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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. Introducing: Thursday Night Bible Study with Vicki Garvey
Join students from around the world and learn about John's Gospel with author and teacher Vicki Garvey. Vicki Garvey is a highly-regarded Bible teacher and for years served as the Canon for Lifelong Education at the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. COURSE DESCRIPTION: There are the three synoptic gospels -- and John, the odd man out. From its first line: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," John's Gospel proves as challenging as it is unique. For six weeks this Epiphany, meet with other students from around the world for a live, online class on the Gospel of John with Vicki Garvey, a respected teacher and author and Canon for Lifelong Education at the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. In this class, Vicki will teach us about the author, origin, setting, and message of the Gospel of John. Classes will meet live on Thursday nights via zoom from January 23-February 27, and they will last an hour. This class is ideal for people participating in the Good Book Club 2020, and for anyone interested in learning more about the Gospel of John. Registration closes for this free course on February 5, so click the link below to register now! https://www.churchnext.tv/library/introducing-john-the-thursday-night-bible-study-with-vicky-garvey/about/ 
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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The Way of Love Lent Calendar features reflections from "Living the Way of Love" by Mary Bea Sullivan. The calendar available at no charge from Church Publishing. Click the link below to download now!
Lent Calendar for Children: "Giving Calendar for Lent 2020" is designed by Jenifer Gamber, text by Mary Ann Lynn and offered to you as a complimentary download below:
Beginning Ash Wednesday, join the Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist and the Department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary in a study of the Signs of Life throughout the holy season of Lent.
Explore the Lenten resources in the tabs below: Light • Water • Food • Shelter • Community - Signs of Life
Worship engages our deepest human needs and has the power to transform our lives. Join the Brothers of SSJE in exploring the signs and symbols at the heart of Christian worship. This free 5-week offering encourages individuals and groups to explore the riches of our worship traditions, liturgy and sacraments, and the art and architecture of our worship spaces, revealing the full meaning of these signs, deepening our experience of Christian vocation and guiding us toward ongoing conversion. Join the Good Book Club!
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, invites the church to join in the Good Book Club by reading the Gospel of John during the Epiphany season 2020. Learn more at goodbookclub.org. You're invited to read the Book of John with Episcopalians around the world this Epiphany! Other resources are available as well. 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 |