What’s Next for Faith-Filled Families

Last year the Lilly Endowment awarded Virginia Theological Seminary a generous grant to launch a new initiative called Faith-filled Families: Christian Practices for Abundant Parenting. There are many components of this initiative, and one of them included adopting Grow Christians. So this online community moved from our home at Forward Movement to the Center for Lifelong Learning at VTS. Together we are creating new content, ministries, and workshops for our shared demographics.

Currently Faith-filled Families is partnering with schools affiliated with Episcopal congregations in the Washington, Maryland, and Virginia vicinity. Donna Sweeting and Missouri McPhee, Project Director and Project Coordinator for Faith-filled Families respectively, hope to strengthen the relationships between the congregations’ clergy and their students while also helping parents strengthen the faith of their students at home.

Faith-filled Families first resource was recently published and distributed to all of these partner churches and schools, but it is also available for anyone to purchase. The Essence of Ministry is a book of devotionals written by clergy for clergy. Donna and Missiouri recruited clergy of eight different denominations to contribute as authors. Whether they are known as pastor, priest, itinerant elder, bishop, deacon, hospice chaplain, or professor, one thing all the contributors share is a dedication to children’s faith formation.

The entries of this book are both inspiring and practical. Each page in The Essence of Ministry includes a verse of scripture, a short reflection on the verse, a prayer, and an activity. These activities range from questions for clergy to consider on their own to conversational prompts and exercises they can share with students during chapel services. If you are involved in any way with the faith formation of preschoolers, I encourage you to buy a copy of this book.

The next big thing for Faith-filled Family is a day-long family conference in the style of a play date. The event is taking place at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, Maryland and open to anyone and everyone who can be there on October 5. It’s a free event, but folks are asked to register so we know how many people to expect. There will be speakers, musicians, puppeteers, storytellers, and musicians.

Our goal is to create a space where families can connect, learn, and grow together. This festival is designed to be fun and interactive. There will be activities that both parents and children can enjoy, fostering a deeper bond and shared understanding of faith.

Please save the date. If you live in the great DC area, please invite a friend and join Grow Christians for a day of joyful play, meaningful conversations, and spiritual growth. And if you know folks who live in the area, please share this post with them. I’m definitely looking forward to hearing the gospel told by Miss Patty Cake! Also, when you arrive, please say hello. It’s wonderful connecting with members of this faithful Grow Christians community.