          |
 |
 |
About ECF
St. James Episcopal Church Episcopal Christian Formation (ECF) Every Christian Formed OUR MISSION STATEMENT Episcopal Christian Formation Ministries (ECF) will provide catechetical opportunities for all persons to study the Scriptures and to learn Christianity in the Liturgy, Sacraments, and Tradition of the Episcopal Church leading, by virtue of baptism to lifelong active participation in the life and ministry of the local ecclesia. Our mission is to provide access to sound and inclusive Christian faith formation with access for fellowship at all levels throughout a person's lifelong process of Christian maturity. The goal will be to incarnate the great "Welcome of Christ" as lived out in the Episcopal Church. OUR GOAL To offer a quality Episcopal formative process that is safe, sustainable, systematic, and appropriately structured; one which is intentionally inclusive, programmatically interconnected, and clearly communicated to all involved; one which is supported by the parish leadership and parishioners with resources, access to marketing and communication with provision of appropriate tools necessary to build and to carry out the ministry. The goal is to establish ECF by putting in place elements necessary for long term foundation. OUR VISION In addition to the study of Scripture and the Book of Common Prayer, the ECF curriculum will include care of young children, chapel worship, and prayer experiences, along with opportunities for engagement in parish life and participation in Episcopal regional, diocesan and national offerings. The program will provide opportunities for service outreach, and experiences of interfaith, ecumenical and multicultural exchange. The structure will also be designed to effectively catechize and include families and children with learning challenges, behavioral disorders, and physical disabilities. OUR INCLUSIVE DESIGN The program design will intentionally be respectful of ecumenical and interfaith families providing a safe and reverential place to explore the rich gifts that come from being a member of a multi-belonging family. The curriculum of the youth communities will enable each young person to be formed as a mature, responsible and active Christian. There will be time for study, service, and fellowship. ECF Ministries will be responsible for recruiting and training catechetical teachers, chapel leaders, youth community leaders, and adult leaders. To help you see our structural concept please look at our position descriptions OUR APPROACH The intentional approach is to effectively nurture the faith life of the child and the family as a unit providing corresponding adult faith formation. The approach will be intrinsically sensitive, responding as Christ to whatever their need. This implies a well-formed program design which will implement a quality curriculum, foster ongoing faith formation and encourage lifelong Episcopal education for ministry. The approach will embrace practicing intentional outreach, systematically building Christian community and fostering interrelationships among families to know and support one another as the Body of Christ. Throughout the year our approach will image the radical and unconditional welcome of Christ. To build such a system we will collaboratively develop a strategic plan approved through all appropriate persons and structures. We will provide adequate resources for a sustainable program, commit to training and structure opportunities for visioning, planning, prioritizing and evaluating ongoing progress. We will work toward building sustainable infrastructure and lay the groundwork for intentional healthy growth. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH WELCOMES YOU! Return to ECF |