The annual diocesan Ministry Discernment Conference is widening its embrace in 2025 to include anyone looking for resources for discerning God's call in their life.
The conference, jointly hosted in past years by the diocesan Commission on Ministry and bishops, has always been open to all, but has focused primarily on discernment toward ordained ministry and has been a requirement for those considering application to the ordination process that year.
In 2025, all who are interested in discerning calls to ministry in the church and in the world, both lay and ordained, are warmly invited.
And, as always, those who want to learn about the ordination process in the Diocese of Massachusetts are especially encouraged to attend, along with their sponsoring clergy, potential parish discernment committee members and family members.
The conference takes place at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston on Saturday, Feb. 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Registration is open through Jan. 29 here.
"This has been something that's been on our heart at the Commission on Ministry for several years, and we're just delighted to be able to expand the focus of this conversation to discernment of all kinds," Commission on Ministry co-chair Graeme Mills, of the Church of the Redeemer in Chestnut Hill, said during a recent conversation with Commission on Ministry members via Zoom.
"Our hope is that this is one step in a much longer process," added the Rev. Richard Burden of All Saints Parish in Brookline. "This is something we hope to iterate over the course of the next several years as we figure out ways that work best for everyone to do discernment towards vocation, whatever that vocation is."
For 2025, the commission is teaming up with the St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer to enhance the conference's offerings for those interested in exploring lay vocations.
The St. Paul Center is a recently established partnership between the diocese and Cathedral Church of St. Paul to "make disciples" by equipping local congregations for faith formation, prayer life and teaching and learning. It is "housed" at the cathedral church, with regional centers at St. Paul's Church in Newburyport and St. Thomas's Church in Taunton alongside its online presence.
"I am often in conversation with lay people who want their work, community life and worship all to cohere and be rooted in their Christian faith and values and who have questions about how to do that," the Very Rev. Amy McCreath, Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, said. "We live in a time when there is so much need, and just as urgent is the need for people to be supported and resourced to discern how and where they can latch hold and find ways to offer themselves and their gifts. We hope the conversations, stories and resources shared will help those present at the conference begin to be on that journey."
The conference will feature Bishop Julia E. Whitworth’s reflections on discernment, a panel discussion with people serving in a variety of Christian vocations and an introduction to resources for individual reflection, communal discernment in congregations and churchwide discernment programs. Participants will also have time to gather in small groups to learn more about the programs that most interest them.
"Our hope and prayer is that the people who come receive affirmation in their discernment and leave feeling well-fed with resources to continue that discernment work knowing who is available to help be a part of that process alongside them," Canon for Ordained Vocations Edie Dolnikowski said. "They'll have the opportunity to hear from people who are currently exercising all kinds of Christian vocations and reflect on where God may be calling them to be."