Formation 2020-2021

Formation for Families and Friends

Due to rising COVID19 cases in the community, Grace Church has decided to suspend all in-person gatherings for the time being. Read the December 13 announcement from Fr. Stuart at this link.

Advent At Home

We are glad to offer this resource for Advent at Home this year: An Illustrated Advent for Families: Do Not Be Afraid. This resource explores the angels’ message in the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid!” This phrase is an instruction God gave to God’s people throughout their history, and it’s a message God continues to give to us today.

This Advent, we invite you to explore what it looks like to hold hope when life feels really uncertain, to bring peace in the face of fear, to practice joy when everything seems burdensome, and to choose love, when sometimes, it’s just really hard. You’ll be invited to wonder more deeply about this classic story, to imagine some of the details that aren’t filled in for us, and to make connections to your own context this season. We hope this Advent devotional will help you share in conversation about fear and how God invites us to not be afraid.

The devotions are written for children and adults of all ages and include scripture, reflection, coloring pages and possible activities to explore. Please email Cheryl Kelley to get your copy today!

Children’s Chapel

Each week Ms. Cheryl shares stories related to the weekly Bible readings, and prayers from Children’s Chapel. The link to the video recording, as well as other Faith@Home resources are emailed each week. Email Director of Christian Formation Cheryl Kelley to be added to the list!

• Morning Watch Kids is live streamed each morning at 8:00 AM on Facebook or YouTube. It’s a short video that families can watch and say ‘good morning’ to God. It features fun songs, scripture, and stories offered by two brothers who are pastors in Greensboro, NC. Check it out!
• Tucked in: Bedtime Stories and prayers by Episcopalians and Others is a Facebook series of children’s stories read each day that follow the themes of the lectionary.
• Faith@Home is a weekly devotional focusing on the lectionary readings for each Sunday. There are reflections and discussion prompts for Adults, Adults and youth, and Adults and Small Children. It’s published by FORMA, the Network for Christian Formation for the Episcopal Church and beyond, which is a ministry of ECF.
• Taking Faith Home is a resource that can be used for daily devotions, which also follows the lectionary cycle. It has daily readings, suggested songs, suggested reflection questions designed to prompt caring conversations, prayers and more. Published by Milestone Ministries.

Please email Cheryl Kelley if you are interested in receiving Faith@Home and/or Taking Faith Home resources.