In November, I introduced our readership to the newly designed resources on our CT Conference website related to faith formation. I hope you've been able to open our pages and get some idea of what is there in each section. For the next several months I will highlight a section at a time to offer a deeper look into what we're curating on your behalf, to invite you to engage these resources and solicit your feedback. While it is early in the process of forming these newly designed pages, eventually, we will want to know how or if they are meeting your needs.
Today we are going to focus on
Stories.
As people of faith, our connections to the biblical story, to the stories of those who have come before us in the faith, to those who are sisters and brothers on the journey today and to the activity of God in our midst are integral to our fabric as a community. We learn in many ways and are shaped in many ways through our engagement with stories and the testimony of another. While we are no longer an oral culture, our stories now find expression in new places in the public sphere. Whether on social media, a website or a personal blog site, these contexts offer us unique ways to share our stories and hear from those who are touched or resonate in some way, making potential connections richer and deeper. We find the stories of others we may not have encountered otherwise. Here we may find words of challenge, inspiration, hope and motivation. Through stories, our lives are enriched.
So too, small group gatherings, bible studies, social and fellowship opportunities all provide connection points to the ongoing story and stories we share. Without story, an aspect of our faith and even our humanity is diminished.
Below you'll find more information about our plans for stories in the upcoming months and about how to engage some of the stories we've shared to launch this new space.
Stories
- A place for sharing faith shaping stories or testimonies and exploring these reflections for new meaning for disciples.
Be sure to connect to our three part series with Potter
Trevor Youngberg curated by Faith Formation Team Member Rev. Ashley Grant. This three-part video series is accompanied by conversation guide and suggestions for engagement as individuals or in small groups.
In the future, we'll share stories of congregations vitalizing faith formation in some way, of leaders stepping out and stepping up to new realities, of new leaders called to serve CT UCC congregations and of best practices enlivening faith formation experiences.
For now, our three part series offers a way into an understanding of~
How or in what way is God calling you? Who may offer insight into call? What role does discernment play as you respond to a call to lead? What is the process for discerning and more!
