All About the Initiative
Over the last five years the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its ministry areas have been engaging in the transformational work of intergenerational communities and practices to live into the gospel. We have seen how important it is that parents and caregivers have the skills and confidence to share their faith with their children. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the critical importance of faith formation in our households, and we have seen the trauma and impact of isolation in our communities. This is an arena of ministry we began developing prior to the pandemic and it continues to gain significant momentum. As new generations emerge, we have come to understand how faith is experienced in new ways particularly around Christian practices. We believe that the time for learning new skills as leaders and reaching our parents and caregivers in new ways is upon us. Around the Table will be providing skills and training for parents and caregivers individually and bringing them together with their intergenerational faith communities that work to engage the gospel in the world.
Around the Table will focus on two main audiences: 1) parents and caregivers and 2) leaders from existing congregations and those who are part of our new church expressions in the 1001 New Worshiping Communities initiative. We are particularly excited about plans with new worshiping communities that have a larger representation of racial diverse and new immigrant communities. We will be engaging faith communities in a variety of ways to include:
● Cohorts that engage leaders who will become better equipped to lead home-based intergenerational faith formation.
● Intergenerational retreats to equip congregations and households to be in partnership to pass on faith to the next generation.
● Topical skill building sessions engaging parents and caregivers with the confidence and skills they need to share their faith.
● Reaching the greater denomination and beyond with an accessible resource digital platform.
The Office of Christian Formation in the Presbyterian Mission Agency will lead this initiative alongside our partners. If you are ready to engage in this initiative, reach out to our team to learn more!
