Speaking of Spring . . .

January 27, 2015

Dear Friends,

Even as the NFL SuperBowl date approaches, I hear friends looking ahead with longing toward the opening of spring training for that other quintessential American sporting pastime - baseball.

As I write, the remains of Blizzard Juneau as it was named at the end of January is passing over my head.  It does not look or feel at all like there is a reality called 'spring' to be expected.  But of course, gracious memory and experience assures us that it will indeed come.

Here at Mercer School, in tandem with our partners in the diocese LIFFT (Long Island Faith Formation Team, representing Education for Ministry, the Youth and Young Adult Ministry office, and Camp DeWolfe along with Mercer) we are sending out an email with many exciting events stretching from the heart of winter (February) to the opening of summer (June).  And we are calling it all Spring 2015.

When you receive the email, you'll see that almost every listed event has a brief description, followed by a link for 'further information and registration.'  Clicking there will bring to a page dedicated to that individual event and include a link for registration easily done.  You can always call the Mercer office with any lingering questions too.

This spring will witness, among many other events . . .

• our 3rd annual Faith Formation Convocation, this year hoping to focus directly on the great work being done here in the congregations of our diocese;
• the first Robert Farrar Capon Memorial Lecture, to be presented in memory of our recently deceased former Dean of Mercer by one of his distinguished successors, the Rev. Dr. "Tony" Lewis of Virginia Theological Seminary;
• a day for religious educators on Confirmation in the 21st century and faith formation in the future with accomplished editor, blogger, and educator Sharon Ely Pearson;

• a 2-day forum at the beginning of May with author Joy Skjegstad on New Community Ministry, New Funding Partners; These two days will assist clergy and lay leaders in undertaking effective ministry in the local community and in finding funding to make it possible; join us for one or both days, May 1/2, 2015 at Mercer School of Theology; cosponsored by Episcopal Ministries of Long Island and the Parish Resource Center;

• our ongoing workshops on Safe Church, Racism Awareness, resources for vestries and more;
• an amazing variety of opportunities to bring spirituality alive in retreats and days of reflection for adults and youth, including a lenten retreat for friends in 12-step programs;
• and - this is really true - much much more!

All of these events are listed as well on our Mercer School calendar on the Mercer website - hit the link for Events/Register on our homepage.

In addition, at email's end, you'll see an opportunity opening at Mercer School that might be for you, or for which you might be able to suggest a resource.  Our outreach on the web, in social media, in the in-house use of technology, on many fronts, has grown robust enough to benefit now by ongoing, skilled help, whether on-staff or consulting.  See more on our email as you receive it.

In the midst of winter, hope for spring!

Blessings,

John McGinty+

Canon for Formation

Dean, Mercer School of Theology