Explore your gifts, strengths, and values, and their implications for leadership. Practice what it means for you to live and lead well. Learn ways to interpret your ministry context. Take time for worship, prayer, rest, and fellowship.
More here.
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Do you participate in the CPG pension plan?
October 30 - 31, 2019
Chaska, MN
Planning for Wellness Conferences are designed to provide you with the information you need to set goals, create a financial plan, and to take practical steps - small steps you can fit into your life - to improve your health.
Find out more
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November 2-3, 2019
Minneapolis
Where is the Spirit at work in this world? How do we act in ways that challenge injustice while being rooted in the presence of God?
More here.
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Rooted in Jesus
January 21 - 24, 2020
Atlanta, GA
It’s time for the Episcopal Church to come together as disciples of Jesus and take a bold new step into the next decade. Let’s spend four days together, talking about discipleship, leadership, evangelism, formation, preaching, and much more—so we can go out and be the Body of Christ. Together, we are stronger.
Find out more
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Sewanee Ministry Collaborative
A program that will create mutual mentoring groups for clergy, focusing on contexts where mentorship is known to be especially important—Latinx/Hispanic ministries; Black ministries; rural ministries; and for clergy trained in non-traditional theological education programs, with a special focus on women across all four groups.
Click here to apply.
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Small group facilitation guide & curriculum
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Share what's on your reading, podcast, or viewing list!
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