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We like to learn. There is a wealth of
knowledge that can deepen our faith and enrich our spiritual
lives – Scripture, theology, church history, and practical
courses in how to serve others more effectively. Adult Education
courses at St. Francis are well-attended and help us get acquainted with others in the community.
Sunday Mornings, we offer
a choice of programs. Kerygma is a Bible
Study using the excellent Kerygma Curriculum. This class meets
throughout the school year, and starts with a fresh workbook
each year. We also offer one or two alternative channels
on Sunday mornings with varying topics, often taught by exceptional
guest lecturers and facilitators. Examples of previous courses:
Islam, Christianity, and the West; When Religion Becomes
Evil; Living With Money; Wrestling With Angels: Life’s
Most Difficult Questions; Faith & Reason; the Sacredness
of Death and Dying; Parenting in the Christian Family;
and Growing God’s Kids.
Thursday Mornings, we
offer a class that alternates a sequence of Bible Study with
a sequence of Tradition Study – so we mix our own reflections
on Scripture with the reflections we find in the Creeds, classic
spiritual writers, and contemporary spirituality.
Seasonal & Special Programs.
We offer seasonal programs in Lent and sometimes Advent; and
other special classes, workshops, and series throughout the
year. Examples include Fundamentalism & Violence (how
religious extremism can lead to terrorism); Journey Toward
Wholeness (the role of faith and prayer in mind/body health);
How It All Began (events in the Early Church’s life
that led to the formation of the Creeds and the New Testament);
dreamwork and psychodrama workshops; Enneagram Workshops,
Labyrinth Workshops, yoga classes, Bio-Spiritual Focusing
classes, and We Believe (basic Christian doctrine).
Education For Ministry
is an extension program of the University of the South. EFM
combines small group study of Scripture and Church history
with experiential learning in theological reflection. St.
Francis hosts an EFM group attended by members from several
congregations.
Anglicanism 101. At least
twice a year, Fr. Dan teaches a 6-week course in the basics
of Anglican Christianity.
CURRENT ADULT ED OFFERINGS
Sunday Mornings at 9 am
"The History of God" (Library)
Sunday Mornings at 10 am
BIBLE SERIES:
The Parables - Jesus' Homespun Tales
What did Jesus really say? What was Jesus trying to communicate through his stories? This class will explore various meanings found in the parables Jesus drew from daily life and how they may relate to us in today's world. Join us in an exploration of moral, literal and spiritual aspects found in the stories of Jesus using "Parables" from the Kerygma series.
Teachers: Ken Owen, Jamie Swift, Preston and Marcia Aldridge
August 12 - September 30 at 10 am in the Library.
RENEWAL SERIES:
Prayer Study - "Lord, Teach Us to Pray"
Drawing on Jesus' words about prayer in Luke and Matthew, we will learn different forms of prayer while practicing the discipline of daily communion with God. Beginning with "The Lord's Prayer," we will explore what Jesus taught us to say and go on to examine meditation, breath prayer, contemplative and centering prayer.
Teachers: Buzz Tanner, Wendie Brannen and Charles Reynolds
August 12 - September 30 at 10 am in the Lower Room.
APOSTOLATE SERIES:
The Environment and Global Warming - What Would Jesus Do?
What is global warming? Does it really pose a catastrophic threat to our planet? Can the world move away from fossil fuels into an era of clean technologies? If global warming is, according to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, "...one of the great human and spiritual challenges of our time...," what is our Christian response to be? Join the discussion to these and other questions related to the Millennium Development Goals and how we can change the world.
Teacher: Tracie Jenkins
August 12 - September 30 at 10 am in the Lower Room.
Thursday Evenings
The Jesus Symposium - 6 pm (Lower Room)
Sunday Evenings at 7 pm (following Celtic Communion)
CULTURE AND CHRISTIANITY SERIES:
Hogwarts at St. Francis: Looking for God in Harry Potter
Explore Hogwarts and Harry Potter as you've never seen them before. In "Hogwarts at St. Francis," we'll discuss J. K. Rowling's phenomenally best-selling children's book series favored by millions of adults worldwide.
We'll discover why the Harry Potter novels are taken seriously as literature, how the plot, themes and symbols used are consistent with a Christian worldview, and how Rowling's works - like those of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis - reflect Christian answers to big questions of life. Some spoilers for the last books may come up, so make sure you've read ahead.
Teachers: Parrish and Teresa Smotherman
Beginning August 19th at 7 pm in the Lower Room.
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