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The Education Direction of the Diocese

In the Diocese of Maryland we support and encourage local congregations to be centers of spiritual nurture and growth for people of all ages.

A collect for education from The Book of Common Prayer

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom: Enlighten by your Holy Spirit those who teach and those who learn that, rejoicing in the knowledge of your truth, they may worship you and serve you from generation to generation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Christian Formation Council

This is the group that works to lead and support our congregations in becoming centers of spiritual nurture and growth. The CFC consists of 10 -12 members of the diocese, plus our Suffragan Bishop, the Missioners for Christian Education and Youth, and the Director of the Diocesan Resource Center.


CFC operates under 3 principles:

• Our work is grounded in the Baptismal call to live our faith. It is the reason for and end of our work.
• Our foundational understanding is that "The Church does not HAVE an education program, it IS one!" (Maria Harris).
• Our purpose is to help the people of God in Maryland do the work of education in a way that forms, informs, and transforms us. (Tom Groome)

The goals of CFC are to:

1. Develop the Diocesan Resource Center.
2. Provide leadership training and support, and facilitate networking.
3. Build a comprehensive approach to Christian formation and education, with special attention to confirmation, faith formation in the home, and adult education.
4. Promote Bible Study and Biblical Storytelling.
5. Raise Awareness of the "Children's Charter for the Church" and encourage its implementation.