Date: October 8, 2021
Several African proverbs are loosely translated, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This undeniable fact is true for us in the church. The formation of children is not to be relegated to staff professionals or expected of parents alone. Laity, priests, and even scholars are entrusted with the formation of children in all that we do. Let us take up this mantle of responsibility that is a gift to us and the church.
The Symposium on the Spirituality of Children is an exciting new event from our Lifelong Learning team. This online symposium October 21-22 is focused on the latest research in the field of Children’s Spirituality. The keynote will be delivered by Jerome Berryman and will have presentations by esteemed scholars including Amy Chapman, Dave Csinos, Catherine Maresca, Henry Zonio, and Karen-Marie Yust. On the second day a panel responding to Dr. Berryman’s keynote will include two graduates of VTS, Sarah Bentley Allred (’19) and Matthew Kozlowski (‘11), as well as Lakisha Lockhart and Ebony Grisom. Topics will vary, ranging from Constructing Gender in Children’s Sunday School to A Multilayered Interpretation of Children’s Theological Meaning-Making. Participants will even have time to reflect in smaller groups with gifted facilitators, some scholars and some practitioners of Children’s Spirituality.
Readers will remember our announcement early this year of the endowed Berryman Family Chair for Children’s Spirituality and Nurture, but we are not waiting for that new faculty member to continue our commitment to the field of Christian education and formation. Click here to learn more and sign up.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President