Adult Faith Formation
Adult Ministry
“Gather, Share, and Build” with Spirit Chats
Have you ever experienced a “God-incident” in your life and wanted to share it but weren’t sure where or with whom? Perhaps this has so spilled over into your daily life, you want to talk about it with others, but find it difficult at coffee hour.
If you feel God has been moving in your life, and you want to hear from others how God is moving in theirs, the Evangelism Task Force—a joint project of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine and Episcopal Church in New Hampshire—has a new opportunity and an invitation for you to share your story during Spirit Chats.
Several groups have met and more sessions are being scheduled in 2024! Email the Rev. Alanna Van Antwerpen to join this exciting movement with “Spirit Chats” in the subject line.
Summer Finale 2024
Come to Summer Finale this September 13-15! This is the Episcopal Diocese of Maine’s annual celebration at Camp Bishopswood in Hope, Maine on Lake Megunticook.
All are welcome … we really mean it! Although Camp Bishopswood serves our youth during its regular season, Summer Finale is a time when everyone joins the fun! That means households or individuals, that means friends and family, and that means YOU, whoever you are!
From check in at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 13 and an optional dinner on Friday night to a farewell breakfast on the morning of Sunday, September 15, you are invited to spend the weekend with us. There is a day-only option on Saturday, September 14 which includes lunch. View our Summer Finale FAQ guide here.
Register for Summer Finale here, including the one-day option and the overnight options.
And back this year after a several-year hiatus, we will open Bishopswood for the entire day on Friday, September 13 for a mini formation retreat especially for folks who do formation work in our diocese. As in years past, this will be an opportunity to spend a day in conversation with formation folks, to eat yummy food and imagine ways in which we can collaborate and uplift one another in our formation work.
Register for the Formation Mini-Retreat on September 13th from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. here.
Educational Opportunities
Small-group Curriculum for those Interested in Climate Justice
“Love God; Love God’s World” is a nine-session, film-based curriculum designed for Episcopalians anywhere on the journey with creation care and environmental ministry—from newcomers looking to take their first step to seasoned leaders seeking a transformative small-group experience.
Sessions have a similar structure to the popular Sacred Ground curriculum and include films and readings, faith-based reflections, and discussion questions—each written by a different contributor and drawing from personal contexts and experiences. Participants will discover ways to learn, pray, advocate, and conserve.
Find session titles, authors, and a sample session online; register your small group to get access to the full curriculum.
A Case for Love Film
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine and Episcopal Church in New Hampshire rented a theatre in Newington, NH that seats 50 people for this one-day screening event in January 2024. The event was free for youth and adult youth volunteers who also met for a reception following the film to eat pizza and debrief at St. John in Portsmouth.
The film will be available for streaming online on Oct. 1, 2024! “A Case for Love” is a documentary, inspired by the teachings and writings of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. It examines the question of whether or not love, specifically unselfish love, is the solution to the extreme societal and political divisions and the current rending of our social contract.
Well-timed for this election season, “A Case for Love” also features individual stories on the importance of acting out of love for one another instead of indifference, hate, and ignorance. Learn more about the film—and its accompanying free materials for Christian formation classes—by visiting www.acaseforlovemovie.com.
Forma 2025 ~ Come Away Together
This year the Province I Faith Formation Network is combining its annual formation conference with Forma to offer the best of both worlds! We will gather with colleagues from across New England onsite at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center for four days, during which time we will take mornings to meet and connect with our provincial colleagues and afternoons to participate in the Forma workshops and content. We will regather in the evenings to informally share inspiration and learning. There will be ample time for rest and individual needs even as we spend time together learning about the big ideas emerging in the formation space, and what we are called to do about them!
We have secured several grants to make this conference affordable and accessible to anyone who wants to lean into formation conversations.
Registration is not yet open, but please save the dates and email Emily Keniston.
All-Ages Fellowship & Worship
Families, individuals, and households from across the Episcopal Diocese of Maine were invited to celebrate the end of summer together for a weekend at Camp Bishopswood. There was free diocese-wide programming during the day on Saturday with optional camping. In 2024, we gathered on September 14 & 15. Look for information about this chance to meet Episcopalians from around the diocese and to be with God in an intergenerational community in 2025!
An Advent of Wonder
Families were invited to share in the quiet wonder of the Advent season with Godly Play in a gentle series whre caregivers and children gathered for 1, 2 or all 3 weekly ‘circles’ to share in the story of Advent. In 2023, this event was a time for families/households to talk about the deep meaning of Christmas so that it’s meaningful for years to come.
All sessions were on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. in a variety of locations:
- on Zoom
- at a church
- at a private home
Watch for more opportunities like this in 2024.
Start Your Own Discernment
Discernment is for every one of us walking on the Way of Love, doing our best to figure out where God is calling us next. It is not just for those who wish to become deacons or priests. Discernment is listening for the voice of God in our big crossroads moments, as well as in our everyday decisions. Discernment is exploring our God-given gifts – even those that aren’t specifically “churchy.”
Have questions? Start a conversation and make an appointment with your priest or deacon to share your questions and thoughts.
Explore Pathways: life-long learning opportunities for ALL the baptized
As part of Bexley Seabury’s seminary-beyond-walls philosophy, they’ve launched Pathways to educate, form, and catalyze the Body of Christ to blaze new pathways for prophetic and pastoral service in response to God’s call. While there is a logic and sequence to the courses and programs available, all of the courses, workshops, events, and activities are designed so you can choose the combination and order that best suit your interests and needs.
Education for Ministry (EfM): What’s Your Ministry?
Relationship with God is found through relationships with his people on earth; play your part and find meaning in life by discovering God’s purpose for the world.
Since 1975 and for over 30 years in the Diocese of Maine, EfM has offered an opportunity to discover how to respond to our call to Christian service. Graduates come to understand that serving God happens everywhere – not just in a worship setting. In coming to terms with the notion that everything we do has potential for manifesting the love of Christ, we discover that our ministry is within reach wherever we are.
Discover Christ. Discover Yourself. Discover Your Ministry.
Join a small group of fellow discerners.
The Wayfinders discernment ministry is based here in Maine, created and led by Commission on Ministry member Darreby Ambler. On a Wayfinders team, a small group of four to six people come together on a retreat to listen to where God might be calling each of them next. From that discernment, each chooses a goal to bring to life. Then for eight meetings afterward the teammates support each other and hold each other accountable as they take their first steps toward where God is calling them. Wayfinders teams build tremendous fellowship – and are just a lot of fun! Questions? Drop a note to Darreby Ambler.
Retreat Opportunities
Go on a nine-month retreat during your everyday life.
Based in Kennebunk, Maine, Manresa Way – an Ignatian Spirituality Ministry leads retreatants through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Retreatants develop a closer, more personal relationship with Jesus, as well as an opportunity to discern God’s call. The spiritual exercises are offered as a retreat in the world: retreatants experience daily prayer using scripture as a guide, as well as meet once a week for 30 weeks from October to May. (Those weekly sessions include private time with your prayer guide.)
Contact the Reverend Gail Chandler for more information.
Companions of Holy Cross Adelynrood
Adelynrood is a retreat center in Byfield Mass (a few miles over the NH line) owned and operated by The Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. They offer women and men an opportunity to visit and to discover new resources for spiritual development through conferences and workshops, as well as individual or group retreats, and quiet days. Adelynrood also has private rooms available mid-May through September for individuals who would like to spend unstructured time in a community of prayer and hospitality.
The Alcyon Center on Mount Desert Island
The Alcyon Center is a non-denominational center for “cultivating contemplative action for the sake of the world.” Their offerings include:
• Personal Retreats
• Courses and Retreats in spiritual practice
• Contemplative Spiritual Direction Training
• Spring and Fall Volunteer Work Weeks
• Weekly Bible Reflection
• Monthly Quiet Day and Soul Friends
Adult Ministry Resources
Download a copy of the discernment resources above as a pdf here.
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‘A Case for Love’ to be released Oct. 1, 2024 on streaming platforms
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Prayers of the People for Indigenous Peoples Day
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Traveling the Way of Love: Season 2 Coming Soon
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Retreat in Everyday Life: Ignatian Spritual Exercises
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Building Intentional Small Groups
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Spirit Chats in Maine and New Hampshire