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About The About TheDepartment of Christian Formation
The Department of Christian Formation is comprised of 16 members, chosen by the Bishop to serve as a voice for Christian Educators in the diocese. We provide parishes with opportunities for training, community building and resource guidance. The committee strives to support all who are involved with education in the parish. We have trained consultants and you may access their gifts and talents! Contact: Kathy Graham at 205.715.2060 ext. 9229 or email:kgraham@dioala.org We are happy to send a representative to your parish or help you find the resources you need. 
Click on the Podcasts for Faith Formation photo to download a trusted and curated list of podcasts. Don't see your favorite faith formation podcast on our list? Email kgraham@dioala.org to help our resources to grow and share the wider community!
How do we sustain quality Christian formation in the 21st century? Many churches are finding the answer online! ChurchNext offers online Christian Formation that is led by experts in their fields of study and taught from a mainline Christian perspective to help you and your parish to: Form & Shape Disciples, Help People to Cross Important Thresholds, and Build Community. Clergy are invited to learn more about the diocesan ChurchNext Subscription. Reach out! The Department of Christian Formation is here to help.
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Coming this September 15...This is NOT Sunday School!
Learn more about this free, intergenerational, weekly online Christian learning experience for the whole family! Read more about is below. Registration is open now! 
Planning Calendars: We can count on the rhythm of the liturgical year. We can make Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C based on that, knowing that we may end up on Plan J by the time a given event actually occurs. Many thanks to Sharon Ely Pearson for helping us with planning during this time of uncertainty.
Two Alternatives to Fall Planning by: Christine V. Hides
Making plans. Revising plans. Re-revising plans. Re-re-revising plans. Sound familiar? Yes, I’ve led two different planning webinars & a podcast last week. Yes, we’ve shared a rough outline of what fall might look like where I serve. Yet, I might take a break from planning because holding everything loosely these days while waiting to hear what school might be like for my daughters is exhausting. Every parent I know is pretty anxious. With that in mind, here are my two, super simple alternatives to fall planning: click tab below to read more.. Stay connected to your parishioners with excellent course offerings from our friends at ChurchNext. Rectors or Lay leaders in our diocese are invited to take and present courses using the ChurchNext subscription offered by the Department of Christian Formation. Many leaders are presenting the courses using the Zoom platform during the time that we are not meeting face-to-face. Want to know more? Reach out to us! Fill in the ChurchNext Contact Form on this page, and we will be in touch!
Let's Fight Racism Together Through Education: Take 5 Classes, Earn an Affirmation of Awareness Certificate from ChurchNext
You're invited to take the courses through our diocesan ChurchNext subscription. Submit the ChurchNext Contact Form on this page to get connected, or email: kgraham@dioala.org with Subject Line: CN Racial Awareness Courses. Once you complete all five courses, email us with your: Full Name, Parish, City and we will send your certificate.
Want to know more about the tract of courses that St. Stephen's, Birmingham created for Sunday Christian Formation time? Click the Home Life Series below for a full description of courses. Thanks to the good folks at St. Stephen's for sharing! A few words from those who are using ChurchNext Online Christian Formation in their parish: St Stephen’s, Birmingham We began using ChurchNext courses for our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening programs. We developed Home Life series course tract using the video courses on topics like Difficult Children, Money Management, Being Single, and Prayer. Our church has responded very well to the video series and the following discussion. Each "For Groups" course includes a facilitator and participant guides that you may download and print. The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Guntersville: With an iPhone and AppleTV, we had an instant video series that was thoughtful and engaging. The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Rainbow City “I used ChurchNext for Congregations as a supplement to my Adult Confirmation Class. The courses offered a wonderful way for those seeking confirmation to learn on their own time and then come to Sunday class ready for in-depth discussion. I am grateful to our diocese for supporting this extremely helpful Christian Formation resource.” The Rev. Michael Goldsmith Grace Episcopal Church, Anniston I found CN very helpful and used it in a variety of settings. In the spring during the Sunday morning Christian Ed time, I used different courses that focused on Spiritual Practices to highlight different practices. I have also used classes for Wednesday evening programming and I used two during Confirmation classes. The format is good for jump-starting conversations in groups. There are usually 4-5 short segments in each course so the time required can vary depending on what is available or how much conversation is generated. The Rev. Dr. Lee F. Shafer |