Opportunities for Christian Formation at St. James

• • Confirmation
• • Adult Forum
• • Lectures
• • Ministry Ed
• • Theology & Spirit
• • Training

Here at St. James, we offer a variety of opportunities for Spiritual Formation. Yearly men’s and women’s retreats, our annual Lenten series, and weekly classes enhance our worship together on Sunday. Our regular classes are listed below. We also encourage self-study through both visual and audio media. Lists of books for suggested reading are found below the classes. Another link will take you to opportunities for retreat at Bon Secours, Shalem, and Holy Cross Monastery.

Confirmation

Confirmation December 11, 2011 at 10:15am, Bishop Burnett officiating

Are you ready to discover more about your faith? Are you ready to discover more about yourself?

Why come to confirmation?

• You want to find a way to deepen your faith while enjoying the company of friends...
• You are interested in finding out more about the Episcopal Church...
• You wish to explore your faith in a new and exciting ways...

St. James invites you to join us for Confirmation 2010-11

Confirmation class meets in Fr. Hailey's classroom (Room 204) after the 10:15 Eucharist and is open to anyone in 8th grade or older.

Interested? Contact: Victor Hailey+

ADULT FORUM: Simply Episcopalian: Third Sundays, 9:00am

These sessions are designed to give all who worship at Saint James a common understanding of our faith, theology, governance and common life. They are also meant to prepare adults who desired to be received from another denomination or confirmed as adult members of this part of the household of God.

» Class Schedule

SUNDAY SERIES: Adult Lecture Series: 9:00am

This year we offer our second series of lectures on Sundays covering a variety of topics both practical and spiritual. Each speaker comes for 1-3 weeks, meaning you can opt to come for some, or all of our year's speakers.

The 2010 - 2011 Series lecturers include:

• Dr Mike Gorman, Dean, Ecumenical Institute
• Dr. Pat Fosarelli
• The Rt. Rev. John Rabb
• Dr. Eric Gritch, Emeritus Prof of History, Gettysburg Seminary
• Dr. Philip Norman

» Lecture Schedule
» Dr. Philip Norman's Lecture Transcripts: Science and Theology (2009 - 2010 Series)

Contact Mrs. Kari-Ann Lynne; or Mrs. Suzanne Zantop, .

Education for Ministry

Education for Ministry (EfM) is the four-year program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, theology, and contemporary issues facing the church, supplemented by personal explorations of spiritual growth, theological reflection, and opportunities for ministry. The program grants a certificate at the completion of the four years and 18 Continuing Education Units for each year's work.

If you are interested in being part of an EFM group, contact .

Theology and Spirit

Fridays, 9:00 AM beginning September 23, 2011

Discipleship-A Life of Faith in Community

This year we will study through prayer. text, and fellowship what it means to live a disiple's life in the midst of community. The church began in community and has struggled to find its identity through the give and take of community life. It is our faith that causes us to come together again and again, even when the going is tough. But what we find is strength for the journey, hope for our hearts, and joy in praising God with one another.

We start with a look at the Old Testament, the bedrock of community. In Eugene Peterson's Book, Run With the Horses, we will renew our understanding of why God wants us to experience abundant life. In the commentary on Acts, from the Anglican Association of Scholars, we will see the early church in formation, even as we recognize our own community and our contribution to it. It Archbishop Williams book, Where God Happens, a visit with the early desert fathers and mothers reminds us that God happens between people.

Contact Debra Barton,

Training in Ministry

Acolytes, Readers, Chalicists, Pastoral Visitation

Periodic training for ministry in and for the church will be offered at 9:00 on Sundays, and at other times as needed. Contact Victor Hailey (acolytes), .