Christian Formation is a lifelong process that gives purpose and meaning to our lives as followers of Christ. It involves both the study of sacred texts and engagement with the practices that shape our daily lives. To that end, Grace offers many opportunities for adults – classes, workshops, retreats, symposiums, discussion groups, social activities and more.
We are all on a personal spiritual journey that is enhanced by the companionship of others. Grace Church offers adults opportunities for learning that meet their individual needs while benefitting from the perspective of others. Sunday classes meet weekly from 9:30-10:30 AM!
Stuart and Cynthia invite you to spend Lent with them this year, in a special Sunday Forum exploring the image and promise of the prophetic imagination. We should name out loud that this is a tumultuous year for us as a country and, indeed, as a world. We should also name out loud that we have such richness and potential within our broader Tradition to ground ourselves in a practice of prayer that takes seriously God’s creative presence within our lives.
Our practice of faith should enable us to live more fully in the world, facing the tensions of consumerism, distraction, and manipulation that are pernicious in our society today. Our hearts call for hope in the face of despair. To encourage our hearts, we need to nurture an awareness of God’s presence within our practice, to have a fuller engagement at our fingertips. We need to nurture our imagination so that we discern God’s presence in the lessons of our tradition, our history, and our present world.
Building on the Rev. John Cromartie’s forum discussions on flourishing and living life fully, we invite you to explore Walter Brueggemann’s seminal book The Prophetic Imagination with us this Lent as a way to engage a fuller and deeper reflection of faith. This book has been a key text for the church for forty years, and Brueggemann draws on the witness of the Old Testament prophets as they remained grounded and vigilant within the pressures of their society–as we see in key texts in our sacred scriptures.
As Brueggemann says in the book, his thesis is: “This task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.” We encourage you to purchase a copy of the 40th anniversary edition of the book as we delve deeper together during this Lenten season. We have much work to do, and it is time to do it.
The class will meet on Sundays at 9:30 AM in the Parish Hall, beginning February 11.
They say parenting is one of our most important tasks—a task that’s often both exhilarating and exhausting, magical and maddening, and our efforts sometimes seem both laudable and laughable…all in one day!! If this sounds familiar, this class is for you! We gather together to support one another in our parenting endeavors, and explore different ways to parent with more mindfulness and grace. We seek to understand ourselves better, so that we can better understand our children, and be better equipped to help them become the people they were created to be.
The Parenting Group will meet in the conference room of the Grace Center. Facilitators: Callie & Kevin Flack
Coming February 19, 26 & March 4! The opening of our Field and Stream Bible Study will begin with a look at biblical references to “sea monsters”. We will explore these passages within their historical and political contexts, and also consider how the anthropomorphizing of our primal fears makes these images feel very current to us today. A Bible, a journal, and a commentary are helpful tools. No fishing license required. See you on Monday, February 19 at 10:30 AM in the Grace Center Library/Conference Room. Contact Cynthia with any questions.
Come join us as we explore praying with our bodies. Chair yoga meets on Mondays at 2:45 or Thursdays at 10:00 AM and flow yoga meets Mondays at 3:45 PM or Thursdays from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The classes are free and open to anyone. New participants welcome and no experience is necessary. Dress comfortably for movement. If you have any health issues, please make sure that you have consulted your doctor.
Prayer Yoga is currently meeting via Zoom. Links to yoga are located in the the ON THE CALENDAR section of the email newsletter. Please join the zoom meeting just prior to your class and mute your feed during class so all can hear the instructor.
Centering Prayer is a contemplative method of prayer that facilitates opening the mind and heart to God. Gatherings consist of a brief opening; sitting in silence for 20 minutes ending with the Lord’s Prayer, then a sharing of video or short discussion of spiritual topic of choice. All are welcome.
Centering Prayer meets on Mondays at 5:00 PM on Zoom. The link can be found in the ON THE CALENDAR section of the email newsletter.
The Daughters of the King is an Order, founded by Margaret J. Franklin in 1885, for women in the Episcopal Church. There are chapters in the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Basin. As Daughters we undertake A Rule of Life, A Rule of Prayer and Service, and Evangelism. The Greek Fleury cross worn by members of the order is inscribed in Latin, “Magnanimiter Crucem Sustine” which translated means “With heart, mind and spirit, uphold and bear the cross.” The cross is an outward and visible sign of a deep and inward vow we take to become a Daughter of the King.
Our Grace Chapter was established in 1940, currently with 42 members. Seeking the will of God, we pray daily for unity in Christ’s Church, the spread of Christ’s Kingdom, for God’s blessing on our Order, the clergy, and the spiritual growth of our parish. Meetings are held monthly and are open to any women who wish to visit with us.
DOK meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM in the Grace Center Conference Room and on Zoom.
A small group of men gather at 7:00 AM on Monday mornings for coffee and conversation. Another group gathers for pub theology at Tap It every third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM. Information about additional events can be found in our newsletter and on the calendar. All men are warmly invited to participate.
The women of Grace typically gather annually for a weekend of rejoicing, reflection, and renewal at the Montreat Retreat and Conference Center in North Carolina. Information about additional events can be found in our newsletter and on the calendar. All women are warmly invited to participate.
Grace also regularly offers unique retreat, lecture series, short term studies, and symposium formation opportunities. Learn more about additional adult Christian formation events and opportunities at the links below.
The Center for Prayer and Spiritual Practice at Grace Episcopal Church seeks to nurture the transformation of the community from the inside out.
Watch this space for announcements about formation opportunities in the community.