Adult Education

Adult Education - Sundays at 9:15 in the Formation Room.

Two of the things that make St. John’s special are that we are dedicated to nurturing a new generation in the Christian faith and that we are a family in Christ characterized by circles of relationship that bind us together. 

A commitment to lifelong education reinforces both of these qualities, and supports the following objectives:

• To support the people of the parish as they seek to live out the Baptismal Covenant
• To nurture Christian formation
• To appreciate God’s creation
• To promote fellowship and dialogue by providing education on scripture
• To promote fellowship and dialogue by providing education on Christianity and the family
• To promote fellowship and dialogue by providing education on Christianity in today’s world.

Christian Formation

We offer a broad spectrum of opportunities to learn, to question and discuss and to come to know others in our parish family.  This is done through a combination of weekly Christian formation, regular study and discussion of scripture,and occasional special programs and speakers. 

Each Sunday during the school year, adults to come together at 9:15 a.m. in the Formation Room on the first floor, near the Irvine Row entrance to the church.  Please click here to see the interesting topics scheduled for the Spring of 2007.

Sexuality and Faith (SAFe)

There is a growing group of St. John's parishioners who seek to create safe space in which to consider human sexuality and how we can live our lives as faithful Christians. The group focuses on creating a climate of welcome and affirmation of Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Trans-gender (GLBT) persons and their families at St. John's while also addressing the broader challenges of contemporary Christian sexual ethics and of welcome and hospitality. Please read the SAFe Group's Statement of Identity and Purpose and learn about planned meetings and programs.

Please contact Father Mark or Mother Robin for further information about SAFe.

Study and Discussion of Scripture

Rector’s Bible Study
On Wednesday mornings from 11 a.m. to noon from September through May, Father Mark hosts Bible Study in the Formation Room.  A serious Bible scholar, Father Mark may lead the group through a detailed review of chosen chapters or a broad exploration of a certain topic. 

"Bible Basics"
This is a new group that will meet on Wednesday evenings beginning at 5:30 with a pot-luck dinner. Mother Robin will lead these informative sessions which will trace the history of the Bible from scrolls to modern form to help form a deeper understanding of its meaning. Child care will be available.

Sunday Evening Bible Study
Beginning at 6 p.m. on October 7, 2007 the Sunday Evening Bible discussion group will begin a 5-session study at the home of Karen Westphal. Please call the church office (243-4220) for directions. As in all group endeavors at St. John’s there is an element of fellowship present as people work and learn together.

Women at the Well
Women at the Well offers an opportunity for women to gather on the second Saturday morning each month from Fall through Spring to examine spirituality from different perspectives.  Each month brings a different theme, which the participants who gather in the Parish Hall explore among themselves with leadership from a speaker. 

Resources within St. John’s

Library and Book Cart – The Formation / Adult Education Room is not just a place where we gather once a week to listen and learn from one another.  It also houses a library cart that holds books that can help satisfy one’s quest for more knowledge and deeper understanding of many subjects related to spirituality.  We add new titles frequently, and all you need to do to check out a book is to record your name and the book’s title in the 3-ring binder on the cart. 

Tracts and Pamphlets – There are several tracts and pamphlets (e.g., Forward Day By Day) available in the rack outside of the parish office in the Cloister.

For a list of web-based opportunities to learn, please see the Resources page.