Spring Learning Event: Claiming Discipleship 

Join us for the Spring Learning Event, Saturday March 6th,

9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location has been changed to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston 

 Living into our Baptismal Covenant

As Episcopalians, we pledge to follow Christ, and keep repeating that pledge at every baptism when we say together The Baptismal Covenant on page 304 of The Book of Common Prayer.  Candidates are asked to renounce their sins and turn to Christ.  That “turning to Christ” is what it means to be a Christian, a disciple if you will.  In our Baptismal Covenant, we also agree to follow certain practices and join with a community of believers in living out this faith.

How do we “turn to Christ” in our lives?  In our parishes?  And how do we teach and encourage fellow parishioners in their own journeys as they follow Jesus?

This year's Spring Learning Event - Claiming Discipleship - will help us explore the basics of faith in our congregational life.  In the morning we have a special presentation by the Rev. Chip Stokes, Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Delray Beach, FL (see bio below) on understanding the evolving stages of faithlife and how our churches can best meet the needs of both long-time church goers and newcomers alike.  Research, best practices, and foundational principles all meet in this morning of speakers, panels, local congregational models, and networking opportunities.  After lunch, participants have their choice of workshops, and then the entire community meets together for a closing time with Bishop Tom Shaw.

Please register below. 

Registration closes on Tuesday, March 1. 

 PLEASE NOTE:  Only 1 person can be registered at a time.  This site does not allow for group registrations.  Please make note of this and encourage individuals to register separately.

 Lunch Options:

(You may pick one of these box lunch options for $10.00, or bring your own lunch)

• Turkey Sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie and drink
• Roast Beef sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie and drink
• Vegetarian option, chips, fruit, cookie and drink

Childcare option:

Childcare is available for children ages 2 - 10 years old, and will be held onsite.  There is a $10.00 fee for the childcare.  Parents will be contacted by email with extra information.  CHILDCARE MUST BE REGISTERED FOR IN ADVANCE.  We cannot accommodate walk-ins. 

Parking:

Parking is available at the Boston Common Garage or One Beacon Garage. Visit the Cathedral's website for information and directions: http://www.stpaulboston.org/maps.asp

For payment:  Please note that you can pay by check or by credit card using Paypal.  You must finish the transaction in Paypal once you start it in order to receive your confirmation email.  STAFF must use the "Check" option for payment.

Special Presenter:  The Rev. Chip Stokes

The Reverend William H. (Chip) Stokes is the Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Delray Beach, Florida, a position he has held since January of 1999.  From 1995 to 1998, he was the Associate for Christian Education at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida.  Prior to this, he served as the School Chaplain and Curate to Grace Episcopal Church and Day School in Massapequa, Long Island, serving there for four years.

Stokes graduated from the General Theological Seminary in New York, receiving both the Bishop of Newark Preaching Prize and the Seymour Prize for Best Extemporaneous Preaching.

A recognized preacher and Christian educator, he has led workshops and conferences on Christian education and faith formation for children, youth and adults around the nation including two "From Chaos to Creativity" conferences in Indianapolis and Los Angeles.  Stokes has been a participant in a variety of conferences and events with the Youth & Family Institute, located in Bloomington, Minnesota.

He has been active in the area of anti-racism, is a certified trainer in multi-culturalism and anti-racism and is a member of the Committee on Anti-Racism for the Episcopal Church.  Stokes has been an alternate deputy and deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.  He serves as a member of the Commission on Anti-Racism for the Diocese of Southeast Florida; the Task Force on Multiculturalism, the Clergy Continuing Education Committee, and is on the Board of Episcopal Charities of Southeast Florida.  He has also served on the Executive Council of the Diocese of Southeast Florida and as Dean of the South Palm Beach Deanery.

An active leader in his community, Stokes has served on the Board of Toward a More Perfect Union and the Village Foundation of Delray Beach.  He is part of the Community Food Pantry Advisory Board and was a member of the Mayor's R.A.C.E Matters Committee. He is immediate past-president of the Delray Beach Clergy Association. He and his wife Susan have been married for 31 years.  They have four grown children, one granddaughter and another grandchild on the way.