in Vestry Papers and filtered by Christian Formation, Clergy Transition, Small Churches + 5 other(s)
By Dustin Seo
How many times has your faith community thought about what it can do to bring and keep young people at church? In Worship as an Invitation to Belong, Dustin Seo describes his journey into the Episcopal Church as an active participant who knows he belongs, the role that music played on that path and how worship is something we all actively create, not something we passively consume.
By Prema Vas
We live in a culture that encourages us to ‘follow your heart’ constantly. But is that good advice? In To Feel or Not to Feel, Prema Vas shares a reflection on how she navigates immense and overwhelming feelings, with help from Jesus.
By Stephen Rumler
How does music impact our worship? In Love in Humble Service, Stephen Rumler describes how the parish where he serves as music director was impacted by the pandemic and why music continues to be “an unavoidable grace that we receive each day.”
By Jesse Zink
In Flight Adjustments in a Changing Church, Jesse Zink describes his vocation in theological education and his work at as principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College, sharing how this challenging, exhausting and yet delightful calling is akin to flying the Millennium Falcon through the world of theological education today.
By Diana Wheeler
In Vocation in an Unsafe World, Diana Wheeler tells us about the Companions of Dorothy the Worker, an ecumenical Christian community that brings radical hospitality to the queer community, modeling Christ’s unfailing and constant love to the most marginalized among us. This article is available in English and Spanish.
By Sean Steele
What are the benefits and challenges of building an online community in a virtual world? Could this be a significant space the Church occupies in the future? In The Ultimate ‘Online’ Church vlog, Sean Steele introduces Web3 Abbey, perhaps the first ever Anglican liturgy inside of the Metaverse.
By Charis Bhagianathan
In this issue, we highlight traditional tools, as well as relationship-building and partnership-focused ideas to consider that will enrich our learning and service to our Church.
By ECFVP Team
The Congregational Vitality Assessment (CVA) tool is designed to provide congregations with an assessment of their Vitality (how healthy they are) and their Sustainability (whether they have the people, financial, and contextual resources necessary to survive). The CVA is made available free to congregations of all denominations and religions by a partnership between The FaithX Project and the Epi...
By Lauren Grubaugh Thomas
What does it look like to be present and open to our God’s calling, even when the world around us continues to be overwhelmingly turbulent? In Here Am I, Lauren Grubaugh Thomas shares a deeply personal reflection on expectant motherhood, hope and joy this Advent season.
By Beth Wyndham
What does it mean to be centered in joy? Are you searching for a way to engage your church leadership in reflection on their joy and gratitude as a community? In her vlog, A Pandemic Church Plant Inspires Joy, Beth Wyndham invites us to consider where the Holy Spirit may be calling our faith communities to seek joy.