Deputy's Note
Hi Friends,

I hope this email finds you well. I am jumping right in to my role as Bishop's Deputy for Christian Formation, and my primary work is supporting you! I want to be a resource for you as you do the important work of formation at your church, and I am here to help you find resources, think through ideas, and support you in any other way that I can. One of the ways I plan to do that is with this periodic newsletter.

Below you will find some resources for children, youth, families, and adults as well as upcoming events. In future newsletters, I want to share stories of formation taking place throughout our Diocese, too.

I hope to connect diocesan Christian Formation leaders to one another, so that we can share the joys and struggles of this work. With that in mind, please consider joining our Holy Work with Children Book Study or sign up for one of the Office Hours sessions, listed below. My hope is that both will be spaces where I can meet many of you and where you can also meet other people doing formation work throughout the Diocese.

I am available for one-on-one meetings, as well, and can set up an in-person visit to your church to talk about formation if that interests you. If you have questions, want to meet with me, or set up a church visit, please feel free to contact me, at formation@dwtx.org.

As our churches settle into the rhythms of fall formation and begin planning for the seasons of Advent and Christmastide, I am grateful to share this ongoing work with you.

Peace,

Suzanna Green
Bishop's Deputy for Christian Formation
Resources
Youth, Children, and Families
Holy Work with Children Book Study
You are invited to a Book Study with Children and Family Ministers across the Diocese, studying Holy Work with Children: Making Meaning Together, by Dr. Tanya Campen.

The publisher shares that "Listening to the stories of children helps us to understand how children make meaning out of God's presence and reveals tools that children use as they claim their faith. With this knowledge, adults can then better promote and encourage children's spiritual growth. Offering a theology of childhood, Holy Work with Children values the child's role in the Body of Christ and God's transformative work. "

This Book Study will meet together online for five Thursdays at 10:00 a.m., to discuss the book on the following schedule:

  • October 21: Intros and Chapter 1
  • November 4: Chapters 2 & 3
  • November 18: Q & A with the Author, Dr. Tanya Campen
  • December 2: Chapter 4 & 5
  • December 16: Chapter 6 and Wrap-up

If you would like to join this group, please purchase a copy of the book, available online from the publisher here, and email formation@dwtx.org to let me know you plan to attend! I will send out the Zoom info on Monday, October 18.
Diocesan Christian Formation Webpage
If you haven't yet, check out the Children and Youth Formation page on the diocesan website! This page includes tips, resources, and more. You can find it under the "What We Do" menu tab, at dwtx.org, or click here to check it out.
Worship Bulletins and Curriculums
Are you familiar with Illustrated Ministry? Founded in 2015 this company creates accessible faith-based resources for the church and home including children's worship bulletins, seasonal devotionals for all ages, and curricula. They are not affiliated with a specific denomination but most of their resources follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Click here to learn more, get a free sample, and see the full catalog.
Adults
Diocesan Adult Formation Web Page
The diocesan Adult Christian Formation website includes Diocesan Bible Studies written by the Rev. Drs. John Lewis and Jane Patterson as well as information on the Wisdom Years Ministry. Click here to check it out.
Christian Formation Releases an Advent Isaiah Study
The diocesan Christian Formation Committee has written a five-lesson study exploring the Isaiah passages we read during Advent. These lessons can be used in November or December as an Advent and Christmas Adult Formation study. If your church's adult formation takes a few Sundays off in December, consider starting this study in mid-November in order to use all the lessons. Alternatively, you may want to save the final Christmas lesson for a Sunday study between December 25 and January 6. Click here to access the study guide.
Request for Adult Formation Study Recommendations
Many churches in our Diocese have strong adult formation programs and have found great study resources. I would like to build a curated list of these resources and recommendations to share with churches looking for new studies for adults.

If your church has used a book, video series, discussion guide, etc. that has worked particularly well, please fill out the form below to provide information on the study and submit it for this list.
Featured Events
Office Hours with Suzanna Green
Suzanna will hold virtual "office hours" twice per month through the end of the year. These Office Hours will be an opportunity to be in conversation with the Bishop's Deputy for Christian Formation, to ask questions, learn about Christian formation resources, or just find a supportive sounding board. They are open to all diocesan formation leaders - lay or ordained, paid or volunteer. Click the dates below to sign up for one of the October Office Hours, meeting via Zoom.


Bishop's Youth Commission Confirmation Retreat: March 2022
Save the date for the diocesan Confirmation Retreat, hosted by the Bishop's Youth Commission at Mustang Island Conference Center, March 11 - 13, 2022. This retreat will be open to youth from around the Diocese who are interested in being confirmed. More information to come soon!
Mustang Island Holiday on the Island: November 12-14
Start your holiday celebrations with your family at Mustang Island Conference Center. Join us for campfires, s'mores, an outdoor movie, Christmas cookie decorating, crafts, worship, and more. Holiday on the Island begins Friday afternoon/evening and continues through Sunday lunch. Your family will have opportunities to unplug, relax, and reconnect with each other, faith, community, and God’s glorious creation.
Click here to learn more.
Happening #149: November 19-21
Happening #149 will take place November 19 - 21 at Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi. Happenings are spiritual renewal weekends for older high school students (10th - 12th grade), led by their peers. Registration is $60, and scholarships are available. are spiritual renewal weekends for older high school students, led by their peers. Each Happening begins Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. sharp, and wraps up around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. It is a lock-in, so prepare to stay the entire weekend.
Click here to learn more or to register.
Share / Resources
The Episcopal Church My Way of Love for Small Groups
Responding to a hunger for deeper discipleship among Episcopal congregations, creators of the My Way of Love initiative announce a new spiritual journey guide, video and other materials designed for small groups. More information about the Way of Love movement is available online, at episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love.

Available now, 'My Way of Love for Small Groups' is ideal for vestries, youth groups, confirmation classes, Bible studies, prayer groups, committees, ministry teams, and more. Click here to learn more.
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