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Register for the College for Congregational Development Summer Program
Registration for the summer intensive weeklong program of College for Congregational Development (CCD) is now OPEN. It will take place June 14-19, 2026 in-person at the Claggett Center. Drawing on congregational and organization development theory and practice, CCD seeks to nurture and develop lay and clergy leaders through developing healthy, responsive leadership, facilitation skills, and teamwork. Province III helps offset the cost for participants from the province outside of the Diocese of Maryland. Contact the Rev. Canon Kristin Krantz with questions HERE.
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| | | Province III is seeking a new Treasurer.
This is a volunteer position, in which you will have the opportunity to work closely with provincial leadership in serving our churches in the mid-Atlantic, shaping the ministry of today and the future. Time commitment is between 2-4/month.
We are in a healthy financial position and have good systems in place. Our budget is simple, and we have a solid track record of good management. The workload is not heavy.
If you are interested or know of someone who might be a good fit, please contact Province III President Bishop Kevin Brown. |
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| | Beyond Forma focuses on “Belonging & Becoming”
January 26-29, formation leaders from seven dioceses met together at the Claggett Center to connect, refresh, and learn new ministry skills.
Evenings, attendees met in plenary and small groups. They heard from their colleagues who were able to get to the national Forma gathering in Denver, in spite of the weather and flights cancellations, about what they learned. And they spent an evening online with the Rev. Jenny Williams, Faith Organizer for the ACLU of West Virginia, who offered insight into how to engage students on the topic of Christian Nationalism. Mornings were spent connecting with God, through practicing new spiritual disciplines, such as through breath work and Tai Chi. Below are a few photos from the time.
 
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| | Provincial Youth Event 2026 |
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| Planned and led by a leadership team of high school students, middle and high school students gathered at Claggett Center for PYE 2026 this past March. A total of 67 participants sang, studied the Bible, had fun, made new friends, and grew in their relationship with God. Plenary sessions were led by the student leadership team and the keynote speaker, the Rev. Shayna Watson.
  
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| | The Rev. Dr. Michael DeLashmuttpresents on A.I. at Synod |
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| In a very interactive presentation, Fr. DeLashmutt led Synod attendees in reflecting on how the church should or should not make use of A.I. To get our brains going, Fr. DeLashmutt began with the question: “What would a priest gain and lose from using A.I. to write a sermon?” Participants wrote their responses and posted them in analog form, which you can see here:
 
Everyone in attendance found the presentation helpful. Several diocese are making plans to bring Fr. DeLashmutt to present to their clergy and leadership. |
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| | B.E.S.T.meets in Alexandria, VA
What is B.E.S.T., you ask? It is the Bishops’ Executive Secretaries Team. (Actually, I’m not sure what the “T” stands for! But I think this works.)
These hard-working executive assistants keep our bishops on time, on task, and on schedule. If you are reading this newsletter, then you no doubt benefit from their gifts that they share with the church daily. Please thank them next time you see them or communicate with them!
This year at their annual gathering, they invited the bishops to join them for a day, and they heard presentations on congregational development. |
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| Pictured above, from left to right: Row 1: left to right Nichol Free, Susquehanna Anita List, retired, Virginia (the current EA was unable to attend, and Anita was designated as our conference site chair in 2024 before her retirement in 2025) Andrea Rath, Pittsburgh Kathleen Moore, Delaware Row 2: left to right Lynn Anstatt, Easton Caroline Bomgardner, Maryland Mia Hain, Pennsylvania Jess Pandolfino, Maryland Leah Sicignano, Southern VA Michael Saglione, West Virginia Not pictured, Deacon Annemarie Quigley, Washington, who attended but was not available for the picture. |
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| (Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Wasington)
From leaders of this new Eco-Region, here is information about what it is and hopes to become:
“The Chesapeake Bay watershed, which includes Delaware Bay, will unite and align our dioceses and others who have expressed interest in joining us in the work of care, advocacy, and protection of this beautiful but threatened ecosystem. Despite decades of advocacy and hard-won gains, the Chesapeake is yet again facing existential threats due to wastewater and agricultural runoff, and the impacts of climate change. Restoration and care of this watershed require a spiritual response that leads to action and commitment, and we will leverage the resources and hearts of all parishioners in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to nurture this environment, learn from it, and follow God’s call to protect the vulnerable and restore what is broken in this world.
Representatives from all dioceses to this eco-region will be guided by the Spirit as we walk together in this first year of getting to know each other and pray and dream together about what the eco-region might become.
Alongside getting to know one another and discerning the future, the visible work of the eco-region will include an annual report distributed throughout each diocese sharing news, updates, formation materials, and liturgical resources focused on eco-justice, environmental theology, and creation liturgy.”
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| | News from VTS Lifelong Learning
Virginia Theological Seminary’s Lifelong Learning ministry seeks to form leaders who connect, nurture, and build communities of faithful practice. It offers onsite, online, and on-demand programming. It has a new program beginning Wednesday, May 20 on Formation for Faithful Action.To register and learn more about their offerings, check out their webpage.
They also have a new resource: Roots & Wings: Intergenerational Formation Collaborative, which has recently published a new, free resource: The Hallmarks of Intergenerational Worship Toolkit. Designed to help congregations assess and strengthen how they welcome, engage, and empower all ages in worship, the toolkit identifies five foundational characteristics of intergenerational worship. Learn more here.
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| | | General Convention is ApproachingAnd the Joint Standing Committee on Nominations is inviting members from across The Episcopal Church to apply for key church-wide leadership positions, including: Trustee of the Church Pension Fund Member, Executive Council Secretary of the House of Deputies Treasurer of the General Convention Member, General Board of Examining Chaplains Member, Disciplinary Board for Bishops Member, Court of Review Member, Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop
Priority deadline to apply is June 15. Apply online here. Elections will take place at the 82nd General Convention in Phoenix, AZ July 3-8, 2027. |
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A classic book for couples about to marry, couples already married, and the clergy and congregations that support them. In this updated edition, Linda Grenz and Delbert Glover thoughtfully explore the joys and challenges of marriage. Written for engaged and married couples—as well as the clergy who offer them spiritual and practical guidance—the book draws on the authors’ complementary perspectives: Grenz as an Episcopal priest and Glover as a former corporate executive. Together, they invite readers into honest, meaningful conversations about the foundations of a healthy partnership. New, inclusive material provides a discussion-based framework for topics such as extended family relationships, financial decision‑making, conflict resolution, and sexual intimacy, enriched by insights from the authors’ own marriage of more than thirty years. Order from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or your favorite bookseller. Paperback | 9781640659506 | List Price: $24.95 |
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