Adult Formation

Saint Peter's offers a wide variety of opportunities for deepening your faith and spiritual exploration


To be a Christian is to walk a grace filled journey of living out and into our baptism. Baptism initiates us into a lifelong venture of knowing, loving and living Jesus Christ. The faith community at St. Peter’s walks together toward all that Christ calls us to be. We pray, socialize and serve with one another.  Each of these activities is an essential component of our life in Christ along with the ongoing formation of mind and heart. For that purpose, we offer a variety of opportunities at St. Peter’s. Jeff, Mark, Carlyle, Ray, Ted and other members of the congregation have offered programs on a wide variety of topics including Christian Spirituality, prayer practices, individual books of the Bible, etc. Please consider joining any or all of the offerings.  There are other ongoing and special events to nourish our minds, hearts and souls.  Please check the bulletin for these opportunities.


To find out more, feel free to call the office or speak to any one of the clergy.


If there are any topics or programs which you would like to suggest for future events, please send Fr. Ted an Email or Call


  • Have you ever wanted to know more about our heritage as Christians in the Anglican tradition? To explore some of the mystics and visionaries who have nurtured the spiritual side of our common life? Beginning on Tuesday, November 9 at 10am, a new class will be starting which will explore the writing of 29 significant thinkers, including folks like George Herbert, Thomas Cranmer, Dorothy Sayers, and Desmond Tutu. The class will last about 12-15 sessions and be available on zoom. This class is especially appropriate for folks who have completed EfM, but that is NOT required. Our text will be Glorious Companions: Five Centuries of Anglican Spirituality by the Rev. Richard Schmidt. It can be ordered on Amazon or through the Church Office when you call to sign up. Any questions, please feel free to speak to Fr. Ross

  • St. Peter’s is offering two Bible study classes each week. On Tuesday and Thursday.

    Tuesday Mornings we are studying Christian Spirituality as discussed in the book God Seekers by Richard Schmidt. This class will meet weekly on Tuesday mornings at 10 am in the Conference Room. (Please note the corrected time)


    Come and join in the discussions! Contact the office for the Zoom links.


    The Thursday morning 9:30 am group is doing a side-by-side comparison of the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) using the book Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels by Burton H. Throckmorton, Jr. (Copies can be purchased from Amazon.) This study follows the hybrid model: in-person for those who are comfortable gathering together, or via Zoom for those who either need or want to join from home. This group has lively and informative discussions about the text they are studying together. There is always room for more participants if you are interested. For those participating via Zoom contact the office for the log in information.

  • Deepening Your Spiritual Journey: Centering Prayer and Spiritual Reading

     

    A group interested in deepening spiritual understanding and engagement at St. Peter’s is meeting on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Carlyle Gill as moderator.  Participants can attend remotely via Zoom Group members have the option of attending either or both of two 45-minute sessions as interest and schedules permit. The first session, from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m., is devoted to Centering Prayer, cultivating ways to be closer to God amid our busy lives. We start by reverently reading a Psalm using a time-honored spiritual practice called Lectio Divina. We then allow ourselves to be open to God’s presence by simply sitting quietly together – no special training or experience is needed. 

    The second session, from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m., focuses on readings that may lead us to greater wisdom and understanding. All are welcome to join us for open and thoughtful discussion; reading is not necessary for participation in the group.


    Contact the office to get login information or  Subscribe to our Weekly E-blast

  • Men's Spirituality is a Spiritual and Personal Growth Discussion Group for Men.  

    We meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m., for open and lively conversation about growth issues in our lives.  All men are welcome to join us for this time of enriching discussion of spiritual matters without judgment or criticism. This will be a “hybrid” meeting -- those who wish to meet in person can gather in the Absalom Jones Chapel in the church. Masks recommended but not required. We will also broadcast via Zoom. Contact the office or subscribe to the eblast for the meeting Id and Passcode.  

  • “Women’s Spirituality Group” at St. Peter's.
    The WSG meets on the 1st & 3rd Fridays at 10:30 am in the Community (Parish) Hall. Books are chosen by the women and facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Carol Flett. Subscribe to our weekly email for updates on what we are reading and discussing. For questions, contact revflett@gmail.com.

  • ST PETER’S READERS
    St Peter’s Readers are continuing to meet using a hybrid meeting format. We meet in person in the church conference room and on Zoom. You will find the Zoom meeting ID and the Zoom password at the end of this announcement. Our meetings are on the third Sunday of the month at 5 p.m., during daylight savings time and at 4 p.m. during standard time

    Our reading choices are: 
    •    April 16     5 p.m.      Poetry Month meeting
    If you would like to be added or deleted from our email list, please contact Roberta Williams Lindsay  or Carole Somers

    Subscribe to our eblast to to stay updated on all of our activities.

gOT QUESTIONS


What would you like to know or learn more about in your growth as a Christian and as an Episcopalian?  
I am looking for ideas that would stir enough interest to develop learning opportunities in the months ahead.  
          EMAIL

- The Rev. Ted Olson, Associate for Adult Formation

education for ministry

Secondary Title

Tuesday at 5pm, September thru May.

Thoughtful people are asking….What is EfM and why should I consider joining?


Short answer: EfM is the acronym for Education for Ministry, a distance learning program of the Episcopal Seminary in Sewanee, TN. 


It is a four year program of study, group reflection/discussion, worship, Christian community and spiritual friendship. More details available at www.efm.sewanee.edu. 


Why should I consider joining? Have you ever read a book that really engaged you and made you think? Or, watched a movie or heard a talk show or had a conversation that seemed to challenge your view of life or your faith? Have you ever opened the Holy Bible but found it too difficult to understand how it could relate to questions raised by life’s big and little questions? Do the current political issues within the church frustrate you and cause you to wonder if the church has ever before gone through such turmoil? Did you come to the Episcopal church from another Christian denomination or another faith and wonder what the Episcopal church “thinks” about this or that? Do you sometimes think that you are the only one who struggles to understand your faith? Do you love the thoughtful sermons preached every Sunday at St. Peter’s but wish the conversation could continue? If you find yourself answering yes to any of these questions you might be a good candidate for EfM.  More


EfM is one of the best educational bargains around. Contact Jacqueline Ferris and Ray Michener.