On Tuesday, January 17th, nearly three hundred Christian formation professionals from across the country will be on the VTS campus participating in the first day of the annual Forma Conference. Forma, which began as the National Association for Episcopal Christian Education Directors, is a Network for Christian Formation for the Episcopal Church and beyond. In 2022, Forma became a ministry of Lifelong Learning. The annual conference began in 1997 and serves as a rich opportunity for learning, networking, inspiration, and mentoring.

This year’s conference will begin at VTS on January 17th with pre-conference workshops, an opening plenary, opening worship, and a reception. Note that there may be additional vehicles parked on campus starting at 9:00AM, although the majority of participants will be arriving by bus between 3:00-4:00PM on Tuesday. The conference will continue at The Westin in Old Town on January 18th & January 19th. Many portions of the conference will be available online and online registration is still open! The theme, “Called to Covenant,” will invite participants to explore the call of Micah 6:8, to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” Speakers include Bishop Deon Johnson, Heidi J. Kim, Julia Ayala Harris, and Rev. Edwin Johnson. Learn more on the Forma website.

The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President of Virginia Theological Seminary and President of General Theological Seminary