Dear folks in Maine committed to the work of formation,
Happy New Year and joyful Christmastide greetings to all of you. I’m writing to be sure you know about some upcoming formation events and opportunities, and I hope you will share this information widely! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about any of these events.
1. Last chance to register for the combined Forma/Province I Formation Conference “Come Away Together” at Barbara C Harris Camp and Conference Center Jan. 27-30! Registration ends January 4! This will be an opportunity for rest and connection with colleagues, to share in learning through streamed Forma workshops each afternoon, and to have real conversation about what’s working in formation today. This invitation is open to anyone interested in formation, ie parents/grandparents, youth group or Sunday school leaders, parish clergy, diocesan staff and whomever else would like to participate! Register here.
2. Registration is open for Have Your Say 2025, to be held at Barbara C Harris Camp and Conference Center February 7-9th. This forum-style retreat is open to middle and high school students from Maine and New Hampshire. This year we will explore the theme “Who Do You Say That I Am?” through art, conversation, and connection. It will be lots of fun! This event is “pay as you’re able,” which means households will choose if and how much they can contribute to making the event possible. Carpooling is available. Register here.
3. Monthly diocesan formation conversation Zooms continue; please consider joining us for these drop-in chats for collaboration, connection and inspiration! Held the third Thursday of each month from 10-11 AM, always at this Zoom link.
4. A confirmation retreat at Barbara C Harris Camp and Conference Center from March 21-23. This is a retreat being organized by the program director at BCCH, but if Maine folks are interested we can organize a group to attend. Complete an interest form FMI here.
5. Monthly Godly Play practitioner conversations continue. The dates and times change to meet the needs of the group, so email Godly Play trainer Sally Thomas for more information about being connected.
6. Be on the lookout for information about a Province-wide Acolyte Festival in March! This will be a one-day opportunity for youth from around Province I to gather in Needham, MA to celebrate the unique ministry of acolytes and to have some fun together. We will enjoy an “acolyte olympics” challenge, share pizza, and participants will leave with an editable customary to share with their home churches.
7. Diocesan Youth lead Pride Ministry! June is Pride Month, and for three years our youth have led us in sharing God’s love for and with all people through marching in parades across the diocese. The planning team will meet on Zoom 4/22, 5/6 and 5/20 from 6-7 PM to learn how to organize a community event, the history of LGBTQ+ ministries in The Episcopal Church and how advocacy for LGBTQ+ people is rooted in our faith.
8. Registration for Camp Bishopswood is open! Be sure to check out our wonderful diocesan camp and encourage others to do the same!
9. Youth pilgrimage to the Citizen’s Climate Lobby in Washington, D.C. July 19-22, 2025. Our youth have asked for opportunities to participate in advocacy from a faith-based perspective, so we will join youth from around the country this summer to learn about climate advocacy, visit Capitol Hill, and connect our baptismal covenants to justice work in the world.
9. Save the Date for Summer Finale, 2025: September 26-28 at beautiful Camp Bishopswood in Hope, Maine. This annual weekend is a chance for households and/or individuals to come enjoy the beauty of camp during the Season of Creation. We spend time playing, praying and building community.
10. Youth involvement at Diocesan Convention, October 2025: please be in touch if you have youth who would like to participate or learn more about how and why Diocesan Convention works to support the ministry of the Church.
11. The Welcoming Library can visit your church this year! Sign-ups are ongoing for churches to host the traveling Welcoming Library for a month at a time. Learn more here.
For more information about any of these events, please reach out!
Emily Keniston
Director of Faith Formation
Episcopal Diocese of Maine