Faith Formation Opportunities
Baptism may be a one-time event, but living into our Baptismal calling is a life's work. No matter who we are, no matter our age or life's stage, we have much to learn as we seek to live lives of daring discipleship in the way of Jesus.
At Synod in May 2023, the Structures Working Group's Implementation Plan called our Diocesan community of communities to focus on and provide increased access and opportunity for lay people to grow in and embody their faith.
That's why, in addition to all of the wonderful local opportunities for faith formation and spiritual development in our church communities, the Diocesan Website is becoming a place where we will continue to share opportunities to deepen Christian understanding and practice including diocesan offerings, offerings from Christian scholars and leaders, as well as a variety of educational institutions.
We will seek to keep the Events section of the Diocesan Website up to date with these opportunities. For now, here is a taste of some upcoming courses.
Diocesan Courses
Epiphany Book Study: When Church Stops Working with Bishop Lynne and Andrew Stephens-Rennie
Mondays - January 8, 15, 22, 29, and February 5 from 6.30pm to 8.00pm (Pacific Time)
Wednesdays - January 10, 17, 24, 31, and February 7 from 9.30am to 11.00am (Pacific Time)
Throughout the season of Epiphany, Bishop Lynne will lead a zoom study of this book with Andrew Stephens-Rennie (the Diocese of Kootenay’s Director of Missional Renewal). Each parish is invited and strongly encouraged to form a local discussion group and participate in this study together.
Click here for more info and to register
Crafting and Leading Intercessions with Bishop Lynne, Pam Harris, the Ven. Christine Ross, and Andrew Stephens-Rennie
Saturday February 17, 2024 from 9.00am-1.00pm or
Tuesdays February 20 & 27, 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
Christian worship is always a matter of coming before God in prayer. This workshop is for those who are curious about crafting and leading prayers, those who are new to the practice of leading intercessions, those who wish to refresh their energy and ideas, and those who have led this for a long time.
Licensed Lay Ministers, Deacons, and Locally Trained Priests are encouraged to register for this course as a part of their continuing education.
Click here for more information or to register for the Saturday morning session
Click here for more information or to register for the Tuesday night sessions
Other Courses
Preaching Parables with Dr. Joni Sancken (Vancouver School of Theology Course)
Tuesdays starting January 16, 2024 from 2.00-5.00pm
Parables can be challenging for preachers and yet they comprise about 1/3 of Jesus’ teaching. How does one bring a fresh word that maintains continuity to this difficult and well-trod territory? This course explores biblical parables and their use in the preaching of Jesus with a focus on contemporary homiletical application.
Click here for more information including the syllabus and links to registration.
Practicing Evangelism in a Post-Christian World with Dr. Ross Lockhart (Vancouver School of Theology Course)
Wednesdays starting January 17, 2024 from 6.00-9.00pm
This course is designed for students approaching ministry in pastoral and public contexts. Located in the field of Mission Studies, this course will attend specifically to contemporary issues in evangelism, by analyzing and studying the history, practice, and effectiveness of how Christians share the gospel in the world, with a particular emphasis upon the Canadian context.
Click here for more information including the syllabus and links to registration.
The Spirituality of Christian Worship with Dr. Joni Sancken (Vancouver School of Theology Course)
Thursdays starting January 18, 2024 from 9.00am-12.00pm
This course explores the connections between spiritual disciplines, gathered worship, and lived discipleship. Students will survey biblical, historical, theological, and cultural foundations of Christian worship to help design prayers and devotional liturgies that contribute to spiritual formation and nurture the faith of Christians.
Click here for more information including the syllabus and links to registration.
Voices in the Wilderness: Dismantling Anti-Black Racism, a Historical and Theological Dialogue (Huron University College Course)
Tuesdays starting January 30, 2024 from 5.00-7.00pm (Pacific)
This course will explore Black voices in the scriptures and contributions of early Christians of African descent. Together we will wrestle with the impact of colonization, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, and race as a social construct, on the lives of people of African descent.
Students will contend with ways in which Christian faith traditions and institutions have both facilitated and confronted anti-Black racism and be introduced to an overview of challenges facing Canadians of Black, African, and Caribbean descent in the present day.
Click here for more information or to register.
Finding Home in a World of Displacement: A Lenten Course with Dr. Brian J. Walsh (Bible Remixed Course)
Sundays starting February 18, 2024 from 4.00-6.00pm (Pacific)
Homelessness surrounds us. What happens if we read the whole biblical witness as a story of home, homelessness and homecoming? This course is for anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the Bible and its relation to contemporary life. All are welcome, regardless of denominational or religious affiliation. No prior knowledge of the Bible is necessary.