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CGS in the Episcopal Tradition

“Deep formation is that getting down into the soul and that’s what you are talking about… guiding a soul to a place of depth, of deep wisdom, of deep trust. That’s where God gets discovered.”

—Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

“To be formed in the way of love… which is the way I understand Catechesis (of the Good Shepherd).” 

– Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves 

“Formation is one of the keys of the Kingdom.”

 

– Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves

CGS in the Episcopal Church

 

In 1985, a great surge of interest in the Catechesis began among members of the Episcopal Church. The ecumenical appeal and spread of the Catechesis pleased Cavalletti, who had a commitment to ecumenism and served as a member of the Ecumenical Commission for the Diocese of Rome. In 1997, she gathered catechists from around the world for retreat in Assisi, Italy. The theme was “The Word, The Eucharist and the Child.”  Retreat, attended by Roman Catholic and Episcopal catechists alike, surfaced a deep longing for unity, and a shared hope that the Catechesis might hasten its realization.

For over 35 years, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd has been growing in the Episcopal Church around the country. There has been a constant Episcopal presence on the Board of Trustees and the Episcopal Committee, the CGSUSA staff and represented in the International Council.  We also now regularly attend the Episcopal General Convention and the FORMA Conference.

 

Episcopal Resources

 

 A LIVING SIGN OF COVENANT – 2002 Journal Article by Bishop Frank Griswold

WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOGETHER  – 2002 Journal Article by Tina Lillig

OFFERING THE CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD TO CHILDREN IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH – Theology of Worship Paper by Carol Nyberg Caraviotis

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Welcome to CGSUSA

We believe God and the child have a unique relationship with one another. Children need their own place to foster the growth of that relationship. The growth of this relationship is assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child.

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What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was born from the joy of the children’s encounter with God. It has been observed that children of the same developmental stage, even those from widely varying cultural backgrounds, respond to elements of the Christian message in the same way.

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In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd adults are given the opportunity to embrace a method of catechesis (or religious education) that will deepen one’s relationship with God. Catechist formation in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is both instructive as well as experiential. It captivates both the head as well as the heart.

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We read in the Gospel of Mark that Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs, two by two; the journey was not meant to be a solitary one. It is essential for us as catechists to support one another as we prepare materials, work in the atrium, and observe the child. We come together in unity, as members of CGSUSA, to share the joy of this work.

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Through their joy, their wonder and awe, their capacity for love and prayer, and their radical simplicity, children offer us adults a glimpse of what it means to fall in love with God. This has been the work of CGSUSA for over 30 years: to advocate for the child’s joy.

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