IONA School of Formation
The Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma’s Iona School of Formation is a part of the larger Iona Collaborative. As of summer of 2020, the Iona Collaborative includes 29 dioceses that have joined to share resources and develop programs for the education and formation of deacons and priests in The Episcopal Church. The Iona School of Formation is a three-year education and formation program that includes academic work, dedicated fieldwork and a final paper. The Seminary of the Southwest, in Austin, TX serves as the institutional home of the Iona Initiative and, in conjunction with each diocesan Bishop, is responsible for certifying that each student has satisfactorily completed the academic requirements.
Students who attend the Iona School of Formation commit to one weekend a month, 10 months a year for 3 years—a total of 30 weekends—where they participate in worship, learning, teaching, preaching, and fellowship. Academic sessions include Scripture, Church History, Theology, and Christian Ethics. Practical sessions cover liturgy, racial reconciliation, music, spirituality, leadership, pastoral care, communication, preaching, Christian formation, and more. Many students say the most important part of Iona is helping to create and sustain a loving faith community.
As of 2020, we have graduated 26 students from the Oklahoma Iona School of Formation, almost all of whom are serving congregations throughout our Diocese.
If you have any questions, or would like to know more about our IONA School of Formation, please contact Kate Carney Bond at kbond@epiok.org