Fearless Formation 2018

Fearless Formation is taking place as a part of Leadership Academy at St. Bartholomew’s, Poway.

Who Should Attend?

Anyone involved in planning, developing or coordinating faith formation offerings at their churches (including forums, Sunday school, small groups, etc.) is welcome to attend this track of workshops and explore 21^st century approaches to spiritual education and growth for all ages.

Guest speaker, Charlotte Greeson of Building Faith fame, will be with us to help kick things off. We hope this will become an annual event for formation folks to come together and share new initiatives. We also hope to start a children, youth and families collective, similar to the Youth Collaborative.

Agenda

Workshops

1. One Size Does Not Fit All: Tailoring Adult Formation for the Many Seasons of Life – Charlotte Greeson.
   We’re pretty clear that a kindergartner has different faith development needs than a 5th grader or a teenager. Not only are the differences in academic learning, there are differences in faith development and physical development, not to mention the context of daily living is different for each. Likewise, no one would expect a young adult just entering the workforce to have the same spiritual or relationship needs as a person who is retiring or one who is in an assisted care facility. And yet, we continue to lump all people older than college into the category “adult education.” In this workshop we’ll talk about generational differences and how ages and stages of adulthood require different approaches to Christian education. I’ll share with you some recent research on adult Christian formation. Then we’ll share what’s working in our own communities and what’s not, and what our hopes are for the future of adult faith formation.
2. Faith Formation in a Multicultural Context – Laurel Mathewson
   We all know and proclaim that “in Christ there is no East and West,” but living into this kingdom of God dream means figuring out how to learn and practice the life of Christ together, in the midst of our real (God-given!) diversity. It isn’t always easy, and we will be often humbled, but there are also unexpected graces along this path. This workshop will address practical challenges and opportunities alongside theological ones.
3. Reimagining Formation in Small Groups: A Young Adult Case Study – David Tremaine and Laurel Mathewson
   What do small groups have to do with formation? How can you foster young adults in your congregation through a formational small group? Come to this workshop to find out about a real, live case study from St. Luke’s in 2017.
4. Online Faith Formation for the 21st Century – David Tremaine
   As we move further and further away from the Church of the 1960s and into the Church of the twenty-first century, we are continuously called to reimagine faith formation and Christian education in order to meet people where they are. What are the changes we need to make based on the new landscape of our wider and culture and our church communities?  How do we respond and adapt to the Church’s role in the twenty-first century, and to the evolving needs of people in all ages and stages of life?  In this workshop David Tremaine, director of faith formation at St. Paul’s Cathedral, will focus on where we have come from, where we are, and where we are being called to go in our approach to faith formation in our twenty-first century church communities.
5. Sharing the GOOD: How, Why and What to share with your youth on Social Media – Charlette Preslar
   Owning and using a smart phone to connect to the world around you is an expected part of life. Yet the messages we see there can often be confusing, misleading and just plain hard. In this conversation you will begin the process of crafting a social media plan that spreads the light and empowers youth to do the same. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Childcare will be available, but we need to know in advance. Please register your children using the link below. You will register for Leadership Academy. $25 per person. Lunch included. Scholarships available. Contact Keren Mondaca, 619-481-5455.

Presenter Bios

Charlotte Greeson is a longtime Christian educator and the the formation expert at Virginia Theological Seminary’s Center for the Ministry of Teaching. In that capacity she helps people learn about teaching, and formation. She is a writer for buildfaith.org and she has awesome hair.

Alexandra Howard is the children’s minister at St. Bartholomew’s, Poway. She grew up in San Diego and has served and worshiped at a number of congregations in our diocese including St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. David’s, St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea and now St. Bartholomew’s. She is a mother and a fierce competitor in the game of life.

Charlette Preslar is the director of youth and family ministries at Christ Church, Coronado, the chaplain at Christ Church Day School, and the youth missioner for the diocese. She is a founding member of the diocesan youth collaborative and is passionate about connecting children, youth and families to their faith and the Episcopal Church. She’s a great cook and loves all things outdoors.

Laurel Mathewson is the co-vicar of St. Luke’s, San Diego – North Park. She grew up in rural Oregon, graduated from Stanford, and attended seminary at Sewanee. She’s passionate about formation, social justice, parenting, writing, trees and well-made cookies.

David Tremaine is the director of formation and outreach at St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego. He is a native of West Caldwell, New Jersey but spent his high school and college years in Gainesville, Florida. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary but decided not to be ordained because he felt God calling him to a life of lay ministry. He is the instigator for Fearless Formation.