Learn: Adult Formation
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Current Programs“Our steps are directed by God who strengthens those who walk in the way.” Psalm 37:24 The Adult Formation Program seeks to provide a variety of opportunities for deepening our understanding of our Christian heritage, for engaging with the intersection of our faith and mission in the world, for nurturing ourselves and our families, and for growing together as Christians. The committee sponsors a regular Sunday morning program at 9:00 and 11:15 am as well as Quiet Days, workshops, and weekday offerings. Our offerings are designed in style and content to respond to the varied needs of parishioners. Led by our clergy, members of the congregation, and outside guests, our adult events include concerts, lectures, seminars, forums, webinars, book groups, movie series, quiet days, and Bible study. The Sunday Adult Class was instituted in the nineteen-fifties. Touching on every aspect of living as a follower of Christ, this program quickly became one of Epiphany’s most appreciated offerings. Sunday Morning FormationHadley Hall from 11:15am - noon Epiphany Minicourses As always, participants are welcome to attend different mini-courses from week to week—it is not necessary to attend the same mini-course throughout Epiphany. If you have questions about a mini-course, please contact the listed course Facilitator. The location indicated for each course is an initial designation—course locations may be changed as appropriate once sessions get underway, depending upon the number of attendees, and other needs. Movies are Prayers: How Films Voice Our Deepest Longings The class will be an exploration of the role of movies as expressions of our deepest longings to a God who hears them all. In the book, Movies Are Prayers: How Films Voice our Deepest Longings, author Josh Larsen explores how movies communicate to God our profound feelings of lament, praise, joy, confession and redemption. Josh’s reflections will bring insights into the meaning of certain films as well as how prayer might function in our lives in a new way. Each class will feature family-friendly film clips exemplifying the theme of prayer and relevant scripture passages, with questions and discussion to follow. The course will be led by Jason, but the first session will be guest hosted by Josh Larsen himself. Josh is a film critic in the Chicago area, editor of the Think Christian website and co-host of the Filmspotting podcast. Arrangements are being made to offer copies of Movies are Prayers for sale during the first two sessions of the course. Immigration Justice Our immigration justice mini-course covers a range of aspects of this complex issue. We begin with a brief history of immigration in the US to set the context for today’s struggles. Next we look at the experiences of refugees and unaccompanied minors, including the personal story of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, welcomed to this country pre-9/11, whereas under the Trump administration the number of refugees has been drastically cut. Then we examine the history of sanctuary and our current work as a Level 2 sanctuary church. As a way of understanding these struggles from our Christian perspective, we discuss the secular power of empire, enforced by violence and oppression, and its antithesis in the gentle, subversive power of love and community. We wrap up with details of different ways to be involved at a grassroots level such as the initiatives being developed by Episcopal City Mission and UUMassAction. Join us for all sessions or just one or two, to deepen your faithful response to this crisis of our time.
Mindfulness Meditation Meditation is an ancient as well as contemporary activity, practiced by millions of people world-wide over millennia. Why? What is the draw, what are the benefits – spiritually, emotionally, physically? This course will teach the basics of mindfulness meditation, a practice which cultivates equanimity, awareness, compassion, and is a form of prayer. We will include mindfulness concepts such as the Sacred Pause, Wise Speech and Lovingkindness, and how these can help guide our lives. You need bring nothing other than your open heart and mind. The course will include presentation, practice, and sharing, and will be a safe and accepting space for people with any - or no - experience with meditating.
The Screwtape Letters Participants in this mini-course will read and discuss C.S. Lewis’ famous account of letters from a minor demon to his nephew. Arrangements are being made to offer copies of The Screwtape Letters for sale during the first two sessions of the course.
Holy Parenting On the day your child was baptized, you as a parent promised to bring him or her up in the Christian faith, to help your child foster his or her inner life, and help him or her know what it means to be a child of God. This is a big responsibility! Fortunately you were not asked to do this alone because on the day of Baptism, we as a Church also vowed to support your children in their life in Christ, we as a Church vowed to help you in this daunting journey. Whatever stage of parenting you are at right now, you are invited to join us! Together, we will build a community to support, encourage, and equip each other as we walk together to raise our children through both the challenging times and the times of grace and joy. During these three weeks, we will gather for fellowship and discussion, we will reflect upon Scripture and other readings and share and learn together how to raise our children as Christians. Childcare is available. Please note that the second Sunday of each month is devoted to fellowship Small Groups for Study, Prayer, and FellowshipContemplative Prayer
This is a simple half hour prayer service with lots of silence and beautiful Celtic prayers to help you center and breathe in the love of God. Join us in the Chapel at 9 am each Thursday. Bible Study A weekly Bible study group at Epiphany meets on Thursdays at 9:30 - 11:00 am in the Suter Room. While the majority of the Bible Study participants use the New Revised Standard Version of The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha (3rd or 4th editions) due to the usefulness of its footnotes, any Bible is welcome in the class. No previous background in scriptural reading is needed to participate in this class. All are welcome! For information, contact John Jenke. Quiet Days
The entire parish building is set aside this morning for quiet prayer following three short meditations. During the quiet time, those who wish can meet with the leader for individual confession or for a conversation. The day concludes with noonday prayers in the Nave. It is not necessary to commit to the entire morning — feel free to come for as much or as little as your schedule permits. All are welcome! Education for Ministry (EFM) Do you feel called to guide others in faith? This is a distance learning, theological education program designed by the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Completion of the program takes four years, during which participants study the Old and New Testaments, church history, and Christian theology. Participants commit one year at a time to meet weekly in seminars led by a trained mentor. Through weekly reading assignments, group discussion and theological reflection, participants develop knowledge and confidence about the ministry we are each called to in Baptism. For more information, contact Rich Goldhor or Jason Kinchen. Men’s Breakfast Group We meet every Tuesday morning from 7:15 to 8:30 am in the Suter Room. The group begins with breakfast (bagels, coffee, tea) and fellowship for the first 30 minutes. Following is a reading and open discussion for the next 45 minutes. For more information, contact Bill Saunders Women's Spirituality Group The Women's Spirituality Group gathers on the first Wednesday of the month sharing a light lunch from 12:30 till 2:00pm to companion one another in our spiritual lives. We read poetry, essays, and books. We laugh, cry, write, talk, and sometimes meditate. It's member-led and different each month. All women of Epiphany are welcome to join us. We meet in the Jeanne Sproat Room at Epiphany. |
During the seasons of Advent and Lent, a Saturday Quiet Day is offered at the church. A Quiet Day is a half-day retreat offering three meditations interspersed with silence and prayer.
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| Location & Contact70 Church Street |
