Adult Education
Lectionary Bible Study
Our Lectionary Bible Study series is held periodically throughout the year. The focus is usually on the Sunday readings from one book; and, viewed over the course of a number of weeks, provides us with a clearer picture of the readings' larger message. This helps us arrive at a deeper understanding of the scripture and what it means for our daily lives. The study group is led by Larry Sibley and meets in the library after church.
Book Studies - Learning in Faith Together
Reading a book can be helpful in living our lives. Reading a book along with others in a book study amplifies the pleasure and concentrates the time and effort needed in our busy lives to make the experience more worthwhile. Come talk to others about what you have read in a safe, respectful setting; hear others’ responses; enlarge your thinking; understand more; realize different points of view other than your own; maintain contact with a small community of folks who share this experience. It all makes the book come to life. Try it and see for yourself.
Learning in Faith Together (LIFT) meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Good Shepherd room. We just finished “Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times” by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. We are now taking a short break, and will resume meeting on Tuesday September 19, when we begin "The Book of Forgiving: the Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World" by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Reverend Mpho Tutu. Anyone is welcome to join us as we begin the new book. Sue Gordon is going to order books for us, so if you'd like one, contact her at gsgordon115@comcast.net.
Parish Forum
The Sunday Forum is held periodically and features learning and discussion led by visiting speakers or parishioners on topics ranging from spiritual growth and parish identity to issues and outreach. The forum time will allow folks to gather in the parish hall for coffee and conversation following the 10 a.m. liturgy. Then at 11:30, participants can decide if they would like to attend the forum in the parish hall or continue their coffee and conversation in the library.
There will be four forums this Fall. Sessions typically start at 11:30 a.m. after fellowship in the Parish Hall.
September 17: Break the Ice Sunday. Fun things to bring us together and a Pie Making Kitchen Party.
September 24: Parishioner Peter Gottemoller with Bethany Christian Services will discuss immigration and refugee location scenarios .We’ll be looking at possible solutions considering the directions of the political climate.
October 1: Creation Sunday returns! Many have asked if this is coming back. It’s been 4 years since the original “Creation Sensation”. Parishioner Bill Roth will be with us as we perform The Cosmic Walk.
October 8: Four days after the Feast of St. Francis, Rick Pearce, our resident Franciscan Brother, will lead the forum, as well as speak from the pulpit during the service.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
If you want to deepen your faith with a lively group of fellow seekers, please consider joining parishioners from local parishes in the Education for Ministry (EFM) Program. This is a four-year certificate program sponsored by Sewanee University. Year One is a study of the Hebrew Scriptures; Year Two, the New Testament; Year Three, Christian Church History, and, Year Four various Topics in Theology. Classes meet each Monday evening from 6:45 to 9:15 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 8000 St. Martin’s Lane in Chestnut Hill, with appropriate breaks during various holidays. The tuition cost is $325 per year and financial aid is available. The program and the committed community of fellow students, encourage independent thought and critical thinking. If interested or have any questions, please call Jim Rowley at 215.837.7790 or email at jrowley916@gmail.com. The first class will begin meeting on September 18th.
Here’s the link to the official EfM website: https://efm.sewanee.edu.