Adult Christian Formation Opportunities, January 2002

The Christian Formation Ministry of Grace Episcopal Church
Presents For You:

The Face of God:
Infancy
to
Adulthood

January 6,13,20 & 27
9:10-10:00 a.m.

Parish Hall

January 6, 2001

Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt… Life stages & crisis in a world that breeds distrust and disaster
Clinical psychologist, Dr. Katherine Smith, will lead us in a discussion of our experiences of the psycho-social life stages that we all move through. We will come away with an understanding of how the crises that we all face in our development from infancy to vintage years help to shape who we are and how we live.

Dorothy Linthicum, Christian Educator for Virginia Seminary’s Center for the Ministry of Teaching and Managing Editor of various Episcopal Curricula will lead us through the following three weeks of learning.

January 13, 2001

Where have I been? Where am I now? Where am I going in this journey of faith?
Together we will explore styles and stages of faith, and how faith develops from childhood to adulthood and how it is always in process.

January 20

Moving from Tolerance to Transformation
How do we acknowledge and celebrate the unique gifts of each member of our diverse community across generational lines? Can we honor children and our vintage folk within a congregation or a worship service? How do we deal with the challenge inherent in wanting to be a welcoming community to all people, embracing the “face of God”?

January 27, 2001

Putting it all together…

In our final session, we will integrate what we’ve learned about developmental stages and our understanding of our faith. We will conclude by celebrating the ways our faith grows as we continue on our spiritual journeys. What have we learned about our faith, our church, our children, ourselves?

By looking at children, we can embrace our responsibility to nurture their faith, and as a result, understand better our own faith journeys.

Check the board in the narthex for upcoming offerings and JOIN US whenever you are able! Your presence makes our experience a richer one!

Other Ways to Support your Life Faithfully:

Prayer Group
7:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday Evenings
Grace House
Bring your joys, concerns, openness to different ways of praying ~ new and old alike.

Rector's Series: Understanding the Bible in Context
After the 10:15 a.m. Service Sundays
Grace House

Our rector, Janice Robinson, will help us to unravel the Biblical message by providing a study of the history and culture within which the various books were written. Beginning September 16, this class will continue through the entire program year.

The Adult Journey:
Life in Community, Living in a Balanced Way

During out study/sharing time together we will examine what the monastics, practical theologians, and scripture have to share with us who live such hectic lives. We will consider (and hopefully implement) adjustments in our lives that will provide us with a more peace-filled existence. Participation in the Adult Journey Program includes commitment to the entire program offering. The September and January Retreats are restricted to program participants.

Part 1: Begins September 14 & 15 (all day Friday and Saturday) at Sanctuary Retreat Center. We will meet for the following six Sundays at 6:30 p.m. to conclude Part 1 of our study together.

Part 2: Begins January 11 - 13, 2002 (Friday evening - Sunday) at Wellspring Retreat Center. The group will continue meeting on Sunday evenings.

The Inquirer’s Class
Beginning in Lent
For those who are new to the Episcopal church and are seeking confirmation, reception or reaffirmation of their Christian faith. This class is also for ALL people who are interested in looking with fresh eyes at what it means to be a Christian and specifically, what does it mean to call oneself an Episcopalian.

Note: There is some cost involved in the retreats; however, scholarship money is available!