Summer Break

Adult Formation will take a break at Saint Andrew's for the summer.

We will resume with weekly meetings around September 1.

Stay tuned for a couple of summer special sessions.

End of Lent- Season of Easter

Adult Formation will close out the Lenten Season with a discussion of Holy Week Themes.

We will not meet on Easter Sunday

We will begin a new session for the Season of Easter--

The "Non-Dirty" pages of the Book of Common Prayer

We will be looking at those parts of the BCP that rarely get turned to.

Transforming Congregations

January 24

Week 2- end of Chapter 1 & Chapter 2

Whitewater Conditions

• Mission Congregations (characteristics of a mission focused congregation)
• Parker Palmer's Theology of Hope
• Whitewater conditions (will carry over to week 3)

January 17

Week 1- Chapter 1

Shall We gather at the River?

• Discussed Baptismal Theology
• Discussed briefly the Mission of the Church
• Discussed issues that have resulted in lack of growth in the Episcopal Church (and other mainline denominations

Season after the Epiphany

January 17- February 14

During the Season after The Epiphany, we will be reading Transforming Congregations by James Lemler. This goes along with theme of the season--the mission and outreach of Jesus and the Apostles.

Here is a quick review:

How can our patterns of congregational life and mission renew themselves and adjust to changing culture without selling out what Episcopalians stand for? How can local faith communities stay resilient and hopeful? What styles and practices of spirituality do most to enrich our mission?

These are some of the questions James Lemler poses in Transforming Congregations on mission for clergy and congregational discussion. As with evangelism, there is both good and bad news about Episcopalians and mission. Lemler also provides a variety of models for moving forward in mission and hope, to a more abundant future.

The book is available from the Episcopal Bookstore and from Amazon.com (and can be ordered from a local bookseller as well).

January 10- Baptism of Our Lord

Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Advent/Christmas Readings

December 27- No Adult Formation

January 3- 2nd Sunday after Christmas

Jeremiah 31:7-14
Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a
Matthew 2:13-15,19-23
or Luke 2:41-52
or Matthew 2:1-12
Psalm 84 or 84:1-8

+ + +

November 29- Discussion of Saint Andrew

Here are a couple of links to whet your appetite:

St. Andrew (Mission St. Clare)

St. Andrew on Scotland.org

St. Andrew on Catholic.org

December 6- 2nd Sunday of Advent

Baruch 5:1-9
or Malachi 3:1-4
Canticle 4 or 16
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6

December 13- 3rd Sunday of Advent

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Canticle 9
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18

December 20- 4th Sunday of Advent

Micah 5:2-5a
Canticle 3 or 15
or Psalm 80:1-7
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

November Notes

November 1- Feast of All Saints

Discussion about the High Holy Day

Questions:

Who are your saints?

How are they still in your presence?

How do we honor them on a daily basis?

November 8- Hospitality

Questions:

How accepting are you of the "stranger"?

What are the limits of hospitality?

How can we be more hospitable as individuals? As a church?

November 15- A Life of Stewardship

A discussion of stewardship (more than just money-do not be afraid) led by Sally Gamewell.

November 22- Closing week of the theme

Tying up loose ends

November 29- First Sunday of Advent

We will discuss Saint Andrew since it falls near the Feast Day

October Notes

October 4- Feast of St. Francis

Deacon Ray Escott will share with us about St. Francis and the Order of St. Francis

Read more about the Third Order of St. Francis

Some readings on St. Francis

October 11- Humility/Service

(Chapter 3- pp. 30-50)
Questions:

What is Christian humility/service?

What are the 12 signposts on the way of humility?
What does it matter?

October 18- Dedication to Daily Work

(Chapter 4- pp. 51-64)

Questions:

What is your work?

Is your work a necessary evil or necessary good?

Is your work a blessing to you/others?

October 25-Daily Study

(Chapter 5- pp. 65-73)
Questions:

Are you a continuous student?

What is LECTIO?

What are barriers in your life to faithful study?