| | Late Winter 2025 Newsletter |  |
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| | | Province III News | | | |
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| | WE WANT YOUR INPUT FOR SYNOD 2025! | |
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| | Are you planning on attending Province III Synod on Monday, May 5? We want to hear from you! 
What topic or topics are you interested in discussing? Digital evangelism? Creation care? Congregational vitality? Raising up a new generation of church leaders? Partnership ministries? Immigrant protections? Something else? Contact Province III Coordinator Pam Cochran with your ideas. | |
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| | | Website Transition! | 
Between now and mid-February, the Province III website will be transitioning to a new host site. Please be patient with us during this time. If you have any questions or need further information on Province III happenings, please contact our coordinator, Pam Cochran. | |
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| | | Rooted and Relevant: A Campus Ministry Workshop | | | 
On January 3rd-4th, nine leaders and innovators in Young Adult and Campus Ministry from Province 3 gathered at the Claggett Center in Adamstown, MD to share with and to learn from each other. We were delighted to invite the Rev. Allen Wakabayashi, Episcopal chaplain to Princeton University and a leader in campus ministry, to facilitate a series of workshops and conversations centered on planting and growing this often-neglected ministry for our Church. Participants in the retreat, ordained and lay leaders of active ministries and seekers hoping to launch or revitalize dormant ministries, all benefited from the time together. We shared meals, worshipped, and made connections. Our hope is that this will lead to deeper connections among those engaged in Young Adult and Campus Ministry in our province and that we can all become effective advocates for robust engagement in this crucial ministry at the parish, diocesan, and provincial levels of our Church. –The Rev. Dr. Ted Christopher Descriptions of the workshops Fr. Allen led: Session 1: Campus Assessment Rather than coming to a campus to impose a ministry, our call is to lead a contextualized campus ministry that fits our particular campus. What can you do to assess and understand your campus? Session 2: Building Blocks of Campus Ministry What are we seeking to build on campus with our ministry? This session will propose some building blocks for building a healthy, vibrant, and lasting campus ministry. |
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| | | Upcoming Events | | | |
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| | | Province III Retreat / Forma Conference | | | 
The 2nd Annual Province III Retreat & Forma Conference | “Come Away Together” Forma is an annual gathering of forward-thinking individuals, industry leaders, and dedicated professionals in faith formation. And for the second year, the dioceses in Province III joined together to participate in a radically hybrid 2025 Forma Conference. This innovative approach was designed to provide accessible, top-notch professional development, without losing the important connections that make being in community special.From January 27-30, 36 formation leaders from Province III spent mornings together in retreat with a focus on prayer. We were led by experienced practitioners in using yoga, music, and nature to supplement our own regular practices of prayer. Afternoons were spent in smaller groups attending online Forma seminars, with other leaders from around the U.S. Topics ranged from presentations on new Godly Play sessions to how to start a Book Group. Evenings were spent in fellowship, with good conversation, games, and food. Check out some of the photos from our time “away together”: |
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| | | Formation Ministry Deep Dive March 24, 2025 | | | 
The Joy and How-tos of Budgeting Join Jason Kamrath
Province III Treasurer
Former CFO of the Diocese of Maryland from noon to 1 pm
as we take a Deep Dive into
BUDGETING! Learn how to enjoy creating an accurate budget for your ministry needs. Meeting ID: 873 2587 9611
Passcode: 935103 |
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| | | College for Congregational Development 2025 | | | 
Registration is now open for the summer 2025 program of the College for Congregational Development in the Diocese of Maryland. It will meet at The Claggett Center June 15-20, with an advance virtual pre-session date TBA. The College for Congregational Development is a comprehensive training program that seeks to nurture and develop lay and clergy leadership by drawing on congregational and organization development theory and practice. We focus on developing healthy, responsive leadership, facilitation skills, and teamwork through understanding of Anglican/Episcopal ethos, culture, spirituality, and ways of being the church today. The goals of the College are: - Healthy, faithful, sustainable churches living into their calling to be the Body of Christ in their own place and time and people.
- Congregations that are deeply grounded in their own Episcopal identity, in a way that fits with their context.
- Leaders who know the challenges and opportunities they face and are equipped to respond, both individually and together with their faith communities.
- A common language and culture of practice of congregational development throughout the Diocese, recognizing that this is possible for churches of all sizes, locations, and conditions.
- Connections among leaders within and between congregations that strengthen shared learning, encouragement, community, and inspiration.
The focus of the College is on congregational teams learning together in order to broaden congregational leadership. We believe teams are best able to implement positive, shared, and long-lasting change for the health of their community. Many of the exercises the College uses concentrate on your specific congregation’s experience, inviting you to go deep in both reflection and planning. The cost of registration for members of Province III is slightly discounted. It includes a single room, all meals, and materials for the week. Click here to register for the College. If you have questions or would like more information, please email The Rev. Canon Kristin Krantz at ccd@episcopalmaryland.org. |
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| | | Around the Province | | | |
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| | | Upcoming Offerings from Lifelong Learning, a ministry of VTS | “Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary provides continuous opportunities for theological education in the service of faithful leadership. It is for the committed and the curious, lay and clergy eager to claim and explore their Christian vocations in today’s world. Lifelong Learning at VTS is a multi-faceted program grounded in theology and research-based practices to provide transformational learning for courageous leadership in a changing church” (From the VTS webpage on Lifelong Learning). Offerings include Worship for All Ages, Faith-Filled Families, and they also offer Christian Formation & Discipleship Office Hours for you to bring your specific questions, concerns, and ideas to discuss. Information about their onsite, online, and on-demand programming can be found here. | |
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| | | 2025 Summer Camps at Claggett | | | 
The Claggett Center offers week-long, residential, camp programs for youth completing 2nd grade to recently-graduated high school seniors. Whether climbing high on the ropes course or diving deep at the pool, there’s something for everyone. From adventures on the Monocacy River and Sugarloaf Mountain, to swimming, games, campfires and classic skits, campers are sure to create new friendships and renew old ones year after year. Summer Camps at Claggett are Christian formation ministries of the Episcopal Dioceses of Maryland and Washington. Camp is grounded in Scripture and tradition, and encourages campers and staff to use their whole selves as ways to explore the Christian Story. Each week a chaplain participates in all camp activities, and supports the ministry of camp through prayer, participation and spiritual direction. Learn more |
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| | | Around the Church | | | |
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| | | Archivists of Province III: Join archivists from around the country quarterly | Purpose of this network: This network creates a space for mutual support and exchange of information as we seek to acquire, preserve, protect, organize and make accessible materials in all formats that document the life of our dioceses. Quarterly meetings in 2025: Mar 10, Jun 9, Sept 8, Dec 8 (2nd Mondays). Learn more here. | |
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| | | Episcopal Service Corps Applications now open | | | 
Episcopal Service Corps equips young adults ages 21-32 to transform themselves and the communities around them through faithful commitment to prayer, practice, and self-discovery in year-long programs around the country. To learn more about ESC, its programs, and how to apply, go to their website. View post on site to see photos. | | | |
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| | | ECF’s “Fellowship Partners Program” opens its 2025 fellowship applications | The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) is excited to announce that 2025 fellowship applications are now open for the Fellowship Partners Program! Since 1964, ECF has supported nearly 240 dedicated lay and clergy leaders through this program, empowering them with resources for advanced academic studies and specialized ministries that strengthen The Episcopal Church’s mission and impact. The Fellowship Partners Program nurtures leaders at a formative stage, enabling them to contribute in meaningful ways to the church’s growth and future. Here’s what you should know before applying: - We Empower the Next Generation. ECF is committed to strengthening the leadership capability of The Episcopal Church. Applicants are asked to describe how they will be developing the next generation of leaders for the Episcopal Church, whether in the context of a local congregation, through a church-wide initiative, or in another setting.
- Our Support Goes Beyond Funding. An ECF Fellowship provides both financial backing and invaluable connections. Awards typically range up to $15,000 for the first year, with renewals available for up to two additional years. New Fellows also join a vibrant network of past Fellows and ECF partners, connecting with peers and mentors across the church.
- The Selection Process is Rigorous. Because we take this commitment seriously, the fellowship application process is highly competitive and requires thorough preparation. We encourage all applicants to begin early to ensure a strong submission. The deadline to apply is March 11, 2025, and the selected fellows will be announced in June 2025.
For more information about the Fellowship Partners Program application process, visit our website, where you’ll find everything you need, including our Frequently Asked Questions. Curious about our current fellows? Check out the profiles of the 2024 fellows here. | |
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| | | 2025 Tri-History Conference | Every three years (excepting Covid), three organizations–The Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, The Episcopal Women’s History Project, and National Episcopal Historians and Archivists–sponsor a cooperative, triennial conference on the history of The Episcopal Church. The next conference will take place June 17-21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. The topic is Caminemos con Jesús: History of Latino Ministry in the Episcopal Church. 
More information on the conference and registration information can be found on the Tri-history Conference website. | |
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| | | New Lenten Resource from Church Publishing: Walking with God | This Lent, cultivate a daily physical and spiritual fitness routine. In this inspiring guide, wellness expert Anna Fitch Courie explores forty biblical journeys to improve readers’ physical and spiritual well-being. From Israel’s trek to the Promised Land to Paul’s missionary trips throughout Rome, this book takes readers on an adventure through scripture, encouraging them to journey on foot like their biblical forebears. Each chapter offers a thought-provoking passage from scripture, a spiritual lesson, and actions steps readers can take to incorporate physical activity into their daily life. Meant to be consumed over 40 days, Walking with God promises to help readers start an invigorating fitness routine that will enrich not only their body but also their soul. “As a priest and endurance athlete, I’ve been keeping a training log and journal for years but have long sought a comprehensive and cohesive way to reflect on mind, body, spirit and athletic pursuits. Walking with God is the book I’ve been waiting for. Whether you are taking the first steps to wellness or have a full race calendar, those seeking to integrate faith and fitness will find Fitch Courie’s book to be a wonderful resource.”—Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, co-captain of the SteepleChasers relay team for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, half-marathoner, and sometime triathlete Order from any Episcopal bookstore, Amazon, ChristianBook, or your favorite bookseller. Paperback | 9781640657816 | List Price: $18.95 | |
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