Christian Formation:

Deeper into faith, through learning and practice


...an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. 

 Book of Common Prayer, a prayer at Baptism


Learning the “what” and the “how” of the Christian faith engages head and heart and body. It’s often called “Christian formation,” since our aim is to grow into lives shaped more and more like Jesus’ life: “to the measure of the full stature of Christ,” as the Letter to the Ephesians puts it. (Eph 4:13). And it’s “discipleship,” being a disciple—that is, a student—of the way of love that Jesus lived and taught. 

 You’ll find resources here if you yourself are curious to learn more about the “Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement,” as well as if you are teaching the faith to others. 

  • The Lectionary Page sets out the Bible passages read in worship on Sundays and other holy days. Click here.

    Join a Bible study with a congregation, or follow one online.  Click here then scroll for Bible Studies That Work, from The Episcopal Church.

    The Good Book Club reads a portion of the Bible together beginning every January. Click here.

    Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings as listed in the Revised Common Lectionary or the Daily Office from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer. Click here for an online version of Forward Day by Day.

  • Daily Prayer, from Forward Movement: Options offered include the Daily Office (Morning and Evening Prayer) and other daily worship from the Book of Common Prayer. Click here.

    Additional guides to the Daily Office:

    Venite: Click here.

    Oremus: Click here.

    Mission St. Clare: Click here.

    Pray as you go: A daily resource for prayer, music, scripture, and reflection. Click here.

    Find a worshipping community of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire: Click here.

    The Digital Mission of the ECNH worships online. Connect with that community of the spiritually curious: Click here.

  • What We Believe, from The Episcopal Church

    “We Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating, and life-giving God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As constituent members of the Anglican Communion in the United States, we are descendants of and partners with the Church of England and the Scottish Episcopal Church, and are part of the third largest group of Christians in the world.

    “We believe in following the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.

    “We have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; women and men serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God, and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of sexual identity or orientation.

    “We believe that God loves you – no exceptions.” Click here for more.

    The Way of Love: Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life

    “The Way of Love is a way of life. More than a program or curriculum, it is an intentional commitment to a set of practices. It's a commitment to follow Jesus: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest.” Click here for more.

    A Church That Looks and Acts Like Jesus Click here for more.

    Grow Christians

    Grow Christians is a ministry of Forward Movement. We strive to create an online community of discipleship focused on the practical details of life at home. Gathering reflections, stories, images, and recipes from diverse Episcopalians, this group blog inspires generations to come together as they celebrate the presence of God through the Christian year. Click here.

    EFM, Education for Ministry

    “A unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study and practice. EfM helps the faithful encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences of the world as they study, worship, and engage in theological reflection together.” EfM happens online as well as through active groups based at many NH Episcopal Congregations. Click here to learn more about EfM.

    School for Ministry, Episcopal Church of New Hampshire

    The School for Ministry enrolls postulants and candidates for the priesthood in the Episcopal church. SFM also trains licensed lay preachers. The school will eventually offer courses to all who are interested in engaging with and deepening their faith. Click here to learn more about the School for Ministry.

    Forma

    Forma is the Network for Christian Formation for the Episcopal Church and beyond. Forma celebrates, equips, supports and connects leaders who form followers of Jesus. Click here to learn more about Forma.

    Resources from Province I, the Episcopal Church in New England

    Formation Network NH offers a Facebook page for sharing resources, ideas, and requests, and to help make connections with fellow Christian Formation leaders and Sunday School teachers, and more. Click here for the Facebook page.

    Province I Christian Formation Network Monthly Conversations with Noted Speakers. Click here for Spring 2022 events.

    Building Faith

    Building Faith is published by Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. Our mission is to equip and inspire churches and individuals for the ministry of Christian education and faith formation. We believe that Christian education means helping all ages – children, youth, and adults – grow in the knowledge and love of God. We also know that formation happens in many ways: worship, church school, faith at home, outreach, mission, camp, and more. Click here.

  • Spiritual Gifts Inventory: A tool from the United Methodist Church. Click here.

    Wayfinders: To discern callings and goals, accompanied by a small group. Click here.

    Discerning my Path for Faithful Living: A discernment course offered through the Bexley Seabury Pathways program. Click here and scroll for more information.

    More resources for Discerning God’s Call, from the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire, are here.

  • A Spiritual Director is someone who is trained in listening and serves as a trusted companion for your spiritual journey. There are several centers for spiritual direction associated with the Episcopal Church in New England at which one can be connected with a spiritual director, or train to be a spiritual director. 

    Retreat centers offer time away, for rest, reflection, and prayer.

    Spiritual Direction in Province I, the Episcopal Church in New England. Click here.

    Adelynrood: Retreat and conference center run by the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, offering women and men conferences, workshop and individual and group retreats. The Adelynrood School for Spiritual Direction meets there each summer. Click here.

    Society of St. John the Evangelist (SSJE): Episcopal monastic community offering workshops, retreats, direction, internships, and formation materials like “Brother Give us A Word.” Click here.

    Bethany House of Prayer: Retreat and spiritual direction center run by the Sisterhood of St. Anne. Click here.

    Spiritual Direction International: An interfaith resource for information about spiritual direction. Click here.

  • Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center, Greenfield, New Hampshire. Click here.

    Camp Bishopwood, Hope, Maine. Click here.

  • Information about campus ministries coming soon.

  • Find resources for and connections to the Episcopal Church’s partners for work on behalf of racial reconciliation, Beloved Community, immigration, earth care, prison concerns, and children: Click here.

For more information about Christian Formation in New Hampshire, please contact Dean of Formation the Rev. Kelly Sundberg Seaman.