Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices

March 2021

Formation for the Missionary Church

A New Gathering for Asian Pacific American Spirituality
By Yein Kim
The Gathering, a ministry of The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, is a space for Asian Pacific American spirituality. In A New Gathering for Asian Pacific American Spirituality, the Rev. Yein Kim describes the ministry and how they were able to pivot during the pandemic, expanding their community online and their pool of resources, lifting up voices and serving those in this underrepresented yet vibrant community.
A Two-In-One Ministry Grows In Houston
By Uriel Lopez
In a changing world, the Missionary Church needs leadership and trust. The Rev. Uriel Lopez describes in A Two-in-One Ministry Grows in Houston how forming San Romeo at St. Christopher’s showed him that the leadership of the Spirit of Christ must be present in planting a new Christian congregation.
Bible & Brew
By Landon Moore
Can craft brew bring people together over the Bible? Absolutely! In Bible & Brew, the Rev. Landon Moore shares the impact of his podcast Bible & Brew as he and a colleague reach churched and unchurched alike through this growing media platform.
Breathe On Me, Breath of Life
By Mary Vano
What can we do to raise our children to have an understanding and respect for other faith traditions? When the Rev. Mary Vano came to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, it was clear that there was energy around formation for children – just not the usual Vacation Bible School way. In Breathe on Me, Breath of Life, she shares how Friendship Camp came about – an interfaith summer day camp for children in partnership with the Interfaith Center of the Institute for Theological Studies at St. Margaret’s, whose mission is to reduce fear and hatred among the world’s religions.
Ceñirme mis lomos
By Westina Matthews
Corría el año 2019 – mucho antes de la pandemia, el malestar racial y las elecciones presidenciales – cuando pensé en reunir a las cinco mujeres negras que en ese entonces eran obispas de la Iglesia Episcopal para una serie de conversaciones que finalmente se publicarían en un libro.
Digital Ministry Is Here to Stay
By Callie Swanlund and Jeremy Tackett
How do we understand digital ministry, especially in a pandemic? In Digital Ministry Is Here to Stay, the Rev. Callie Swanland and Jeremy Tackett join in conversation to explain how they’ve been telling their stories in the digital realm, what they’ve learned and share their hopes about how this type of ministry has endless creative possibilities as we imagine new ways of exploring evangelism, formation and discipleship in a post-pandemic church.
Editor's Letter April 2021
By Charis Bhagianathan
Especially in recent years, female clergy leaders from around the church have added incredible depth and experience to each event and Gathering. My colleague Haley Bankey, who also serves as Executive Director for GOL, has helped curate this list of articles and vlogs from some of the women leaders of GOL.
Editor's Letter March 2021
By Haley Bankey
This year GOL is focusing on the theme of “Formation for the Missionary Church in a Changing World,” and through the following articles we hope to inspire you and your community to see where God might be calling you to new and innovative ways to share the love of Christ and form disciples in the world.
Faith Formation at Home
By Allison Sandlin Liles
While the pandemic has been challenging for almost everyone, one group in particular has had an especially difficult time: parents of young children. In Faith Formation at Home, the Rev. Allison Sandlin Liles describes her struggle around providing Christian formation for her children during this time of isolation, and the guidance and support she able to receive from GrowChristians.org, an online space for Episcopal adults eager to be more intentional about faith formation at home.
Formation Through Community
By Emily Mellott
The question of formation is core to the mission of the church. The word summarizes the process of making disciples. In Formation Through Community, GOL Board Member Rev. Emily Mellott shares why this topic is relevant for all our congregational leaders in this time, and how relationships are such a vital piece of the work.
Gird Up My Loins
By Westina Matthews
Westina Matthews has had the privilege of interviewing and learning from five Black women who have been consecrated as bishops in the Episcopal Church. In Gird Up My Loins, she shares a snapshot of her conversations and an insight into this powerful and important band of sisterhood.
New Wine in an Old Wineskin
By Anna Sutterisch
The Rev. Canon Anna Sutterisch vlogs about the concepts of #MakeChurchHipAgain and #NotYourGrandmasChurch through the lens of seculocity in New Wine in an Old Wineskin. How are we following the Holy Spirit as she moves and changes us and our institution?
The Church Goes to Virtual Burning Man
By Brian Baker
In the most ‘outside the church walls’ ministry I could find, the Rev. Brian Baker takes Christianity, fellowship and the love and understanding of Jesus Christ to the world of virtual reality at last year’s Burning Man Festival. In The Church Goes to Virtual Burning Man, he assures us that Jesus moves among us, even in cyberspace.
The Power of Gathering
By Haley Bankey
The ethos by which GOL was designed is a prime example of how a learning community can embrace formation in the missionary church. In The Power of Gathering, Haley Bankey shares GOL’s strategies and methods for anyone hoping to form or enhance their own learning communities.
Thrive in the Hive
By Hillary Raining
Mental health, wellness and spirituality have become critically important during this time of isolation, grief and fear. In Thrive in The Hive, the Rev. Hillary Raining shares examples of work they’re doing at The Hive - an online spirituality and wellness community, formed to bring ancient Christian practices of faith to those who looking to grow and learn.
Un ministerio dos en uno crece en Houston
By Uriel Lopez
En un mundo cambiante, la Iglesia Misionera necesita liderazgo y confianza.