<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The European Institute of Christian Studies</b> of the <b>Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe</b> announces a training weekend for the laity on June 1 – 3 at the Schloss Furstenried in
Munich.<span> </span>This event of the <b>Academy for
Parish Leadership</b> (APL) is the third in a series following upon the success of
the Stewardship weekend that took place last May.<span> </span>The theme of the APL3 weekend is
“<b>Implementing the Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation in the
Convocation</b>”.<span> A</span>t the
last Convocation Convention in Florence in October 2011, the resolution was passed that endorsed the Charter
in the Convocation following upon similar resolutions that were passed in many
dioceses of the Church.<span> </span>Thanks to the
suggestion and preparation of Dr. Rosemarie Valentine, it was presented and
ultimately passed.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">We are happy and excited that Ruth-Ann Collins will lead the
weekend.<span> </span>She is the Officer for Lifelong
Christian Formation (LLCF) for the Episcopal Church.<span> </span>Additionally she is Liaison to General
Convention for the same.<span> </span>It is her job
to travel to the dioceses to provide this formation and I’m happy that she can
travel to Europe to be with us.<span> </span>The weekend
will begin with dinner (5 pm registration) on Friday June 1<sup>st</sup> and
end with Sunday Eucharist at the Schloss on Sunday.<span> </span>Additionally, for those that can attend,
Ruth-Ann will lead an additional session on Sunday after lunch on recruiting,
motivating, and retaining lay leaders for Formation in your parish.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">As was the case last year, our leader this year is making
herself available after the weekend to visit the parishes that invite her, in
order to meet with a larger circle at the parish or to lead a more tailored
formation for your parish.<span> </span>Last year
several parishes took advantage of this offer with great success.<span> </span>We ask that you fund her transportation and
housing during her stay among you (home invitations are welcome).<span> </span>Ruth-Ann is staying with us for the week
after the Schloss weekend in order to be with you.<span> </span>This is a tremendous opportunity for us and
an acknowledgement that the Convocation is important to the Church. I hope that your parish will take advantage of this offer.<br></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">We invite three lay formation leaders (current, future, potential, or interested) from each parish and
two from each mission to attend with all reasonable transportation costs and room and board paid by the Convocation.<span> Council of Advice lay members will be invited in that group.</span></p><br>The training weekend is directed at current and future lay leaders in formation – for all ages in the congregation.<span> </span>Registration closes by May 1<sup>st</sup>
when the Schloss liberates the unassigned rooms. A more detailled description of the weekend will be sent to interested parties in due course. <b>The cost of the weekend is funded by the Convocation for designated persons sent by the parishes and missions of the Convocation. However, friends of the Convocation from other churches are heartily invited to attend on a self-pay basis and depending on room availability at the Schloss.</b><br>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Schloss Furstenried is a very lovely venue for the weekend.<span> </span>It is a former castle of King Otto of Bavaria
now run by the Roman Catholic Church.<span>
</span>The grounds are beautiful and wonderful for contemplation and
fellowship.<span> </span>The retreat center is
beautifully integrated with the beautiful grounds that surround it with glass
corridors, and a ratskellar for evening socializing.<span> </span>All rooms have en suite baths and the food is
good. We love it and it receives consistently good reviews from former weekend
attendees. It''s the reason why we've gone back to it.<br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><b>If you are interested in Christian Formation, please contact your Priest-in-Charge of the Convocation about attending this exciting weekend.</b><br><br><p class="MsoNormal">I am happy that Dr. Rosemarie Valentine is Conference
Coordinator for this event.<span> </span>She will be
in communication registrants in due course about the weekend. <b>For any questions about the weekend you can email Rosemarie at <a href="mailto:docval224@gmail.com" target="_blank">docval224@gmail.com</a>. </b><br></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I thank you in advance for supporting this important event.<br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best regards,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lora Bernabei, Chair</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">European Institute of Christian Studies</p>Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe