Christian Formation Resources

November 2023

Welcome to the Office of Christian Formation (Presbyterian Mission Agency, PC[USA]) quarterly resources and highlights. This includes formation resources for all ages, intergenerational ministries, the Matthew 25 focus areas, upcoming events and more! Pass this along to leaders who could benefit from this compilation of ministry tools.

The Faith Formation at Home Symposium was the first event the Office of Christian Formation hosted connected to the Christian Parenting and Caregiver Initiative grant received from the Lilly Endowment Inc. Research and tips were shared and the program’s new name and focus were announced. Read the article about the symposium to find out more. 

Psalms of Wonder At-Home Resources 

 The Office of Christian Formation is in partnership with Presbyterian Publishing to create free downloadable at-home resources and congregational resources for Flyaway Books. There are more to come soon, but Psalms of Wonder is the first. In English and Spanish. 

Faith Formation Leader Connection 

 The Faith Formation Leader Connection is an opportunity to connect, share, and learn with the Office of Christian Formation staff and formation leaders. Click the button below for registration and resources shared in past months. On Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. Eastern and Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern, the topic will be Matthew 25 Resources. The Nov. 28 event will be the last one for 2023. 

Partner News

The APCE (Association of Partners in Christian Education) Annual Event will take place in St. Louis at Union Station Hotel and Amusement Complex on Jan. 24–27, 2024. The event theme is “Come All Who Are Thirsty.” Registration is open! Click here for more information. 

Update from PPC 

New for Advent

In Stay Awhile,  pastor Kara Eidson presents a banquet table of inspiration, including weekly reflections for personal and small-group, brief daily devotions, liturgies, sermon starters, children’s moments, and a no-rehearsals-needed Christmas pageant.  

Matthew 25 Summit  

Matthew 25 Summit: An Invitation to Innovation

The Matthew 25 Summit will be held in Atlanta on Jan. 16–18, 2024. More information here. 

PC(USA) Featured Resources 

Another Starry Black Night, the Unbound Advent 2023 Devotional, will be released Nov. 20. Read this fabulous resource here.

Between 2 Pulpits is a new podcast that provides resources and information that congregations of any size can use to engage with the Special Offerings and the Presbyterian Giving Catalog. To learn more about this practical podcast, listen to the first three episodes here. In the first episode, you’ll meet hosts the Rev. Dr. John Wilkinson and Certified Christian Educator Katie Snyder.

Call to Worship’s website has been newly designed. Click here for more information and to subscribe.

New Resources Available

New Study:

• Every Living Creature: Authentic Christian Faith in a Multi-Faith World

New Quicksheets:

• Responding to Traumatic Events

• Ways to Care For Your College Students After a Tragic Event

The Faith Formation Leader Connection Monthly Resource Zoom, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. Eastern and Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Eastern. The topic will be Matthew 25 Resources. Registration information here.  

Listening Circle: Spanish Resources, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. Eastern. This online gathering for Spanish-speaking Faith Formation leaders will be a time to share about your ministry context, what resources you are using and what formation resources you wish existed. Register here.

Christmas Joy Offering, Dec. 3–24. More information here.

Matthew 25 Summit, Jan. 16–18, 2024, in Atlanta, with the theme “An Invitation to Innovation.” More information here. 

APCE Annual Event, Jan. 24–27, 2024: The Association of Partners in Christian Education will gather with the theme “Come All Who Are Thirsty” in St. Louis for their annual event. Learn more here. Register now! 

Fernclipse: Solar Eclipse Intergenerational Event, April 6 –9, 2024: Join the Office of Christian Formation and Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, for this special intergenerational event. Learn more here and save your spot.