Children are indeed a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

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--Seneca Nation
All Children of the Earth Will Be Welcome at Our
Council Fires
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Who are we?
Select a card which reminds you of the first time
you realized the presence of God in Your world?
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You never know when you are making a memory!
Who was the most memorable guide on your faith
journey thus far? What year was that?
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Faith Formation is Life Long Journey

• Childhood
• Youth
• Young Adults
• Adults
• Elders

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Faith Formation 101 ?
Education
Experiences
Transformation
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Transformation
Desire
Action
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This action is the means by which one lives out
their Baptismal Covenant

• Continue in the apostle's teaching
• Persevere in resisting evil
• Repent and return to the Lord.
• Proclaim by word example the Good News
• Seek serve Christ in all persons
• Love your neighbor as yourself
• Strive for justice peace among all people
• Respect the dignity of every human being

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Theology of the Child

• Then Jesus took the children in his arms, placed
  his hands on each of them and blessed them. Mark
  1016
• Children are a gift from the Lord Psalm 1274
  (adapted)
• A child shall lead them Isaiah 116
• Baby Moses, Joseph, Isaac, Ishmael, Mary,
  Samuel, David, The Widows Son, Josiah, The
  Rulers Daughter, Timothy
• Our Christ Child

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A Childs View of Faith

• Pure
• Imaginative
• Exploring the existential questions
• Inquisitive

• Creative
• Free Open
• Joyful
• Impressionable
• Spiritual Beings

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Ministry to Children

• THE CHURCH IS CALLED
• _ to treasure each child as a gift from God
• _ to tell and show children that God is love
• _ to make working with children one of the most
  important things the church does
• _ to include children in everything the church
  does from Sunday worship to helping others

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Caring for Children

• THE CHURCH IS CALLED
• _ to love and protect children, in the church and
  in the world, especially children who
• are in danger
• _ to support families so that their children know
  their own special gifts as children of God
• _ to welcome all children who come to us,
  including those who come alone
• _ to stand up for children's rights in our
  churches, communities and the world

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Ministry by Children

• THE CHURCH IS CALLED
• _ to receive children's special gifts as signs of
  the grace of God
• _ to be a community where children and adults
  know one another by name,
• care about one another, and work together to
  follow Jesus' teachings and
• do God's work
• _ to encourage children's ability to show and
  share God's love and
• grace in the church and in the world

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3 Challenges!

• On each card place 1 challenge for a total of 3
  cards. (Please print in a clear large manner)
• Hang each card on the wall.
• As an entire group sort into three categories.
• Break into 3 groups choose your passion.
• As a group come up with a concise statement
  describing the challenge.
• What it seems like we need is?

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What have we revealed?
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Curriculum Criteria

• Interactive/Experiential
• Practical
• Significant to the culture/ethos
• Cost
• Episcopal/Anglican Foundations

• Sound Theology
• Usability
• Flexibility
• Exciting
• Lectionary vs.
• chronological

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Where to go to for more STUFF!

• Diocesan Education Committee
• Provincial Representatives
• www.episcopalchurch.org
• Jeffri Harre JHarre_at_episcopalchurch.org
• Lesson Plans for small congregations
• Episcopal Teacher
• Resource Centers
• On-Line Search (Careful on this one)

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If you are traveling with a child

• Discern your call to this ministry
• Is this working for you?
• How do you care for your own body, mind soul?
• Ask for help?
• Pray
• Give thanks

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Thinking GreenIn an attempt to save paper we
would be pleased to e-mail you a copy of this
power point presentation. Please contact

• Jeffri Harre Program Assistant CMCE
  JHarre_at_epsicopalchurch.org
• Christian Formation Children's Educators Day
  CMCE by R.Collins

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Q A
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One Final Thought