Adult Formation- St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

Fall Schedule

2011-08-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

We will begin Adult Formation again on Sunday mornings on September 11th at 9:30 AM in the Parish Building. We will be studying A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson until the beginning of Advent.

The book can be purchased from Amazon.com for as little as a couple of dollars + shipping. It is possible to order it from a local bookstore as well.

A brief description:
As a society, we are no less obsessed with the immediate than when Eugene Peterson first wrote this Christian classic. If anything, email and the Internet may have intensified our quest for the quick fix. But Peterson's time-tested prescription for discipleship remains the same--a long obedience in the same direction. Tucked away in the Hebrew Psalter, Peterson discovered "an old dog-eared songbook," the Songs of Ascents that were sung by pilgrims on their way up to worship in Jerusalem. In these songs (Psalms 120-134) Peterson finds encouragement for modern pilgrims as we learn to grow in worship, service, joy, work, happiness, humility, community and blessing. This 20th anniversary edition of A Long Obedience in the Same Direction features these Psalms in Peterson's widely acclaimed paraphrase, The Message. He also includes an epilogue in which he reflects on the themes of this book and his ministry during the twenty years since its original publication.

Looking toward the Fall

2011-08-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

.
Just an update about what we have been doing since Lent.

The Easter Season through Pentecost we spent some time looking at other religions in our midst, mostly Judaism and Islam. We discussed our relationship tp them historically, looked at some of their scriptures, and how they work in the modern world. As you can imagine, the discussions always went longer than we had time for. We closed out the season with some discussions about Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and other groups that we encounter regularly.

We have taken July off and we are planning to come back in full force on September 11th for the Fall Term. Look for another announcement soon regarding the topic until Advent.

Also:

ADULT FORMATION COOKOUT

Anybody who has ever attended Adult Formation on Sunday mornings, or is the least bit interested in attending, is invited to a cookout on August 28th at Carole Talman's home in the evening at 5 PM. In case of inclement weather, we will meet at St. Andrew's.

We are planning to have hamburgers and hot dogs, and everyone attending will bring some kind of dish to go along with the meal.

Let me know you are coming--
Michael Rich
hmichaelrich@gmail.com
(828) 316-7442

Season of Lent 2011

2011-03-12T16:30:00.000-08:00

We will be using the Anti-Racism training manual from the Episcopal Church during the season of Lent this year.

The manual is meant to be used in a 12-14 hour training session, and we will not have the opportunity to do that during Adult Formation time. But we will be able to use some of the exercises, discussion points, and use it as a jumping off place for discussing racism in the church and in our community.

All of this discussion will prepare us for the Presiding Bishop's visit to the Diocese in April.

Download your own copy of the study guide.

Season after Epiphany Study

2011-01-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

We will be discussing the concept of being a missional, relational, and incarnational church using study guides from the Leonard Sweet book- So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church.

The study guides can be found at the book's website at David C. Cook Publishing...Explore So Beautiful

Some questions we might be asking in the coming weeks:

1) Had an MRI lately?
2) What are the four forces that can kill a church?
3) How have we as a church dealt with the five biggest stories of the last 50 years?
4) What does it mean to be Missional?

You can see where we are going. It is the season of Christ's revelation to the whole world, how are we living it in WNC?

Advent is Coming

2010-11-03T10:53:00.000-07:00

We will finish our discussions of faithful dying by Christ the King Sunday. We will begin a study of the Lectionary texts of the Advent season on November 28th.

Plan to join us as we prepare the way for the Lord.

Faithful Dying

2010-11-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

We have been studying since September 2010 the whole concept of living faithfully until the end of our lives.

We have been using resources such as the Book of Common Prayer, the Saint Andrew's Customary and other planning resources available in the parish.

Here are some examples of our discussions on Sunday morning:

What is the nature of an Episcopal funeral?
What are the practical considerations of preparing for a funeral?
What are the burial alternatives available to us?
What about living wills and the will?
How can we discuss this with family?
What about cremation? Natural burial?

These have been broad, fruitful discussions and there are lots of folks in the room that have first hand knowledge and skills for dealing with end of life issues.

Summer Break

2010-06-06T16:59:00.001-07:00

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

2010-03-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

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

2010-01-23T18:43:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-23T14:59:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-27T15:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-11-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-24T18:25:00.000-07:00

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?

September Notes

2009-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

September 6- Living a Blessed Life- An Introduction

(Book pp. vii-xiv)
Questions:
Why a study that involves Benedictine life?
What are the characteristics/attitudes that lead to a blessed life?
Why is contemporary life so difficult?

September 13- Diving into the Book
(Chapter 1- pp.1-15)
Questions:
Do you need more structure in your life?
What are the key characteristics of Benedictine spirituality?
Vows make a difference in your life?

September 20- More Benedictine Spirituality (Silence in a World of Noise)
(Chapter 2- pp. 16-29)
Questions:
Do you need silence in your life?
Where do you find silence in your life?
What practices might you incorporate in your life?

September 27- Canon Jim Pritchett in the undercroft
Reverend Canon Jim Pritchett will conduct the services at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church today. He will also have a presentation during the Christian Ed. Time in the undercroft

Article from Stone-by-Stone

2009-08-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

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

Adult Formation at St. Andrew's Episcopal, Canton

2009-08-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

This is the accompanying website for keeping up with the Adult Formation program at Saint Andrew's On-the-Hill Episcopal Church.

Here is the schedule for Fall 2009-

August 29
Morning of Prayer
9am-12noon

Begins September 6
Living a Blessed Life
Sundays at 9:30 AM