Article from Stone-by-Stone

Adult Formation (August-September)

Michael Rich

As summer is drawing to a close and fall comes quickly, it is time to turn our thoughts toward spiritual growth and ongoing formation for children of all ages. Children's and Youth Sunday School will be springing back to life as the new school year begins. This fall we will begin a program of adult education and formation.

Sunday Evening Outing, August 2nd in the afternoon/evening. We will have a special outing to St. John's-Cartoogechaye in Macon County. The church is one of the older parishes in the diocese with a rich history. It has a wonderful cemetery that is home to priests, politicians and an Indian Chief, a prayer labyrinth, and an outdoor chapel. We will tour the church grounds, celebrate Evening Prayer, picnic and return home.

Saturday, August 29th- A Morning of Prayer-9AM -12 Noon

We will begin with Morning Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer at 9 AM followed by teaching structured around the practice of prayer in daily life. Through the course of the morning we will experience a number of prayer forms, and complete the morning with reflections and petitions for all who are involved in education and formation in our congregation.

The morning is designed to be casual and comfortable. If you can't be there for the whole morning, plan to come for a part. Morning Prayer will begin promptly at 9 AM in the sanctuary, and the closing time of petitions and prayers will begin promptly at 11:30 AM in the sanctuary. The rest of the morning will be in the undercroft. Come join us!

Sunday Morning Adult Formation beginning September 6th (9:30-10:10 AM)

Every season of the Christian Year will pick up a new theme or emphasis. From September through Christ the King Sunday, the theme is: Living a Blessed Life.

The book which will be the background for our teaching and discussions will be:
A Blessed Life: Benedictine Guidelines for Those Who Long for Good Days.
Author: Wil Derkse Publisher: Liturgical Press.
(Available from Amazon.com, The Episcopal Bookstore, can be ordered from local bookstores from $6-12 dollars + shipping)

During the season we will take a break on a few Sundays for special studies/discussions (Feast of St. Andrew, Feast of St. Francis, All Saints)

This particular season will be designed where each Sunday's discussion will be self-contained, though each Sunday will build toward the seasonal theme. You will be able to keep up with suggested readings and page numbers in the weekly bulletin or on the church website (standrewscanton.org).

For more information about Adult Formation opportunities, contact:

Michael Rich

hmichaelrich@gmail.com

316-7442