Looking Ahead with Joy

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Dear Friends, 

At last the weather is proclaiming the hope of spring and summer - at least for the moment!  It is a good time to look ahead to upcoming events here at Mercer School. 

On Saturday, June 14 our next Safe Church training will take place here in Garden City. Registration is now completely full as of May 27.  You are welcome to add your name to a waiting list in case of cancellations by individuals or groups already registered.  In addition, we are planning to have another Racism Awareness Program workshop during the upcoming summer season. 

Further out, there are already ten formation workshops and retreats scheduled for the summer and the next academic year.  These will take place at Mercer School, at Little Portion Friary, or at Camp DeWolfe as indicated.  Consider any or all of these for yourself or others in your parish: 

Saturday, July 12, 2014 - Day of Prayer for Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Lay Eucharistic Visitors at Little Portion Friary; 

Saturday, October 4, 2014 - Sunday School Symposium at Mercer School of Theology, sponsored by Youth Ministries and the Parish Resource Center; 

Friday-Sunday, October 10-12, 2014 - A Retreat for Young Adults(ages 18-35) at Little Portion Friary, sponsored by Young Adult Ministries; 

Saturday, January 10, 2015 - Engaging Today's Youth: A Workshop for Children's Ministers and Youth Ministers at Camp DeWolfe; 

Friday-Saturday, February 6-7, 2015 - Listening to God , a retreat for adults at Camp DeWolfe; 

Saturday-Monday, February 14-16, 2015 - High School Retreat at Camp DeWolfe; 

Saturday, March 21, 2015 - Lectors/Readers Day of Prayer at Camp DeWolfe; 

Saturday, April 18, 2015 - Choosing Confirmation and Sunday School Curriculum for Your Parish , at the Mercer School of Theology, sponsored by Youth Ministries; 

Tuesday, May 12, 2015 - Parish Administrators Appreciation Day at the Mercer School of Theology; 

Saturday, May 16, 2015 - 3rd Annual Faith Formation Convocationof the Diocese of Long Island at the Mercer School of Theology. 

These ten events are the work of the Faith Formation Team convened by the Canon for Formation's office.   I am extraordinarily grateful for their commitment and creativity.  Online registration for these events will be made available over the next several weeks.  In addition, stay tuned for word later this summer about Safe Church trainings over the next academic year at Garden City at Nassau County, as well as in Suffolk, Kings and Queens counties. 

We will also be announcing events for Clergy Continuing Formation, as well as short theology courses scheduled throughout the year. 

Blessings, 
John P. McGinty+ 
Canon for Formation