Continuing Education for Lay and Clergy Leaders The Iona Collaborative has announced its Fall 2026 Continuing Education offerings. Because the Diocese of Olympia is a member of the Iona Collaborative, clergy and lay leaders in our dioceseare eligible to participate at the reduced member rate of $25 per course! Beyond Crisis and Grief Care: Group Formation as Community – Explore how small groups can foster belonging, purpose, hope, and Christian community. This course examines the dynamics of group formation and practical strategies for cultivating healthy, mission-oriented communities. Classic and Postcolonial Images of Spiritual Care – Reflect on your ministry through a variety of pastoral care models and metaphors, from traditional approaches to postcolonial perspectives. Participants will engage case studies and deepen their understanding of spiritual care in diverse contexts. Identity-Shaping Images of the Diaconate (Vocational Deacons Only) – Consider four key images of diaconal ministry – servant, bridge, door, and interpreter – and explore how these metaphors shape the deacon’s vocation of connecting church and world. Life in Full Color – Learn a long-tested practice of Christian discernment that helps participants connect Scripture with daily life, decision-making, leadership, and spiritual growth. Ideal for those seeking a deeper integration of faith and everyday living. Nuts & Bolts of Small Church Ministry – Designed for those serving in primary leadership roles in small congregations, this cohort combines practical parish administration, liturgical planning, stewardship, and pastoral leadership with support from peers facing similar challenges. Reading & Preaching Acts as the Mission of God – Explore the Acts of the Apostles through the lens of God’s mission in the world and develop fresh approaches to preaching Acts in the coming lectionary cycle. Tending the Inner Life of the Leader: Cultivating Presence, Resilience, and Renewal in Ministry – An eight-week journey focused on spiritual renewal, contemplative practice, resilience, and sustaining a healthy inner life amid the demands of ministry leadership. Registration for all courses opens August 4, 2026. For full course descriptions, schedules, and registration information, visit the Iona Collaborative website here. For any questions about the Iona Collaborative or our Iona School in the Diocese of Olympia, please contact our local Dean, The Rev. Courtney Jones. | 
