Christian Formation
Welcome to the Department of Christian Formation
Our mission is: to provide support and training for Christian Education Directors, clergy and Church School teachers in the areas of children, youth and adult ministries
The Department of Christian Formation is made up of twelve 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.
Past events sponsored by the Department of Christian Formation include All Under One Roof,a teacher training event, Godly Play training, and several Christian Formation Tracks at the PLTE (Parish Leadership Training Event)
This 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 by contacting Sarah Sartain. If you have any needs or suggestions regarding programs or ideas please feel free to contact a member. We would be happy to send a representative to your parish or help you find the resources you need.
The Department has developed a Christian Formation Scope and Sequence that will assit educators in selecting appropriate curricula for specific age groups. This Scope and Sequence will also allow you to review your current curriculua and determine what areas, if any, need further reinforcement. Manuals will be sent to each parish and a DVD is also available. Click here to download the document.
A specific design team spent 18 months developing a curriculum for youth and adult confirmation. Each parish was given a copy of both documents at the 2005 Diocesan Convention. You are welcome to download a copy of each here. For the youth confirmation curriculum click here. For the Adult Anglican Essentials click here.
Resources You Can Use
Bibles - Selecting a Bible
Choosing a Children's Bible by Gretchen Pritchard
Zondervan Bible Translations
Children
Curriculum
Lectionary Based- Lesson plans based on the liturgical readings of the day is the focus for the lesson (Old Testament, Psalm, Epistle, or Gospel reading)
Lesson Plans for Small Churches - These lessons can be taken directly off-line. Newly revised in 2003, all the Sundays for Years A, B, and C are now available, following the Episcopal lectionary. there are specific lesson plans for young children, older children, and adults that include ways to tell the Gospel story, activities and questions for discussion.
Living the Good News - Is an Episcopal lectionary based curriculum originally developed in the Diocese of Colorado, published by semester for all ages preschool-adult. Other resources include Children's Chapel, and music on cassettes.
Seasons of the Spirit - Is an ecumenical curriculum as a congregational resource for the Christian nurture of all ages, integrating worship and education (ages 3 years - adult) to include the arts, music and social justice.
Life Together - is a Lutheran curriculum based on the idea that connecting a person's life to the Word and then linking back to daily life builds a strong faith. It follows a life to Bilble to life model, following the Revised Common Lectionary.
The Sunday Paper by Gretchen Wolff Pritchard is a cartoon drawing of the Sunday readings based on the lectionary; 1 page original with permission to duplicate enough for your congregational need. Also, The Sunday Paper Junior for younger children can be used as a worship bulletin or curriculum tool. sundaypaper@snet.net
Montessori Approach - A visual, auditory and kinesthetic approach in which children engage story and ritual through personal interaction that is self-directed.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a method of fostering a child's spirituality through respect for the child's awe and wonder following a Montessori approach. Developed by Sofia Cacalletti, it is a biblical and sacramental way of religious formation as children experience the mystery of God.
Center for Children and Theology - While this is not a curriculum method, it is a website for those who work with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Godly Play is an approach to Christian formation involving language: parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - to help children integrate and interpret scripture with God in daily life. Developed by an Episcopalian, The Rev. Dr. Jerome W. Berryman.
Young Children and Worship was developed by Sonja Stewart (with Jerome Berryman) following the Reformed Church trationa, with a less sacramental focus. Books are all inclusive with stories, worship center format and patterns for storytelling materials.
The Way of the Child focuses on the spiritual formation of children. It is a part of the Companions in Christ series an dhelps children learn and experience spiritual practices that will leead them into a deeper awareness of God's presence in their lives. Each session is designed for a 60-90 minute time frame with children ages 6 - 11. There are enough sessions to use from September through May.
Rotation Style is a model based on the theory of multiple intelligences and experiential learning. It involves designing learning space in creative ways for thematic learning: storytelling room, computers, games, puppets, crafts, and games. Children move from week to week to different areas (rotations) while teachers remain with the same method of sharing for the theme.
Cornerstone Publishing is a multiple intelligence approach to Christian Education, providing services for the Workshop Rotation Model in the areas of curriculum, support resources and idea exchanges.
Firelight has been developed through ELCA following Howard Gardiner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Potter's Workshop are units, including some free downloadable lessons to be used in the Workshop Rotation Model.
Power XPress is designed for children in kindergarten through 6th grade. This curriculum provides complete lesson plans, scripts, and activities, as well as ideas for 8 station setups, and a complete listing of resources needed.
Workshop Cycles is a membership program in the workshop rotation style model from an Episcopal ethos as originally developed at All Saints in Atlanta, GA.
Come Join the Circle welcomes learners and leaders into the heart of the Bible’s great stories. These rotation-style learning materials help create the kind of learning environment where the Bible is at the center and fune and creativity abound.
Scope and Sequence Based follows a model of a thematic approach with units. Lessons are often dependent on building upon the previous week, although they can be used independently.
All Things New (Living the Good News/Morehouse Publishing) is a two-year Episcopal curriculum for children in Preschool - 6th grade. Each age level studies the same Biblical story each week through a variety of activities, with Old Testament stories in the Fall term and New Testament stories during the Winter and Spring. Episcopal prayers and traditions are also suggested through references in the Book of Common Prayer and Lesser Feasts and Fasts.
Bible Quest (United Church Press) is a four-year quarterly curriculum developed by 10 Protestand denominations. It explores the same bible stories across all age levels each week.
Episcopal Children's Curriculum (Morehouse Publishing) was developed at Virginia Theological Seminary's Center for the Ministry of Teaching with a foundation in the Baptismal Covenant. Published in a 3-year cycle, with a year focusing on Baptism, Eucharist or Worship.
Exploring Faith (Cokesbury) is a United Methodist four-year quarterly scope and sequence curriculum that is broadly graded for toddlers - preteen. It is focused on experiencing God through Jesus Christ.
Faith Weaver (Group Publishing) is a non-denominational quarterly curriculum for ages up to 6th grade that is bible-based, mostly focused on the Gospel. It involves concentrating on developing bible reading skills and memory of verses.
Hands-on Bible Curriculum is published quarterly by non-denominational Group Publishing. It describes itself as active learning with games and discussion while exploring God's World for ages Toddlers - Grade 6.
Mustard Seed Series (chronologically sequenced) is published independently and is non-denominational. It is centered on the Bible with 340 texts covered in 10 years.
One Room Sunday School (Abingdon) is a Methodist curriculum developed for small churches where many ages are combined in one class. Quarterly packaged material makes teacher planning very easy.
Seedlings Curriculum is Episcopal, broadly graded for preschool - Grade 6 and intended for the small church. Published in a 4-year cycle, it gives an introduction to all the major Bible stories and events with a variety of activities with little or no expense. Also includes confirmation, adult inquirer's classes and first communion curricula.
Modules/Thematic Based
Bible Zone Live! includes "Funspirational Kits" of storytelling props and music following 12 themes on three levels (Bible Zones).
My Episcopal Faith gives basics in the history, beliefs, structure and lore of the Episcopal Church in a series of seven booklets with teachers guide, to be used along or with Share the Joy.
Share the Joy is Roman Catholic in scopy with an additional Episcopal component (My Episcopal Faith). It is biblically based, emphasizing the stories of Christ in twenty-seven lessons in a graded program following the seasons of the church year. Kindergarten through 6th grade.
Death
The Dougy Center
Development
NAEYC
Divorce
Helping Kids Deal with Divorce
Grief
The Dougy Center
The Grief of Children
Terrorism
Adult - Curriculum
Education for Ministry (EFM)
Disciples of Christ in Communiy (DOCC)
Companions in Christ
In Dialogue with Scripture
Just Faith
Living the Good News
Kerygma
Genesis to Revelation
Seasons of the Spirit
LeaderResources
The Great Courses
Logos
Adult Curriculum Options Overview Curriculum review
THEME LESSONS
10 Commandments
Do We Still Need the Ten Commandments? by John H. Timmerman (Augsburg)
The Ten Commandments: Laws of the Heart? by Joan Chittister
God's Top 10: Blowing the Lid Off the Commandments by Anne Robertson (Church Publishing)
These resources are available at the Diocesan Office:
Death by Suburb - book and study guide. http://www.deathbysuburb.net/
This is highly recommended if your parish is made up of mostly suburban families.
Newcomer Collection - by Episcopal Media Center 2 volume DVDs on the basics of the Episcopal Church. A great resource for Confirmation. www.episcopalmedia.org
The First to Follow by John Claypool - easy read on the 12 disciples.
Those Episkopals by the Rev. Dennis Maynard - a 70 page book that is a must to have for all in confirmation. www.episkopals.com
Via Media - Values: Ethics in Action - a 6-week DVD set that can be used on Sunday morning.
Reltless Hearts - a 6 week DVD series for young adults by Abingdon press.
Science and Religion - DVD by The Great Course.
Mary Magdalen: Saint or Sinner? by Joan Baldridge - DVD (She is available for speaking engagements.)
Kerygma - There is a wide variety of this resource available.
Jr. and Sr. High Materials
Bible Study
African Bible Study Method
Complete Youth Ministry Program
Journey to Adulthood
Comprehensive Book
My Faith, My Life
Ecumenical Bible Study
Synago Bible Study
Lectionary Based
Living the Good News
Seasons of the Spirit
Modular Format
Attitude
Episcopal Youth Curriculum
Faith in Motion
Multi-Media Topic Based or Lectionary
Making It Real and Relevant
OTHER
My Faith My Life - Website for Episcopal teens
Seedlings
CURRICULUM - GENERAL INFORMATION
Institute for Christian Formation and Leadership
Clip Art
Timo's Clipart
Christian Clipart
HermanoLeon Clipart
Catholic Faith Clipart
Kerr Resources (A - H)
Kerr Resources (I - P)
Kerr Resources (Q - Z)
Coloring, Crafts and Activity Sheets
A to Z Teacher Crafts
Activity Idea Place
Bible Activity Worksheets
Bible Coloring Book
Calvary Chapel Children
Children's Bible Coloring Pages
Christian Bible Coloring Pages
Coloring Book Fun
EclipseCrossword Puzzles
Making Friends Bible Crafts
MSSS Craft and Bible Resources
PapaJan Coloring Pages
Resources for Catholics Coloring Pages
Resources for Christian Teachers
Sermons 4 Kids Spanish coloring sheets also available
Teacher Place
Episcopal
Called to Teach and Learn
Candle Press
Children's Charter
Family Resources
Taking Faith Home Sunday bulletin from Youth and Family Institute
Lesson Helps
Cornerstones Rotation Curriculum
Diocese of Connecticut
Diocese of Texas
End Poverty 2015
Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation
Global Good
UNICEF
World Bank
Miscellaneous
Barnabas
Children at Worship - Congregations in Bloom
Music
Children's
Children's Music and Songs
KiDiddles
Family Services
Sing with Love and Song With Joy
We Sing of God: A Hymnal for Children
My Heart Sings Out
Music By Heart
Singing Our Faith "A Hymnal for Young Catholics"
Organizations
National Association of Episcopal Christian Education Directors
(NAECED)
Network of Biblical Storytellers (NOBS)
Parish Resources and Data
Episcopal Books and Resources (EBaR)
Search Institute
Alban Institute
Barna Group
Other Dioceses' and Institution Links
Church Development Institute, Diocese of Newark
Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP)
Diocese of Atlanta, GA Linda Scott
Diocese of Connecticut
Diocese of Texas
Diocese of Western North Carolina The Rev. Cannon Gus Boone
Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest
(ETSS) Certificate Program for Youth/Children's CF
Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS)
Yale Center for Faith and Culture
Youth and Family Institute
Sacraments
Coming Soon
Safeguarding God's Children
Safeguarding God's Children
Seasonal
Channing Bete
Advent/Christmas
Advent Resources
Christmas Plays and Prayers
Stations of the Nativity, Meditations on the Incarnation of Christ by Raymond Chapman
Waiting for Wonder by Katerina Whitley
Lent/Easter
Praying the Stations with Children from the Twenty-Third Publications
Palm Sunday section of Gretchen Wolff Pritchard's book Risen with Christ
Walking the Way of Sorrows by Katherina Whitley
Stations of the Cross for children and families
The Story of the Cross: The Stations of the Cross for Children, by Mary Joslin, Loyola Press
Special Events
Pet Blessings
Special Needs
Key Ministry Foundation
Exceptional Teaching by Jim Pierson
Autism and Your Church: Nurturing the Spiritual Growth of People with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Barbara Newman (Faith Alve Christian Resources)
Autism and Faith: A Journey into Cummunity
Spiritual Gifts
Led to Lead ELCA
VBS Resources
Danielle's Place Crafts and Activities
Ideas for VBS
Ministries for Young People
Under Construction - Habitat for Humanity
Positions Available
Coming Soon
2007-2008 Department Members:
Chair: The Rev. Dr. Margaret Scalise 205 758-4252
Staff: Sarah Sartain 205-715-2060 x314
Mary Coral Murphree 256- 534-3234
Kathy Graham 205 967-8786
The Rev. Rusty McCown 205 933-1140
The Rev. Lynette Lanphere 205 699-2404
Nita Caldwell 205 758-4252
Mac Hall 334 273-9318
The Rev. Michael Rich 256 435-9271
Michael Goldsmith 205 387-1806
The Rev. Steve Mosher 256 533-2455
Sabrina Evans 334 262-1937
