Spiritual Formation

• The Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce
• The Rev. Alisa Carmichael
• Mary Chiles
• The Very Rev. Don Compier
• The Rev. Larry Ehren
• Cosette Hardwick
• Anita Philbrick
• Clare Stern-Burbano
• The Rev. Kim Taube
• Milt Tootle
• The Rev. Brittany Sparrow Savage

Let’s keep in mind:

• Children are full members of the church by virtue of their Baptism.
• Children have profound experiences of the mystery and presence of God long before they can put these experiences into words.
• We are called to proclaim the Gospel to children in a way that empowers them as disciples and ministers.
• We are called to pass on the language and practice of faith to enable children to articulate, share and proclaim their experience of the Holy.
• We are called to be in ministry “with” and “for” children, not “to” children.
• Formation is growth in knowledge, service and love of God; it engages the whole person for a life in Christ.
• Children who are valued for their gifts and are invited to participate in and contribute to the life of the whole community are more likely to continue to engage with a community of faith as they mature.
• When children have the opportunity to build relationships with people in multiple generations, those relationships support the development of lifelong disciples of Christ.

• safe, loving, and wholesome atmosphere for young people
• programs which helps young people become formed in their faith
• variety in worship experiences that help young people connect with God and one another
• teaching about the Anglican expression of Christianity
• the means for young people to develop their individual prayer and spiritual life
• assistance for young people as they develop values and ethical norms
• interaction with adults who authentically model the Christian faith
• activities (games, sports, crafts, etc.) which involve fun and the building of sense of worth

• Think of the church movements initiated by young adults like St. Benedict (father of Western monasticism), St. Ignatius of Loyola who formed the “companions of Jesus” (Jesuits) and St. Francis of Assisi – all young adults turning their attention toward God.
• Young adults want faith to be personally meaningful and first-hand. The church can be a valuable expression in the lives, impacting how they live, how they relate, and how they grow. Church needs to be become something they want to do.
• Young adults need to be prepared for the spiritual challenges that will come and the faith questions they will face.
• Campus Ministries serve as places of community which may center around shared meals, regular worship, pastoral care and community service. ECM is a lively place for mentoring the Christian formation of both seekers and those who grew up in Episcopal churches. Currently, there is an active Campus Ministry meeting weekly at Christ Church in Springfield. The Reverend Bradley Heuett would be most happy to speak with anyone interested in starting this ministry in their ‘neck of the woods’!

• Formation is foundational to everything we believe and do.
• Education is part of formation, but so are mission, liturgy and fellowship.
• Faith formation happens – either intentionally or unintentionally. Every life experience is an opportunity to live out our Baptismal Covenant.
• People are hungry to know why we believe what we do. Christian formation is essential to instilling that deep understanding and knowledge to empower Christians to be able to say what they believe in.
• As life goes on, Scripture takes on new connections. It constantly presents new situations and ideas.
• It is important to develop child faith into adult faith
• Formation encompasses learning, action and reflection; it is informal and formal.
• The premise of Christian formation informs how we conduct the Church’s mission. Mission then involves sharing stories as well as building hospitals, social transformation as well as personal service.
• Educating ourselves as adults is one of the most important things a church can help us do.