Think you are too busy for family meetings? Think again! This short investment of your time will pay dividends you can’t even imagine until you try. A strong sense of connection, in this busy world, is so valuable to families and deserves to take priority in your life. The easy steps are laid out for you and implementation is worth the investment.

• Begin each meeting with prayer and say something positive about each other.

• Meet at a regularly scheduled time. Everyone in the family needs to find a mutually agreed-upon meeting time: first, so they know they are available and second, so they begin to feel a part of these meetings, even in the planning stage.

• Decide on time limits and stick to them. Time limits should generally accommodate the youngest person in the family attending the meeting, and DO NOT GO OVER IT!

• Rotate the positions. Some suggested positions include: Chairperson, Recorder, Dessert Maker, and Game Organizer. (read more)

For the earliest part of my childhood, I grew up in southern California. And in my family there were two foregone conclusions: 1) I would love baseball and 2) I would be a Dodgers fan. Becoming an Angels fan, or any other baseball team for that matter, was not even a question.

Kurt Gibson

My dad was in the best position to show me why it was so great to love the Dodgers. I was fed the stories of years past, like Kurt Gibson’s 9th inning heroics in 1988, and the big move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. My dad would tell me of the beauty of Dodger Stadium and together Vin Scully would lull us into a trance.

I didn’t become a Dodgers fan on my own. It happened because my dad told me those stories over and over again and we would religiously watch the games from Chavez Ravine. He was so immersed in the story of the Dodgers that he couldn’t help but share those stories with me. I don’t believe he had any secret agenda to make me a fan, it just happened naturally because that’s what I heard all the time.

Eventually, those stories became my stories. My favorite player was Eric Karros, Dodger Stadium was my mecca. I became a Dodgers fan.

When I arrived at St. Alban’s to serve as the Assistant Rector, I was charged with oversight of Children’s and Youth Ministry. Like the vast majority of Episcopal churches, the main focus for children’s Christian formation took place on Sunday mornings. For somewhere between 45 minutes and an hour, our children were intentionally exposed and taught the Christian story. But something wasn’t quite clicking.

As I spoke with the youth of the parish, it became clear that they could articulate, at best, a vague form of Christianity. This seemed to corroborate what Kenda Creasy Dean spoke of in her book about youth ministry, “Almost Christian.” Dean says again and again that today’s children and youth are not rebelling against their parents. The issue is quite different: it’s that parents either don’t know the Christian story or do not pass it on to their children.

My thoughts turned back to my dad. I became a Dodgers fan not because some partial stranger once a week told me how great the team was; I became a Dodgers fan because that was the environment I lived in. I don’t think my experience is peculiar. Fathers teach sons how to throw a baseball or catch a pass. Mothers teach daughters how to walk in high heels and paint their fingernails (Please excuse the gendered nature of these comments. I am pointing out the most obvious examples, realizing that these don’t hold true for all families.).

So why shouldn’t the same thing happen for Christian formation? Why shouldn’t parents be as intentional about forming their children in the Christian tradition as they are committed to driving their children to swim practice?

To make a change, I realized it had to begin with the parents. They were the ones who needed to hear again the stories of our Christian faith. Only when they were being intentionally formed by and into the Christian narrative could I ask them to pass it on to their children. And so it began.

I meet with parents, not children, twice a semester to teach them about one piece of the Christian faith. Then the parents pass on what they have learned to their children. Parents, not Sunday School teachers, know their children best. Parents, not Sunday School teachers or priests, spend the most time with their children. Parents, not anybody else, can create a formative Christian environment in the home, in the car, at the kitchen table, or anywhere else.

After having learned about this one piece of the Christian faith for a semester, I ask the children to make offerings of what they have learned. This is where we can tap into each child’s inborn creativity. Rather than molding them into a curriculum, we let them express what they have learned in their own individual and particular ways. We allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives!The results have been astounding.

A few of our offerings

Last semester we studied the creeds. Our children made dioramas of the empty tomb and posters of things God had created. They wrote down what they believed and made a football lineup of two teams, Team Athanasius against Team Arius. How many adults know about Athanasius and Arius? Look how our teenagers understand and have been formed by and into the Nicene Creed!

This method (it’s not just another “program”) needs constant tweaking. But so do our spiritual lives. That’s why prayer and reading the bible are daily tasks.

This method also requires dedication, creativity, and prayer. You can’t just pull out some tired, old curriculum for another year. But that’s how it should be! The disciples didn’t learn how to follow Jesus when they bought some out-of-the-box curriculum that told them exactly how to learn “From ages 1 to 18.” Rather, they lived with Jesus day in and day out in an atmosphere of formation.

Revisit your Sunday School program. Is it necessary? Are you burning out teachers? Are children really growing into the full stature of Christ? Do all of your parents have a strong grasp of the Christian story?

I am not selling a magic talisman. For some churches this may not work and one of the myriad of
curricula may do the trick. Great! But take a lesson from St. Alban’s. At this church, we are committed to helping our parents grow their children into Dodgers fans Christians.

The Rev. Jimmy Abbott has served as the Assistant Rector of St. Alban's, Waco since July 2010.

Chris Seay of Ecclesia Church in Houston set the tone for an invigorating weekend with his plenary. Southwest Seminary Professor Scott Bader-Saye asked us to imagine a third choice when you think there are only two. Episcopal Church Youth Ministries Officer Bronwyn Skov instructed us take care of ourselves spiritually, and Bishop Andy Doyle reminded us why we are unabashedly Episcopalian.

Workshops ranged in topic from the Family Systems Approach to Leadership to The Challenges of Forming Youth and Young Adults. Since more than twenty folks joined us from our Spanish congregations, our final Eucharist incorporated Spanish readings and music.

We granted several scholarships so congregations could afford to bring their entire leadership teams, and Province VII filmed a number of sessions to share with leaders who were unable to join us at beautiful Camp Allen.

Many connections were created and nurtured between youth, family and older adult ministers. I do believe we are beginning to connect the dots of our diocese relationally and a beautiful picture is emerging.

In the end, 143 formation leaders joined us at this gathering, many from outside our Diocese. Don’t you just love answered prayers? Below is the conference narrative viaTwitter. Enjoy!

Feb. 29

@EDOTChristianEd:

At Camp Allen prepping for Forming Disciples Conference March1-3. Registration tipped at 141. Do I hear 142? #formingdisciples

March 1‏
@paxtonjordan

@JeremyC_Bradley I can’t wait to learn how we will be #formingdisciples

‏@JeremyC_Bradley

@paxtonjordan sir. I believe I will see you @CampAllen #calmyourself

‏@Jimmy_Abbott

#formingdisciples conference starting. Great mix of folks from across the diocese of Texas. The bible cuts inward to our hearts, not a sword to chop down others.

‏@paxtonjordan

In our own weakness, people identify with us the most. #formingdisciples

‏@Jimmy_Abbott

Sad that Christians have to be reminded not to be jerks. #formingdisciples

‏@edotyouth

We are connected in our brokenness. @PastorChrisSeay #formingdisciples

‏@Heinsohnr

We are miserable failures apart from God, and we find great joy in that reality. #formingdisciples

‏@paxtonjordan

Who else has mockingbird syndrome? #formingdisciples @PastorChrisSeay

‏

@ahrensjd

Made it just in time to hear Chris Seay talk. #formingdisciples

@Heinsohnr

If we haven't made it known to Youth that they're loved by Christ... They're not coming back later to ask again.#formingdisciples

‏@JeremyC_Bradley

Hanging out with @EDOTChristianEd about to get a manicure @CampAllen#realmengetmanis#formingdisciples

March 2

‏@edotyouth

Spending time with great youth ministers! #formingdisciples

Bronwyn Skov

‏@UncleMJM

I'm looking forward to another great day of #formingdisciples conference. So far it's been one of those, "boy you shoulda been there" events

‏@Heinsohnr

All you can eat bacon... #ilovetheepiscopalchurch #formingdisciples

‏@JeremyC_Bradley

Look at @shtaylor11 and @leapfearlessly about to shoot skeet. @edotyouth is scared. #formingdiscipleshttp://pic.twitter.com/rH2gqvxF

‏@edotyouth

Paul tells us that our churches must be mature and flexible. #formingdisciples

‏@Heinsohnr

Wait... What is this "Episcopal Church Army" and why am I just hearing of it?! #formingdisciples

‏@Heinsohnr

Wait... What is this "Episcopal Church Army" and why am I just hearing of it?! #formingdisciples

‏@paxtonjordan

What makes us interesting? #formingdisciples

We become like what we worship. ~Bader-Saye. #formingdisciples

‏@paxtonjordan

Worship allows us to ascribe worth to God and His creation. #formingdisciples

‏@paxtonjordan

Worship allows us to ascribe worth to God and His creation. #formingdisciples

‏@Heinsohnr

We become like what we worship. #formingdisciples

‏@episcarolina

engaging culture: once we know what jesus looks like through not only worship but worth-ship, we find him more in culture #formingdisciples

‏@paxtonjordan

I don't deserve the grace offered to me. #formingdisciples

‏@rcymmolly

The people around us are the people we need to learn from. -Chris Seay #formingdisciples

‏@EpiscoYouth

Speed consulting @paxtonjordan, with Anthony and @leapfearlessly while in Texas at #formingdisciples

"hey older generation, you made this technology and made us need it... Now adapt to it or get out of the way"#formingdisciples

‏@Heinsohnr

Bishop Doyle preps for his speech #formingdisciples http://pic.twitter.com/zpBhfpxi

‏@Heinsohnr

@TexasBishop Bishop Doyle just quoted Louis CK to open his address. #formingdisciples#ilovetheepiscopalchurch

‏@Heinsohnr

@TexasBishop - "We don't believe in a God who says "well, I'm sorry they are hungry. Guess they should have worked harder" #formingdisciples

‏

‏@JeremyC_Bradley

This is what episcopalians dream of. #formingdisciples http://pic.twitter.com/YLDiNQZ2

‏@mrgassy

Headed to @CampAllen for end of #formingdisciples conf. Looking forward to seeing all the @edotyouth@EDOTChristianEd @TexasDiocese crew!

‏@Heinsohnr

Theological discussions till 430am... I miss that. #formingdisciples

‏@canonnewton

I couldn't be more proud to work with @EDOTChristianEd @edotyouth #formingdisciples was a hit; thanks@TexasBishop for last night's plenary

‏@edotyouth

#formingdisciples is officially over. Time to go back and transform our churches!

Lenten appeal: Help rebuild the Haitian cathedral 

"Ashes to Go" Brings Ash Wednesday into the Community  

Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast 

Lent Madness Widget 

Easter Walk Script 

Children's Lent calendar 

Holy Week Resources  

[see more]  

Contact Jamie Martin-Currie, Missioner for Christian Education for assistant with other Formation resources.

On the Way to Bethlehem
In this new picture book, the illustrations depict Mary and Joseph as real people who were living ordinary lives when God called them to be part of an extraordinary event. The book includes a maze and an Advent calendar with stickers. The cost-efficient pricing of $1.59 makes it the perfect Advent gift for all the children in your church! Cokesbury.com

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Greetings!

This is a note to introduce myself as the new Missioner for Christian Education at the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. After 15 years in children's ministry serving three diverse parishes, I am thrilled to join the Lifelong Christian Formation team of Canon John Newton and Matt Blank.

A sixth generation Texan who was baptized at Palmer Memorial, I attended St. Mark's in Bellaire and was confirmed at Church of the Advent (All Saints in Stafford). I began ministering to children at St. Bartholomew's Church in New York City where I earned a Masters in child development from Bank Street College of Education. After 10 years at St. Bart's directing the child care/singles/youth/family ministries and creating a summer camp, St. Martin's moved me and my husband back to Houston where I served as the Lay Minister for Children's Christian Education for five years (our two teenage sons live in Chicago with their mother). It was at St. Martin's that we created a family worship experience called "Family Table." I then had the privilege of serving St. Andrew's in Pearland as the Parish Administrator and Children's Minister where we built a 30 ft. garden to launch ER-D's Abundant Life Garden Project.

At the Diocese, my responsibilities include overseeing the children's commission, serving as a curricula consultant, maintaining our resource libraries and managing logistics for our annual formation conference October 21-22, 2011 at Camp Allen. I am settling in this week unpacking boxes in the downtown Houston office. Wow, what an awesome place!

Please add my addresses to your mailing list so I may begin to learn about your ministries. I am excited to partner with you in our work to build for the Kingdom of God and look forward to connecting with you all in the near future. Blessings to you and the work that you do, our parishes are lucky to have you!

Faithfully yours

It is my great joy to offer an update on what is happening in the area of Christian formation here at the Diocesan Office.  Today we welcome Jamie Martin-Currie as our new Missioner for Christian Education.  Among other things, Jamie will oversee our resource libraries, serve as a curricula consultant, oversee the children’s commission, connect formation workers at the convocational level, and oversee logistics for our annual formation conference.  Jamie is incredibly passionate, experienced, and gifted.  She is a wonderful addition to our diocesan team.

On Friday July 1, Matt Blank will begin working as our Missioner for Youth and Young Adults.  Matt will oversee all diocesan-wide youth events and will serve as a resource for our many youth workers.  Our goal is for all youth workers to be connected at the convocational level for formation, leadership development and fellowship.  Matt is very gifted and will take youth ministry in our diocese to a whole new level. 

As we welcome Jamie and Matt onto our staff we will also be saying goodbye to Martha Lewis and Laura Henry, both of whom have done a wonderful job of helping us in this time of transition.  Martha’s last day will be Friday, July 1 and Laura’s last day will be Wednesday July 6^th.  I am very grateful for both of them.  We simply could not have made this transition without them and they will be missed. 

If you have any questions please email me.  It is a pleasure to serve alongside all of you. 

Grace and Peace,