Adult Formation Opportunities

From the Desk of Linda Keith

Director of Adult Christian Formation

It seems that summer is finally going to make its annual appearance! The school year is winding down with finals, graduations, field trips and field days. Baseball games dominate the evening sports reports on the news. Restaurants have thrown open their doors and decked their patios with tables, linens and music. We are beginning the laid back, warm days of summer - a time when we can walk blissfully through the garden ruminating on the spender of God's creation and our place in it; a time when reminders of God's presence are robust in the beauty and bounty of Mother Earth. Summer is also time to kick back and enjoy a good book and iced tea on the porch or in a hammock.

I have been collecting a few good reads to keep me pleasantly busy for more than a few afternoons! 

• Christianity After Religion: The End of the Church and The Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening by Diana Butler Bass (This challenging and inspiring book is an excellent recommendation from Fr. Jason.)
• Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (This is indeed a timeless classic!)
• Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self by Richard Rohr
• Listening for the Heartbeat of God: A Celtic Spirituality by J. Phillip Newell
• Ink and Honey by Sibyl Dana Reynolds (This is a historical fiction novel set in medieval France with the sisters of Bell Coeur - a community of radically independent healers, visionaries, mystics and artisans who live by their wits and their prayers.)
• Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road: Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World by Brian C. McLaren (The back jacket says: "It's that he [McLaren] really gets what it means to be a follower of Jesus without judging and dismissing others.")
• Deception Point by Dan Brown (Okay, every good reading list has to have one thriller on it, right?) 

SOPHIA: Sophia is an opportunity for moms with children still at home (infant through high school) to share a cup of coffee and talk about our lives, our faith and our relationships. Sophia is on pause for the summer months. Watch the weekly newsletter and E-Call for information about our fall session.

VENITE: (Venite is the Latin word for 'come') Venite is an opportunity for adults - college age and beyond - to join in conversation about topics relevant to our lives and faith by offering periodic sessions throughout the year relevant to living our lives as followers of Christ. Watch the weekly Newsletter and the E-Call for information about our fall session.

SPIRITUAL VITALITY: (Formerly known as Adult Forum) This lively Sunday morning group, led by Mike Barnes, meets the first and third Sunday of every month.Join the conversation at 9:30-10:15 in the small classroom. Early birds are welcome at 9:15 for some coffee and social-time. Spiritual Vitality is typically a Bible Study based on the weekly readings from the Revised Common Lectionary. In our commitment to remain real, rooted and relevant, we will take these readings from the ancient text and apply them to our 21st century lives. The group is an open discussion format where questions or comments are welcomed.  If there is a particular topic or subject from the Bible you would like to explore in future session, please contact Mike. Spiritual Vitality is for all adults - high school age and beyond.