By Karen Spoelstra
Join us in congratulating these amazing eight people who have completed our Diocesan Lay formation programme Stratum this year. They are church wardens, preachers, office administrators, community workers and children’s ministry volunteers who have come from all around the diocese (Takapuna, Northcote, Remuera, Epsom, Glen Innes, Bucklands Beach, NorthWest and Huapai) to deepen their understanding of themselves in relationship to God and others. This formation journey has involved three weekend retreats and five dinners together.
They have had the courage to be open and vulnerable with each other and with God, and it has borne fruit this year and will continue to do so. At the end of the programme one member said, “For some time I had a desire to do something more intentional to develop my faith in God, Stratum certainly filled that desire and has renewed my spiritual growth and God’s call on my life.” Another member said they felt Stratum helped them, “drill through the sediment of religion to find themselves and their community.” And another said, “It felt like being fed at a banquet.” My thanks to my wonderful co-leader David Crawley who has been a joy to work with. We will be offering Stratum again in 2025, come and chat to me to find out more. Brochures with 2025 dates will be out soon.
