Adult Education This Winter and Spring
With Classes Following Each Sunday Service
We meet in the Lounge. Each class is offered twice: first at 9:15am-10:15am, and again at noon-1pm.
Drop in at whichever time is most convenient for you.
January 12
Episcopal History Remix
Facilitated by Fr David Marshall
You’ve heard that King Henry VIII needed a divorce and Pope Clement VII would not grant it, but did you know that the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V, forbade it (it was a family thing, she was his auntie)? Did you know that King Henry VIII had been giving the title, “Defender of the Faith” by Pope Leo X for his opposition to the protestant reformation? We’ll look at the history of the Episcopal church from Henry’s struggles to produce an heir to the formation of a new church after the American Revolution, to the church we have become today, independent of Rome and of Canterbury.
January 19
Episcopal Traditions
Facilitated by Fr David Marshall
There was a time when the choice between protestant and catholic was a matter of life and death. Queen Elizabeth attempted to end the bloody conflict by calling both Protestants and Catholics to worship side by side with one Book of Common Prayer, without questioning the content of one another’s hearts. It didn’t work, but the Book of Common Prayer did become a great work of Christian worship. This class will look at the history of the Book of Common Prayer that leads to our 1979 edition. Praying Shapes Believing, as Leonel Mitchell famously wrote, and our prayer book revisions have had a profound impact.
January 26
Episcopal Practices
Facilitated by Fr David Marshall
If you come to our 8am service, you will hear prayers in Elizabethan English that harken back to the original 1549 prayerbook written by Thomas Cranmer. At our 10:30am service, you will hear prayers in contemporary language that are faithful to those 16th century origins. This class will look at the Book of Common Prayer 1979 and the ways we use it for our worship. We’ll talk about the strengths and weaknesses of our BCP, including the great Tradition going back to the 12th century, and the absence of inclusive language or sensitivity to issues of creation care.
February 9, 16, 23, and March 2
The Literature of the Intertestamental Period
Facilitated by Dr Sheldon Greaves
Learn about the vast body of religious literature that flourished between the closing of the canon of the Hebrew Bible and the creation of the Christian Scriptures.
March 9
30 Days of Preparation (Kickoff)
Facilitated by Fr. David Marshall
Carpe Sacramentum! Parish-wide Formation for Confirmation, Reception and Renewal of Vows. Too often, preparation for confirmation or reception are segregated and offered to a small number of people. This program invites all of us to participate in support of new members of our congregation, and for our own growth and blessing. Participants will receive a packet with activities for each of the 30 days. We’ll check in frequently, and then gather to share our experiences before our next visit from Bishop Akiyama in May.
March 16, 23, 30, April 6, and 13
Entering the Passion of Jesus
Facilitated by the Adult Ed Committee
A book study of the book by Amy-Jill Levine.
April 27
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Facilitated by Craig Massie
How would the first hearers of this parable have heard this now well-domesticated story? Let’s find out.
May 4
30 Days of Preparation (Culmination)
Facilitated by Fr David Marshall
Carpe Sacramentum! Follow-up on our Parish-Wide Formation program and preparation for the visit of Bishop Akiyama, who comes on May 11th. Celebrating the completion of this 30-day period of preparation for renewal of baptism, reception into the church, baptism, and confirmation.
May 18 and 25
Medieval Stained Glass and the Stained glass Windows of The Church of the Good Samaritan
Facilitated by Dr Linda Marie Zaerr
The windows at the Church of the Good Samaritan draw on a rich tradition of storytelling in glass. We’ll explore how medieval glaziers supported community, engaged the imagination, and reinforced connections among biblical stories.
June 1
TBD