There are a great many wonderful things happening at All Pilgrims, and there is more soon to come.  Responding to the congregation's call to be a place of deep spiritual formation, as well as responding to the deep stirrings within people who are calling for connecting points to intentionally further their spiritual growth, new opportunities are on the rise. 

1. Men's Morning Prayer: As of last Monday, a Men's Morning Prayer Group is gathering at the church to pray together and support one another.  These gatherings are Mondays at 6:30 am in the Weld Room.  Michael Small is the convener and contact.  Please read more about this group, here.  

2. Evening Prayer Group:  An evening prayer group is to meet on Wednesday evenings at the church, beginning August 11 at 6:30 pm.  This gathering will be consistent in form, drawing from different traditions and styles to provide a centering and listening environment while also making room for sharing, support and expression.  All are welcome. 

3. Covenanting to Journey Together:  At my Installation, we participated in signing an All Pilgrim's Covenant.  Covenantal language is common in the Hebrew Bible.  In ancient Hebrew there was a clear understanding and distinction between contract language and covenantal language.  Contracts imply that if I do this, then you will do that.  If I pay rent, then, and only then, you will permit a month stay.  No rent, contract broken, no stay. The relationship is over until another contract is established.  God chooses to covenant, not contract with the Hebrew people.  They pay rent, then they don't, and God still provides place.  Covenant is a commitment to one another beyond "If - then's."  Our covenanting as faithful and imperfect people permits us, on a yearly basis, to commit to God and one another on our journey.  The Covenant will be presented a couple of times in September, including Homecoming Sunday, for us to join our names.

4. College of Spirituality:  With all of the depth and wisdom among us, along with all the heartfelt seeking of the Holy and spiritual growth, wouldn't it be great to bring it all together in a welcoming, nourishing, educational environment? 

Beginning in September, All Pilgrims will provide a deep learning environment to explore and experience next steps on our journey.  The name "College" is less about credits and diplomas and more about shaping a structure and rhythm.  On a quarterly basis, courses, classes and other offerings will occur - Fall, Advent, Lent/Easter, and Pentecost.  Within each quarter offerings will typically be six to eight weeks long.  Some will be offered during evenings while others will be on Sunday morning.  The intent is to have a consistent set of diverse offerings, in content and scheduling, with limited life spans, so people may engage in deep and varied experiences of learning and spiritual practice.

The Fall Quarter offerings are:

A. The Book of Acts - Act 2: Clark Wills, leader.  The second of three studies of the book of Acts.

B. Christian Spirituality and Prayer: Justin Umbright, leader.  For over the past two thousand years, the Christian Community has engaged in various spiritual prayer practices in order to commune with the ever-present God.  This class will begin to explore some important people who have influenced Christian tradition, and we will begin to develop our own spiritual prayer practices to use in our daily lives.  This will be achieved through weekly at-home readings, weekly meditation, discussions and experiential prayer exercises.