Certificate Program
I began my career as a twenty-three-year-old intern through the Episcopal Service Corp in Baltimore, MD. I thought it would just be a year of my dream job working as a full-time diocesan youth minister and then I would have to find a secular career to follow. Luckily for me, my predecessor and mentor had other plans. After my year of service had concluded I continued to work at the Diocese of Maryland. The first thing diocesan youth leader Wes Wubbenhorst suggested to me was the Forma Certification in Family Ministry. I was unsure of being part of the pioneer class, but he was adamant that it was going to be a fantastic opportunity.
That fall I began taking courses online with a dozen other people who were diverse in a multitude of ways. We emailed about the different videos we watched, the readings we were covering, and the lessons presented to us by our professors. The emails led to a sense of community that transferred to fast friendships when we all met in Chicago for our week-long intensive. That week was spent learning, praying, and singing karaoke together, which solidified our tribe.
Our course material covered basics to complex theologies. Our professors were seasoned and passionate about the work they did. The different levels of experience and opinions gave new perspective to old challenges. I would love to cite a few things that I learned that year for a quick tag line. But I cannot. So much of what we learned over the course of six months is so engrained in my ministry that I honestly cannot separate it out. I am forever grateful to my mentor for giving me a push. Now I have a full ministry toolbox, a tribe of educators and peers to turn to, and a shiny piece of paper on my office wall that says I know what I am doing.
Kate Riley, Baltimore, Maryland
Certificate Program Graduate Highlight: Kate Riley
In June of 2018, I began my job as youth minister at Saint John’s Cathedral
in Denver, CO. I was a recent college grad with a year of experience in
youth ministry. Needless to say, I was looking for guidance on where to
begin in youth ministry at Saint John’s. I kept asking myself, “How
will I build a program? What will I teach? Who will help?” My
supervisor,
Tina Clark, gave me incredible guidance and wisdom, but to learn more, she suggested I apply for the Certificate in Youth Ministry
program, which she had completed in 2017. I expected to learn the
answers to all my questions (which I did), but the mentors focused on a
question I was ignoring:
Why is youth ministry important for church communities?
During the week-long intensive at Camp Allen in Texas, the “why”
of youth ministry became more apparent as I formed relationships with
other participants and program mentors. At the first meeting, we asked
one another, “How did you fall into youth ministry?” Then we told our
own stories about why we were youth ministers. While each story was
different, they all pointed to our desire that youth know that they are
valued and loved by God and that their stories matter.
When I completed the certificate program, I realized that the
“why” question was the most important question for me to explore.
Knowing why youth ministry is important inspired me to figure out the
“what” and the “how.” When I find myself getting caught up in tasks
rather than focusing on the mission, I turn to the team of people in my
certificate program, who remind me of our common goal for the youth of
the Episcopal Church.
Christina Rutland, Youth Minister and Formation Assistant, Saint John’s Cathedral, Denver
Certificate Program Graduate Highlight: Christina Rutland
The Forma Certificate Program is designed for those who are actively engaged in the practice of youth, children’s and/or family ministry and feel called to deepen their own understanding of the practice of that ministry. This hybrid program is designed to provide an overview of core biblical, theological, Episcopal, and practical knowledge that will be applied directly to the ministry in the student’s context. Whether you are a novice or a veteran, the certificate program offers an opportunity to engage with colleagues around the country online and in person throughout your vocation in the church.
Note: For the remainder of 2020, the certificate in children’s and youth ministries program has been put on hiatus. The Episcopal Church Foundation, the Forma Council, the certificate faculty, and the Office of Lifelong Formation will consider options for a 2021 certificate program. Click here for more information.
Lisa Perez, Youth Minister Lisa Perez and Director of Family Ministries Catherine LaGrone of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas are two recent graduates of the certificate program. They share, “The Forma certificate program gave us concrete tools for evaluating and enhancing our current offerings and sparked ideas for new endeavors. One of the greatest benefits of this program was becoming a team with the other lay formation ministers and the faculty. Our relationships have lasted long after the program’s end and our cohort continues to be a place to share ideas and receive feedback. For us, participating in this program as ministry partners has especially heightened the impact for our ministries. We are grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow!”
Meet the Faculty
An
educator for most of her life -- a perspicacious 1st grade teacher had her
coaching others when she was 6 -- Victoria Garvey has a passion for learning
and teaching, and unsurprisingly, for the Church. In her professional career
she has taught at nearly every level from 2nd graders through graduate school,
but she has spent most of that teaching time at one of our seminaries
[Seabury-Western in Evanston, IL] where she taught biblical languages and
biblical theology, her doctoral area. Most recently, those passions for
learning/teaching/Church were fed in her position as Bishop’s Associate for
Lifelong Christian Formation in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago where she even
got paid for doing what she loves. These days, she serves on two faculties for
the wider church, consults with a couple of dioceses concerning congregational
vitality and she continues to speak locally, nationally and occasionally,
internationally, facilitates workshops, leads retreats and in her spare time,
serves the wider church as board member and committee member of several
churchwide commissions and here at home as four-time deputy to General
Convention.
Jenifer serves as Associate Rector and Day School Chaplain at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, where she shares her love for Jesus and invites all people to life in Christ. Mother of two adult children, Jenifer and her husband, Ed, share a home with a feisty West Highland Terrier. She is the author of several book including My Faith, My Life, Call on Me: A Prayer Book for Young People, and Common Prayer for Children in Families. In her free time, she leads evensong at the Washington National Cathedral, reads, and walks city streets in search of friendly dog parks. Meredith is Director of Youth Ministry, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Greensboro, North Carolina. She specializes in building “Volunteer Hearts.” By leading youth through volunteer/leadership programs, she walks with them on their spiritual journey as they create a foundation that finds great joy and peace in serving others, living as Christ lived. Leads annual pilgrimage for both youth and adults, Camino de Santiago, Spain & St. Cuthbert’s Way, Scotland, as well as annual mission trip,Glory Ridge, providing unique experiences to love the gift of the present and to strengthen spiritual formation.While serving others and making work worship. Mother to son Jack (15) and daughter, Grace (13) and to multiple youth members in the EYC program, ranging in age from 10 to 18. Wife of the wonderful J. Scott, married 21 years. Caretaker for two precious Boston Terriers, Bruno and Daisy. Loves to travel, paint, read and spend time with family and friends. She owns MBScott Fine Art, painting in mixed mediums, specializing in angels. She is a life-long learner open to discovery and adventure through spiritual journey and conscious appreciation of God's gift of life. Jamie is a formation consultant currently partnering with Episcopal Relief and Development on the ONE THOUSAND DAYS OF LOVE church-wide campaign which is helping thousands of children reach their God-given potential to learn, grow, and thrive. She facilitates Gathering of Leaders and serves churches throughout the country reviewing and in particularly now, restarting and reimaging formation ministries. Jamie teaches the children and family track of the certificate, has been a fifteen-year supporter of Forma, and served as the president 2015-2017. Previously, she served as the Missioner of Lifelong Christian Formation for the Diocese of Texas 2011-2020. Before joining the diocese, she led the children’s and family ministries at St. Martin’s, Houston and St. Bartholomew’s, New York. In addition to graduating from EfM, Jamie holds a M.S. Ed. from Bank Street College of Education. She lives in Sugar Land, Texas with her husband Rocco and Shi-Poo Frankie, and is stepmom to two amazing millennials. Victoria Garvey
Jenifer Gamber
Meredith Scott
Jamie Martin-Currie
Council Chair
Bronwyn Clark Skov serves as the Officer for Youth Ministries for The Episcopal Church. She is passionate about lay leadership, mentoring young people in their Christian journey, and empowering adults who work with youth. Currently she is the primary coordinator for the triennial Episcopal Youth Event and the General Convention Official Youth Presence. In her spare time she volunteers in her home parish and is an active member of the National Ski Patrol. She works from her rural southern Minnesota home where she lives with her recently retired spouse, a dog, a cat, two goats, and four fish. 