Christian education and formation is a life long process for anyone serious about the journey of faith. It is an opportunity for one to go deeper into one’s own life in relationship to God and to engage one’s heart and mind in activities that shape that journey. Below are ways to be involved in Adult Christian Education at Christ Church.
BOOK GROUP
The Book Group meets monthly to discuss books about theology, ethics, social justice, community, racism, comparative religion and other topics. Growing out of one year’s Lenten book study, we’ve explored fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose, autobiography and commentary. Please see the parish calendar for the next book group, usually held Monday night at 6:30 via Zoom, with those who would like to gather at 6:00 for BYO dinner and conversation.
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study and practice. Since its founding in 1975, this international program has assisted more than 120,000 participants in discovering and nurturing their call to Christian service. EfM helps the faithful encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences of the world as they study, worship, and engage in theological reflection together.
The program invites participants into small, mentored groups that provide the framework for understanding life and shaping actions as Christian faith is deepened. EfM seminar groups meet in local settings and online, and provide a four-year curriculum that develops a theologically informed, reflective, and articulate laity.
EPISCOPAL 101
Episcopal 101 is an eight week class on the basics of Christianity from an Anglican perspective. Covering topics including scripture, church history, theology, prayer, and worship, the class provides a primer in the Episcopal Church and prepares adult candidates for baptism, confirmation, reception into the Episcopal Church, and reaffirmation of one’s baptismal vows.
EPISCOPAL 201
Episcopal 201 is a follow up to Episcopal 101 offering a more in depth exploration of themes broadly covered in the earlier class. In addition to the topics outlined above, the class explores spirituality, stewardship, and vocation.
LENTEN SERIES
Every Lent, an opportunity for formation or education is offered on a weekday evening. The topics vary but are engaging and enrich one journey of faith. The program is usually preceded by a simple soup supper.
LET’S TALK ABOUT GOD
Meeting in the Summer and Fall a couple times a month, Let’s Talk About God is an informal conversation group meeting among anyone interested exploring matters of faith. Topics range from the Sunday sermon to social issues and the implications of one’s faith to questions of doctrine and/or theology. The gathering is regularly facilitated by a member of the clergy.
SACRED GROUND
Sacred Ground is a film- and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity.
The 11-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
SUNDAY FORUMS
From time to time a 1-2 session program will be offered on Sunday mornings after worship. Such offerings in the past have included Instruction on the Making of and Use of Prayer Beads, Ukrainian Easter Eggs, and a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.