Events
February 25 – March 25, 2026
Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET
What do we mean when we talk about discipleship in the Episcopal Church today? What happens when the simplicity of following Jesus meets the complexities of today’s world? What are the key components of inviting, forming, and equipping disciples of Jesus in our churches? How can church leadership make discipleship the main thing, rather than “yet another thing”?
Each one-hour session will include a brief presentation from creative thinkers and leaders from across the Church, and time for discussion with participants.
This series is hosted by the Center for Discipleship and Renewal (CEDAR) at Forward Movement, a new initiative made possible through a generous grant from the J.C. Flowers Foundation. CEDAR’s work is focused on creating transformational discipleship resources for the Episcopal Church; sparking conversation on discipleship and church renewal; and becoming a hub of connection for clergy and lay leaders. CEDAR’s work is fully integrated with Forward Movement’s other ministries and resources, and its mission to inspire disciples and empower evangelists.
Click here to learn more about CEDAR and sign up for emails.
February 25, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Thinking Theologically about Discipleship, with Scott MacDougall, Director for Theological Resources, The Episcopal Church Center
Dr. Scott MacDougall serves as Director for Theological Resources for The Episcopal Church. In that role, he is responsible for integrating theological vision into the programs and communications of The Episcopal Church and for developing and facilitating efforts to cultivate theological capacity among Episcopalians, both lay and ordained. Scott holds a doctorate in systematic theology from Fordham University and a master of arts in Anglican theology from The General Theological Seminary in New York, and served most recently on the core doctoral faculty of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, and as associate professor of theology at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, where he taught for a decade. His most recent book is “The Shape of Anglican Theology: Faith Seeking Wisdom” (2022).
This presentation will explore some dimensions of what it means to be a disciple from a theological perspective. It will also suggest how the characteristically Anglican way of thinking theologically can be a tremendous aid in deepening the discipleship of all believers.
March 4, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Discipleship and the Future of Christianity, with Stephanie Spellers, Canon-in-Residence, St. Bartholomew’s Church, NYC
We live in an increasingly post-Christian landscape marked by isolation, secularization and pluralization. That means passionate discipleship to Jesus Christ is more important than ever. Canon Stephanie Spellers helps us to explore the contemporary zeitgeist and then to imagine the kinds of disciples and communities we need to foster in order to follow Jesus faithfully for generations to come.
The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers is the author of Church Tomorrow?: What the ‘Nones’ and ‘Dones’ Teach Us About the Future of Faith. She consults and teaches widely and serves as Canon in Residence at St. Bartholomew’s in New York City. Learn more at www.stephaniespellers.com.
March 11, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Webinar: Celebration of 90 Years of Forward Day by Day, with Bishop Dorothy Sanders Wells
Join us as we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Forward Movement’s flagship publication, Forward Day by Day, with recent contributor Bishop Dorothy Sanders Wells. Bishop Wells will reflect on the importance of prayer for spiritual development and nourishment. Then hear from Forward Movement staff about how individuals and congregations can incorporate Forward Day by Day into their everyday prayer practice this Lent.
March 18, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Risk-Taking and Discipleship, with Nurya Love Parish, Director for Mission and Community Engagement with the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes
The Rev. Canon Nurya Love Parish serves as Director for Mission and Community Engagement in the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. Prior to her current call, she served as Founding Executive Director of Plainsong Farm & Ministry, an agency of the Episcopal Church with a mission to cultivate connections between people, places and God as a center for Christian discipleship and environmental education.
In this presentation, she will reflect on the initial steps of that journey as part of her life of discipleship, which involved risk to her well-being, marriage, career, and possessions. She will also share how Christ equipped her to meet that call, even when the church did not, how she found strength by accepting weakness, and key insights she gained into discipleship in that season of her ministry.
March 25, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Discipleship from a Global Perspective, with Ranjit Mathews, Canon to the Ordinary and Chief of Staff, The Episcopal Church in Connecticut
The Reverend Canon Ranjit K. Mathews has been Canon to the Ordinary on the Bishop’s staff in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut since October 2023. His prior positions include Canon for Mission Advocacy, Racial Justice and Reconciliation in ECC; Partnership Officer for Africa on the Presiding Bishop’s staff of The Episcopal Church, and diplomat from The Episcopal Church and the Presiding Bishop to Anglican Provinces and dioceses in Africa south of the Sahara, where he worked towards mutual mission priorities amongst Anglican/Episcopal partners in the region. He is currently a member of the interim Task Force on the Anglican Communion and Countering the Colonial Mindset; a board member of Episcopal Relief and Development, and the Vice chair of the Episcopal Evangelism Society. He also serves as clergy representative on The Episcopal Church’s delegation to the Anglican Consultative Council.
In this presentation, Canon Ranjit will reflect on what discipleship has meant to him over the number of international ministry settings that he has worked, and how those realities constantly invite him into a posture of humility and recalibration. He will also share how discipleship is a constant invitation for his own ongoing conversion into who God is calling him to be.
More events to be announced soon! Check back with us regularly.