Committee on Life Long Christian Formation

Wondering about that phrase 'life long formation' and what it means? Learning and education don't stop after Sunday School and youth groups. Our committee works hard to ensure that every church and every person in the Diocese of New Jersey has good, timely, quick information and up-to-date resources for education for all ages.

You'll find lots of resources here to assist you in educational initiatives for every age in your parish. You'll find resources for learning on your own. And you'll see seminars and workshops offered through the Ministry Institute, where you can join others interested in similar topics.

Would you like to know more? Contact Susan T. Legnani <legnani3@comcast.net> the chair of the committee. She'll be able to assist you with just about any question in the area of Christian formation.

Our mission
To create and support educational, spiritual, and vocational programs throughout the diocese for children, youth, and lay adults and clergy in order to equip the people of God for ministry.

The committee sponsors diocesan Christian Formation events and supports workshop days sponsored by Christian Education Associates and the Ecumenical Training Associates. At these conferences, Commission members serve as sponsors and presenters.

The committee also represents the Diocese of New Jersey in the Province II Christian Education Network.

What we can do for you

Your Resource Library: in person
Located on the third floor of Diocesan House at 808 West State Street, Trenton, you'll find resources that include curriculum for children, youth, and adults, as well as books and pamphlets for all aspects of parish ministry.

You can browse the materials during office hours at Diocesan House. If you're a clergy person or a parishioner in the diocese, you may borrow material for a period of thirty days.

Your Resource Library: online
We've made available the inventory of our library online, so you can search right from your desk and see if we have what you need. Type in the resource you are looking for and see if it’s among our collection. If you want to browse the entire collection, you can type * (an asterisk) in a search field to get a list of all the items in the library. Click here to search the Resource Library online.

Your Audio-Video library: through the mail, for free
The Snyder AVRL (Audio-Visual Resource Center): A free resource to every church in Diocese of New Jersey. Click on the link provided to see more than 2000 video and DVD resources for children, youth and adults. They cover the areas such as Bible Study, sacramental preparation, confirmation, current church issues, stewardship, youth programs, and much more. You can order material and have it sent to your church or home. Then return it with the postage that is provided with the material you order.

Online resources
Just a click away you'll find a host of resources.

Beulah Enterprises: Christian toys, Beulah Land felt figures, the Jesus doll, books and more.

Candle Press: Helen Barton provides an unique variety of materials for church seasons, baptism, confirmation, and family celebrations.

Children at Worship, Congregations in Bloom: A resource for including children in worship in a meaningful way.

Church Publishing: Episcopal congregational resources.

Congregational Resource Guide: A listing of major Christian education publishers

Diocese of Connecticut: This website provides good reviews of the most widely used curriculum for children and youth in the Episcopal church.

Godly Play Resources: The official website for Godly Play.

Leader Resources: Providers of Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood and well as many other Christian Formation curriculum.

Lesson Plans for Small Congregations: Free, weekly, lectionary-based lessons for children, youth and adults designed for small Episcopal congregations.

Treehaus Communications: A good source of material for those who use Catechesis of the Good Shepherd or Godly Play.