'Theological Education for All' offers inserts for Theological Education Sunday
Episcopal News Service. January 14, 2008 [011408-01]
In preparation for Theological Education Sunday (TES) on February 3, a bulletin insert, titled "Celebrating Christian Formation across the Lifespan," has been written and designed by the Rev. Gus Boone, canon for Lifelong Christian Formation and Ministry in the Diocese of Western North Carolina.
The insert is intended for congregational use in celebrating and giving thanks for all laity and clergy who accept the responsibility for teaching in the Episcopal Church -- those responsible for parenting; in local congregational, diocesan, and national church formation ministries; in Episcopal-sponsored childcare centers and preschool programs, Episcopal schools, seminaries, colleges, and universities; and those who teach and guide in Episcopal retirement and care centers.
"Any congregation's vitality is tied to how fully it becomes a learning community," said the Rev. Lynne A. Grifo, producer of TEforALL and associate coordinator of the Episcopal Church's Office for Ministry Development. "People are hungry for challenging and inspiring ways to learn more about the Bible, religion and science, spiritual practices and the like."
After the 2006 General Convention, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was asked to continue supporting TES. "I encourage you to remember that education is the right and responsibility of all the baptized, in a process that continues for as long as we have breath," she wrote to the Church. "I would ask you as well to charge your vestry or local governing body to remember and observe Resolution A125 from the 1982 General Convention to provide 1 percent of your parish's net disposable income to one or more of the 11 accredited Episcopal seminaries. Our seminaries are expanding their mission to provide lifelong education for all the ministers of this Church and they need and deserve your support now more than ever."
"TES is a reminder at the beginning of the Epiphany season that, like the Magi, we are called to journey to seek Christ and one excellent way is by exploring faith through education," said Grifo.
Further information and resources are available here.