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Christian education is a high priority for persons of all ages.
Mission Imperative, Diocese of Spokane
Faith Formation See information below about: Adult Sunday School, Spiritual Direction, Cursillo, Education for Ministry, Women's Contemplation & Conversation. Handy Web links: On-line searchable Bibles -- 24 English versions, 90 foreign languages, parallel Bibles
Various plans for reading through the Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year - free e-mail service
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SUNDAYS AT NINE
The adult class meets in Lower Siberia each Sunday morning at 9:00 AM. Classes are typically a 3-5 week series on a theme. Current classes are described in the Weekly and Monthly Messengers (our newsletters -- see links at the left side of this page).
February-June -- Mother Elaine is leading a series from "Living the Questions." The format is DVD presentation followed by discussion.
February 10 -- Lives of Jesus
February 17 -- The Prophetic Jesus
February 24 -- Compassion: The Heart of Jesus’ Ministry
March 2 -- Restoring Relationships
March 9 -- Evil, Suffering and A God of Love
March 16 -- The Myth of Redemptive Violence
March 23 -- (Easter Sunday Reception -- no class)
March 30 -- Practicing Resurrection
April 13 -- Prayer: Intimacy with God
April 20 -- Debunking the Rapture
April 27 -- Reclaiming the World
May 4 -- Taking the Bible Seriously
May 11 -- Stories of Creation
May 18 -- (Camp Cross Presentation -- no DVD)
May 25 -- A Passion for Christ: Paul the Apostle
June 1 -- Out into the World: Challenges Facing Progressive Christians
Your input and ideas are welcome! Let Mother Elaine know if there's something you'd really like to see in the schedule, or something you'd like to lead the discussion on.
ANNOUNCING A SPIRITUAL DIRECTION MINISTRY
Spiritual direction is a time-honored practice which spans most of the world's great religions. The importance of this ministry has become more recognized in the Christian Church generally and in the Episcopal Church specifically. Spiritual direction is now offered at St. David's by Gaye Lagana, a trained spiritual director, postulant for the diaconate and member of St. David's. Meetings will be held by appointment in Catherine's Room in the administration wing of St. David's.
Rabbi Jacob Staub has given one of the best concise descriptions of this ministry. He is quoted on the Spiritual Directors International web site as saying: "The object of spiritual direction is to cultivate one's ability to discern God's presence in one's life -- to notice and appreciate moments of holiness, to maintain an awareness of the interconnectedness of all things, to explore ways to be open to the Blessed Holy One in challenging and difficult moments as well as joyful ones. The director serves as a companion and witness, someone who helps you (sometimes with questions, sometimes just by listening) to discern the divine where you might have missed it and to integrate that awareness into your daily life."
Generally, most spiritual directors meet with their directees about once a month. To decide if spiritual direction is right for you, the best course of action is to meet with a director once or twice to see if both parties are comfortable working with each other. You may contact Gaye for an interview or for more information by calling her at (509) 468-0514. A brochure is also available.
Gaye Lagana received a certificate of completion in spiritual direction form Gonzaga University in May of 2004. She has also completed an eight month retreat studying and practicing Ignatian Spirituality in the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life. Gaye has participated in a practice of authentic movement for 15 years. Authentic movement focuses on meditations and the witnessing aspects of relationships.
I am pleased that Gaye has accepted my invitation to offer this important ministry. While I have offered spiritual direction in the past, I find that my current schedule as Rector will not allow me to offer this ministry to individuals. However, please feel free to contact me if you have additional questions about this ministry. -- The Rev. Elaine H. Breckenridge (466-3100)
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CONTEMPLATION & CONVERSATION FOR WOMENThe women’s contemplation and conversation group involves quiet prayer (the contemplation) and faith sharing (a guided conversation) and is facilitated by Mother Elaine. New members are welcome to try the group anytime. Meetings are scheduled every other Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Meditation Chapel. Don’t hesitate to speak with Mother Elaine if you have any questions. Sign up is not necessary.
CURSILLO:
Growing Christ-Centered Leaders
The next Cursillo weekend in our diocese will be on May 15-18, 2008, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Spokane's South Hill. Our own Rich Basta will be leading the weekend team!
The weekend starts at 7 PM Thursday and ends at about 5 PM Sunday. Participants stay at the Cursillo site the entire weekend. The registration fee includes all meals and materials. For more information, contact Jim or Nadine Grady. Brochures and application forms are available at our Communication Center in the hall near the church offices, or online at www.inlandnwcursillo.org.
Cursillo is
a movement of the church, under authority of the diocesan bishop. It helps Christians understand their individual callings to be Christian leaders in their environments -- at home, at work, at church. Cursillo is one of many similar renewal movements that help to renew and deepen Christian commitment.
A Cursillo weekend brings together a diverse group of adult Episcopalians from Thursday night until Sunday afternoon. The three days
are filled with talks and group discussions on aspects of our faith, plus there is fellowship,
singing, good food, and time for privacy, meditation, prayer,
and walks. Eucharist is celebrated each day. Lay people lead the weekend, with 2 or 3 clergy members as spiritual advisors. Cursillo is not intended to be a conversion experience
but an enriching and deepening of what is already there.
After the weekend, continuing encouragement and fellowship are found in Group Reunion (a regular gathering of a small group of friends), and Ultreyas (larger monthly or bimonthly gatherings). Spiritual direction from skilled lay persons or clergy is also encouraged, to provide help in deepening one's relationship with Christ.
The Education for Ministry Class will continue to meet Thursday evenings at
St. David’s. Unfortunately the group is filled to its maximum capacity, so we
will not be able to enroll more students at this time. However, if you are
interested in this quality program, please let mentors Elaine Breckenridge or
Gaye Lagana know. We may be able to offer a new group at a later time in the
year depending upon interest. Students continuing in the class, include Char
Mills, Barbara Gronberg, Martha Lou Wheatley-Billeter, Jim and Nadine Grady,
Jeanne Mitchell, Steve and Kathleen Kellen, Sally Atkins, Marjorie Heywood, John
Finlon and Tom Latimer. EFM is a program of theological education and reflection on ministry offered by extension through The School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. This program has been specifically designed for lay people within their own parishes. It is a four year program offering a curriculum of Old and New Testament study, church history and theology. Participants belong to an EFM seminar group facilitated and guided by a trained mentor. Groups meet weekly throughout the academic year, generally for a three hour session. During that time, they discuss the week’s reading assignments, worship together, and learn a process of theological reflection which helps them to connect their theological study with their own experience. Although it is a 4-year program, members make a commitment to register for one year at a time.
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