Our Mission: Supporting lifelong faith formation in the home and congregation |
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God of Grace,
Your deep love for us, even to the point of dying on a cross for us, fills us with gratitude and humility.
Help us to forgive ourselves as you forgive us and extend that compassion to those around us.
Amen.
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A Message from Our President, Diane McGeoch
An Invitation to Breathe
I’ve been reflecting on the importance of collaboration and how valuable it is to our faith formation efforts. We are meant to live in community, connected to the gifts of others. Being in the body of Christ gives us a unique opportunity to live out our gifts alongside many other gifted people. There are many circumstances that can prevent us from living out our gifts to their potential. Faith formation ministries are evolving at a rapid pace, and it can be hard to slow down. We often don’t have time to take a breath and working at full throttle is expected. Another factor is we want to appear competent and in control, and don’t admit to our vulnerabilities or that we may not be gifted in all areas and need help and support.
We are living through a time when huge numbers of people are struggling through loneliness, isolation and depression. Those in ministry have faced enormous challenges that are not going away. We drive ourselves hard because we want to support the people we are called to serve. We can reach a state of burnout and exhaustion very quickly, yet we keep pushing forward. It is in times like these that taking a breath can be life giving. Collaboration can be a part of taking a breath when we lean into our dependence on others.
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Learning Strategies and Resources for Boundless Invitation |
God's World in Community: Spring/Summer
Spring/Summer is a seven-session, flexible, simple resource for intergenerational gatherings from GenOn Ministries, which features short, easy-to-do sessions. Each session includes reading an Acts passage, doing an activity based on the passage, and praying together. Themes include Sharing, Strengthening, Healing, Guiding, Receiving, Choosing and Pouring. Written for all ages, for use in small or large groups in person, online or at home.
The Work of the People: In This Together
In This Together: 5 Films on Loving Our Way Forward points to areas of fracture with ideas of how we can come together regardless of race, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, as one humanity for the healing of the world.
Relationships and Diversity
Relationships & Diversity is an intergenerational session from Vibrant Faith for all congregational members that explores how to be in relationship with others, particularly those who are different from ourselves. The session is designed to be conducted in about 90 minutes and can be adapted for a shorter or longer timeframe..
This book guides young readers in exploring the liturgical seasons. In this third book of her seasonal trilogy, Alary invites children to wonder about and watch for the presence and work of the Spirit here and now, in faith practices of prayer and mindfulness, and through acts of justice, generosity, and kindness to others
Sharing Our Faith Stories – Evangelism Curriculum Resources for Congregations
This Bible study curriculum is designed for congregations to use in their setting and learn about sharing our faith stories in a more relational way. The curriculum can be downloaded from the website and, in addition, YouTube training videos are available..
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Congregation: Anam Cara Community
Pastor: Tim Brown
Interviewed by: Deacon Holly Shipley, Christian Education Network of the ELCA
Pastor Tim Brown lives in Raleigh, NC and works for ELCA Churchwide as the Director of Congregational Stewardship, as well Lead Curator of Anam Cara Online Community. You may also know him for his blog and has written articles in Living Lutheran magazine.
Pastor Brown was interviewed to discuss his ministry with Anam Cara Online Community which began in September of 2021. He is one of three curators of the ministry, along with Jason Chesnut (Lead Curator) and Matt Hansen (Curator).
Anam Cara is a community that is meant to be a place for the placeless. “Anam” is the Gaelic word for soul and “cara” is the word for friend. So literally it means “soul friend.” During the pandemic, the NC Synod approached Tim about exploring an online Christian community. They proceeded to bring together a team of three people who are working bi-vocationally to develop a community for those who have left the church for one reason or another. They also want to provide a place for church leaders looking
Continue reading the interview with Pastor Brown here. |
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Christian Education Network of the ELCA |
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Check out our Facebook group and
join the conversations!
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Building a community which equips, encourages and empowers those engaged in lifelong faith formation in a changing world, the CENetwork will:
- Identify and evaluate resources and educational opportunities
- Facilitate communication and conversations
- Offer guidance, networking and mutual support
- Nurture spiritual growth online and face-to-face
How You Can Support the Christian Education Network
You can become a member or make a one-time donation via PayPal on our website; or, you can purchase from AmazonSmile and designate The Christian Education Network as your charity. We receive a percentage of the proceeds!
Contact Us
CENetwork of the ELCA
PO Box 250009
Holly Hill, FL 32125
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