‌
Hello Faith Formation Community,

In some ways I can hardly believe it is the middle of August and in others it feels like I am stuck on a treadmill that will not stop! I can imagine maybe you are having similar feelings. As we enter the fall with so much unknown, planning is at best, a challenge. Deciding what to keep, what to shelf, and what to create, I have decision making fatigue just thinking about it! So many of the formation leaders I have talked with over the last few weeks have told me about their plans A, B, C all the way to Z. I am right there with you, feeling a little bit like Elsa in Frozen II, heading out "into the unknown"!

In that unknown will be the need to offer pastoral care for children, youth, and adults who have and will experience different levels of stress, anxiety, and isolation as this pandemic persists. How do we respond to them? How are we taking care of ourselves so that we can support those in our parishes and communities who need it most? Often times the topic of mental health is glossed over in the church. It can be a sticky issue for so many. It has created feelings of shame and isolation for those who have experienced it. What has become very clear is we can not be stuck in the shadows regarding the mental health and well being of all fo God's children. Our willingness to bring it out in to the open and talk about it is critical. This begins with simple conversations about feelings. It should included how we are coping with the changes in our day to day lives that have resulted from COVID-19. In the coming weeks be on the look out for a series on Mental Wellness. The hope is to offer opportunities designed for Middle Schoolers, for High Schoolers and possibly an offering for parents.

And, if we can be real for a moment, just last week in North Carolina on top of a pandemic we had a hurricane, tornadoes, and an earthquake. Maybe none of those things impacted you or maybe the all did! In any case it did nothing to lower my heart rate, thats's for sure. I have always loved Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." There is a beautiful breath prayer using this verse that can be found HERE. And right now, I would like things to just be still! So in a moment where I feel stuck in my own stress or anxiety, I lean into that prayer. I hope if you find yourself stuck in that kind of place this prayer will be helpful to you too.

Stay safe and well,

Program Officer for Youth, College Campus and Young Adult Ministries
This post from Building Faith creatively transforms a traditional "Backpack Blessing" into a way to mark how the new school and program year will be starting with more digital and virtual platforms.

Also from Building Faith, this resource is a great way to regather both by individual age groups or intergenerationally as the program year kicks off. Games are family friendly and familiar.
Thursday, August 20th - 3 PM
This webinar hosted by Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary features panelist from across the church sharing their ideas on how to engage people in faith formation beyond the screen during continued gathering restrictions.

Registration can be found HERE.
Cost- $10 - $20
A recording and files including all links and resources shared will be emailed to participants following the webinar. EVEN if you cannot attend on the 20th, if you register you will receive all the materials!
"We created Catalyst to build a community of Christian leaders who support, encourage, and challenge each other toward vital and vibrant faith formation in their churches."
This online resource by Vibrant Faith provides a variety of resources on all aspects of Christian Formation across any age demographics. Catalyst seeks to be a platform that transforms the way churches engage in faith formation.
Planning Guides, Calendars & Ideas

Revised 2020-2021 Program Calendar Planning Guides from Sharon Pearson Sharon Pearson is an editor and Christian Formation Specialist

Both of these are from Christine V. Hides who is a Provisional Deacon in the United Methodist Church. She has excellent posts and resources and in these two offers ideas of ways to connect and reconnect to your parish this fall during continued COVID-19 restrictions.

5 Questions to Determine if Volunteers are Ready - Whether you are returning to in person worship and gathering or not, Christian Formation will begin anew in a few weeks. Have you checked in with your volunteers? This post from Ministry Architects offers 5 ways to ensure you are ready and that your ministry volunteers are too.
Ministry Architects shares five ways that you can help support and partner with parents during these unprecedented times.
This is an intergenerational twelve-session verse by verse study of the Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew. This curriculum is flexible and adaptable in a variety of ways. It can be used with individual age cohorts, but would also make a wonderful intergenerational formation offering.
For families with elementary aged children. When you sign up for their email list, you can receive step by step instructions and a 10% off coupon code to make Sunday School at Home kits for your parish. Prices are sliding based on the number of people you are preparing kits for!
From Fuller Youth Ministry Institute this 4 week curriculum is designed to help High School Students know they are not alone in their anxious feelings about the world we live in. Provided with the purchase of this curriculum are bible study and lesson guides, podcasts for parents, and sharable graphics.
Though begun in 2013, this comprehensive library of resources is available for use and a great way to continue to engage parishioners of all ages in faith formation at home. Categories are broken into six age groups: Intergenerational, Families with children, just children, teens and family, young adults, and adults and couples. All are available in downloadable formats.
Youth & Campus Ministry Information
More information about other regularly scheduled youth events will be out following Labor Day. The East Carolina Youth Council will be meeting to discuss creative we ways we can still gather as community. Right now Sr. High Fall Break is planning to be Nov. 6th - 8th in a mostly online platform. Registration information will be available for that event after Labor day.
Campus Ministry Connection
High school seniors and current college students headed to universities and colleges across North Carolina can connect with the Episcopal Campus Ministry through "Just One Thing."

This one-page form will send contact information for the student to the Campus Ministry on college campuses where there are ministries. In the Diocese of East Carolina, this includes ECU in Greenville and UNCW in Wilmington.

In addition connections can be made at Fayetteville State University.

Click HERE to fill out the form for "Just One Thing" and get connected with an Episcopal Campus Ministry near you .

Want to connect a student to a campus ministry beyond North Carolina? Contact Emily Gowdy Canady for assistance!
The Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina | 252-522-0885 | www.diocese-eastcarolina.org