We invite you to learn more about all the upcoming spiritual formation events and short term opportunities for adults. Events are added and updated regularly, so please continue to check back to stay up-to-date.
Wednesdays following supper
Bowl Painting: September 4
Join us as we partner with the Georgia Mountain Food Bank to address hunger in our community and paint bowls for the Empty Bowl Luncheon. Fun for all ages!
Story Telling: September 11 and 18
Learn the practice of internalizing a favorite Bible passage. For the past thirteen years, Dr. Park has participated in the research and development of the field of Biblical Performance Criticism through the International Network of Biblical Storytellers. Join us, and experience firsthand the dynamic differences in hearing the text told rather than reading it silently. Learn the skills you can use to commit to heart a favorite passage to share with others.
Women’s Study: Wednesdays, September 25 – October 23
We’ll practice our Biblical story telling skills and continue our series of women in the Bible on Wednesdays from 6:30-7:30 in the Grace Center Conference Room, September 25 – October 23.
Trunk or Treat: October 30
All are invited to join the fun from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Decorate a car, trick or treat, play lots of games, and enjoy dinner from the Varsity.
Biblical Hebrew and First Temple Judaism: beginning January 8
Ever been interested in learning to read the Bible in its original languages? Or, have you wondered about Jesus’ Judaism and how it shaped his own formation? Ancient Hebrew and Aramaic are fascinating languages where each word and in many cases each letter opens up a world of story, legend, mysticism, and spiritual connection to the Divine.
We will take eight weeks beginning on Wednesday January 8 and continuing right up to the week before Lent begins, February 19 from 6:30-7:30 in the Youth Room to begin our work together. And, for those who are interested in studying beyond February 19, we will sort out future schedules at that time. Please direct any questions about this course to Dr. Park: Cynthia@gracechurchgainesville.org.
Various days & times
There are a number of opportunities for fellowship and study for women at Grace. Those upcoming this fall include:
Wednesday afternoon fellowship
Join us in the Grace Center Conference room on Wednesday afternoons at 5:00 for a time of fellowship while the children are a chorister practice.
Bible Study
We’ll practice our story telling skills and resume our study of Women in the Bible on Wednesday evenings after dinner, September 25 through October 23. Meet in the Grace Center Conference room from 6:30-7:30.
Women’s Retreat: January 17-19, 2020
This year’s retreat will feature Sharon Garlough Brown, author of the Sensible Shoes series, and will be held at the Montreat Retreat and Conference Center in Montreat, NC. Registration will open in September. Watch the newsletter or Retreats and More page for more information.
various days & times
Men’s groups are forming! If you have not done so already, please complete the interest survey and tell us about the kinds of men’s offerings you’d like to see. Or contact Dave Westfall or Cheryl Kelley.
Monday Morning Men’s Group
A small group of men gather at 7:00 AM on Monday mornings for coffee and conversation. The group meets at Panera. All men are warmly invited to participate.
Tuesdays from 6:00 - 8:00 PM beginning September 10
Have you been wanting to write that book, but just can’t seem to get started? Or want to learn to paint but think you don’t have any talent? Or feeling stuck in the creative endeavors you have undertaken? Join us as we work our way through Julia Cameron’s twelve week course, The Artist’s Way: Creativity as a Spiritual Practice. Learn how to use Cameron’s simple tools to unleash your creativity and enjoy participating in the flow of creative life.
We’ll meet on Tuesdays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the conference room of the Grace Center, beginning September 10. Registration is required, and class size is limited, so email Cheryl Kelley to sign up. You’ll need a copy of the book The Artist’s Way, and a journal (the companion journal is recommended).
Sunday, October 6
The Rev. Dr. Stuart Higginbotham, rector of Grace Church in Gainesville, is a co-editor and contributor to the forthcoming volume Contemplation and Community: A Gathering of Fresh Voices for a Living Tradition. The book is being published by the Crossroad Publishing Company. We will be holding a special Sunday afternoon reading, signing, and conversation on Sunday, October 6 at 3:00 PM in the Parish Hall at Grace
Saturday, October 26
Spirituality Conference at the Cathedral of St. Philip with Dr. Lerita Coleman Brown. From Contemplation to Compassionate Social Action: The Creative Encounter of Howard Thurman. Saturday, October 26th from 9-3. For more details and tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spirituality-conference-with-dr-lerita-coleman-brown-tickets-65580590311. If you plan to attend and would be interested in traveling as a group, please contact Cheryl.
December 14 & March 14
Save the dates and watch the newsletter and website for details. Our Advent Quiet Day will be December 14 and the Lenten Quiet Day March 14.