A Guide for Christian Formation at St. Thomas 2012-2013 · spiritual practices. For those who would...

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A Guide for Christian Formation at St. Thomas 2012-2013 Connecting our lives and mission for all ages! This summer a great deal of energy, ideas and prayerful consideration has come together to help make opportunities for Christian Spiritual Formation even greater for all of us. The vision of Christian Spiritual Formation is simple: to help connect your life with an enriching and dynamic faith, no matter what stage you are in your age or experience. Christian Spiritual Formation is a life-long journey and relationship with God that grows and matures as it is nurtured by what we share as a faith community. It all begins with worship – In the Eucharist we offer our praise to God, affirm our identity and story of being part of God’s family, asked to consider what God continues to do in and through our lives as disciples and are fed, both literally and figuratively for the journey ahead. This said, it is more than a “common experience,” it is a shared feast, one that the entire family is invited to experience. Indeed, everything we are about comes out of what we share around the Lord’s Table. This is what makes the other programs we offer on Sunday mornings and beyond so very powerful. This program year, looks to be exciting with opportunities for every member of your home to come together, share and grow. A Family Gathered – In addition to our wonderful nursery (birth up to 4 years old) and programming for all ages during Christian Formation (9:15-10:15), St. Thomas will be making our main worship at 10:30 that much more “family-friendly,” accessible and engaging for our younger members. In addition to our popular activity bags that are available for our younger children to use during the service, there is something just for our younger members during the worship service itself. Beginning on September 16 th , our Children’s Chapel returns! Families arrive together for worship and after the opening Prayer Collect and Hymn of Praise, our Pre-K’s up to 3 rd graders are invited to have their own “Service of the Word.” Here in Children’s Chapel, the children experience the story, music and a simplified message meant just for them, returning to join their families before the announcements (at the Peace). This would also be a convenient opportunity for families who wish, to have their toddler join them from the nursery, so that families are then able to experience the Holy Communion together, gathered the Lord’s Table. We believe this blends the best of all possible experiences for you and our children together. For those families who wish, they are always welcome to have their children remain with them throughout worship. There are opportunities for 3 rd grade and up to even help with worship! Christian Formation moves beyond worship and into special experiences and gatherings for all ages, both on Sundays and even beyond. This year the whole parish has the opportunity to walk through the Bible, exploring The Story, the story of God, God’s People and how this is still our own story. In 31 sessions (spanning from September through May), we each can journey from Creation to Revelation in way that is engaging for all ages, each in different groups. Our younger members will experience The Story as part of this year’s Children’s Chapel (during the 10:30 service) and for 4 th -graders through 12 th graders and even adults, we’ll have our own groups all during Christian Formation (9:15 to 10:15). For adults on Sunday morning, The Story will be presented as a special forum in the Parish Hall with a panel of presenters and reflections. For Youth & Family Ministry, Pastor Mary and our dedicated leadership have been hard at work outlining an incredible year ahead with new programs and activities. In addition to The Story, we will also offer small group opportunities for adults that will explore different topics such as in introduction and better understanding of the Episcopal Church, our basic faith, prayer and spiritual practices. For those who would like to have both a small group experience and explore The Story, they can do so as The Story will be repeated on Wednesday evenings, from 6:00-6:45. At that same time, we will continue to offer a book discussion group, beginning September 19 th with the book, Sabbath by Wayne Muller. Beyond these opportunities, Pastor Mary will be offering several Discipleship Groups. All of this is in addition to the Monday Morning Men’s Group (which resumes September 10 th ) and the Tuesday Morning Bible Study at 10am in the Guild Room. This year after the Bible Study a mid-week Eucharist follows at 11am in the Hearth Room. With so much now offered for all ages, now more than ever St. Thomas is where our faith, tradition and ministry come together, connecting our lives and mission for all ages! THE STORY FINDING YOUR STORY IN GOD’S STORY

Transcript of A Guide for Christian Formation at St. Thomas 2012-2013 · spiritual practices. For those who would...

Page 1: A Guide for Christian Formation at St. Thomas 2012-2013 · spiritual practices. For those who would like to have both a small group experience and explore The Story, they can do so

A Guide for Christian Formation at St. Thomas 2012-2013 Connecting our lives and mission for all ages!

This summer a great deal of energy, ideas and prayerful consideration has come together to help make opportunities for Christian Spiritual Formation even greater for all of us. The vision of Christian Spiritual Formation is simple: to help connect your life with an enriching and dynamic faith, no matter what stage you are in your age or experience. Christian Spiritual Formation is a life-long journey and relationship with God that grows and matures as it is nurtured by what we share as a faith community. It all begins with worship – In the Eucharist we offer our praise to God, affirm our identity and story of being part of God’s family, asked to consider what God continues to do in and through our lives as disciples and are fed, both literally and figuratively for the journey ahead. This said, it is more than a “common experience,” it is a shared feast, one that the entire family is invited to experience. Indeed, everything we are about comes out of what we share around the Lord’s Table. This is what makes the other programs we offer on Sunday mornings and beyond so very powerful. This program year, looks to be exciting with opportunities for every member of your home to come together, share and grow. A Family Gathered – In addition to our wonderful nursery (birth up to 4 years old) and programming for all ages during Christian Formation (9:15-10:15), St. Thomas will be making our main worship at 10:30 that much more “family-friendly,” accessible and engaging for our younger members. In addition to our popular activity bags that are available for our younger children to use during the service, there is something just for our younger members during the worship service itself. Beginning on September 16th, our Children’s Chapel returns! Families arrive together for worship and after the opening Prayer Collect and Hymn of Praise, our Pre-K’s up to 3rd graders are invited to have their own “Service of the Word.” Here in Children’s Chapel, the children experience the story, music and a simplified message meant just for them, returning to join their families before the announcements (at the Peace). This would also be a convenient opportunity for families who wish, to have their toddler join them from the nursery, so that families are then able to experience the Holy Communion together, gathered the Lord’s Table. We believe this blends the best of all possible experiences for you and our children together. For those families who wish, they are always welcome to have their children remain with them throughout worship. There are opportunities for 3rd grade and up to even help with worship! Christian Formation moves beyond worship and into special experiences and gatherings for all ages, both on Sundays and even beyond. This year the whole parish has the opportunity to walk through the Bible, exploring The Story, the story of God, God’s People and how this is still our own story. In 31 sessions (spanning from September through May), we each can journey from Creation to Revelation in way that is engaging for all ages, each in different groups. Our younger members will experience The Story as part of this year’s Children’s Chapel (during the 10:30 service) and for 4th-graders through 12th graders and even adults, we’ll have our own groups all during Christian Formation (9:15 to 10:15). For adults on Sunday morning, The Story will be presented as a special forum in the Parish Hall with a panel of presenters and reflections. For Youth & Family Ministry, Pastor Mary and our dedicated leadership have been hard at work outlining an incredible year ahead with new programs and activities. In addition to The Story, we will also offer small group opportunities for adults that will explore different topics such as in introduction and better understanding of the Episcopal Church, our basic faith, prayer and spiritual practices. For those who would like to have both a small group experience and explore The Story, they can do so as The Story will be repeated on Wednesday evenings, from 6:00-6:45. At that same time, we will continue to offer a book discussion group, beginning September 19th with the book, Sabbath by Wayne Muller. Beyond these opportunities, Pastor Mary will be offering several Discipleship Groups. All of this is in addition to the Monday Morning Men’s Group (which resumes September 10th) and the Tuesday Morning Bible Study at 10am in the Guild Room. This year after the Bible Study a mid-week Eucharist follows at 11am in the Hearth Room. With so much now offered for all ages, now more than ever St. Thomas is where our faith, tradition and ministry come together, connecting our lives and mission for all ages!

T H E S T O R YF I N D I N G YO U R S T O RY I N G O D ’ S S T O RY

JOIN US FOR A JOURNEY THROUGH THE STORY!

The Story is a book of selections from the Bible, arranged chronologically, that reads like a novel. During this unique 31-week experience, every member of the family reads their own version of The Story. Come discover together with us how our story is found in God’s story!

The Story is for every member of the family!

Page 2: A Guide for Christian Formation at St. Thomas 2012-2013 · spiritual practices. For those who would like to have both a small group experience and explore The Story, they can do so

Book Study Wednesdays, 6-7:00 pm, Starts September 19

Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives by Wayne Muller

How about some Rest in the middle of the Fall Rush?

Using this delightful book, Pastor Mary will be reflecting on Sabbath…the many ways toinvite this gift into our busy lives, and what can happen to our spirits, relationships, work,communities and families if we do.

Each week will focus on one aspect of Sabbath Keeping, with some reading, conversation,prayer and a discipline you can take with you to practice during the week.

No need to read ahead!! The chapters are short enough that we will read them together when we gather.

Discipleship Group

Do you want to deepen your relationship with God? Is your spirit hungry for something in addition to a book study or Sunday morning discussion? Are you looking for some companions on the spiritual journey?

Pastor Mary will be starting Discipleship groups this Fall. These weekly groups willgather for two hours around breakfast, lunch or dinner. You don’t cook! Just come andbe fed body, soul and spirit. The soulfeast will include Bible study, the teaching andpracticing of many different prayer disciplines, fellowship and community.

For more details or to sign up, contact Pastor Mary or come on Sunday,September 23, at 12 noon to a Introduction to Discipleship Group gathering.

Small Group Night for Youth (grades 7-12)5:30-7:30 pm, beginning October 21

Two Sundays a month (1st & 3rd) join your friends for dinner and community. We will meet at Michael, MiChele and JohnBezney’s home for fun, food (you will learn to cook with your friends), passionate play, and sacred sharing. You willdiscover the gift of having a safe place and supportive relationships to ask questions about ANYTHING (relationships, whatyou might be when you grow up, God, dating, etc).

Our time together will also include field trips and service projects.It’sfriendship at a whole different level!

To sign up, contact Pastor Mary ([email protected]).

Page 4 St. Thomas Tidings, September 2012

Youth and Family Ministry

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Page 5St. Thomas Tidings, September 2012

Youth Retreat – October 5-7All 7th-12th Graders

Are you ready to try to Zipline for the first time? Or maybe again?Enjoy a movie night with your friends? Spend some time with Fall beauty in the woods? Oxyball anyone? Build a labyrinth and then pray in it?

Come on this Fall’s Youth Retreat at Camp Kern and find out. While we “do” a lot of stuff, what we really do is make goodfriends. If you came canoeing or made it to MT Top this Summer, then reconnect with the friends you made there. If youcouldn’t join us, come discover why retreats are the best part of our youth program! We’ll have a great weekend, and futureyouth events will never be the same afterwards. They will be BETTER!

You’ll be getting registration forms and details in the mail. And yes, you can bring a friend as long as we have space. Solet Pastor Mary know early!

Cost: $140. If expense is a consideration, scholarships will be available.

Confirmation (9th-12th grade)Spend a year on a Spiritual High Adventure

This year Confirmation will be offered to youth ready to dive into the deep endof the spiritual pool. We will study scripture, practice prayer (in all kinds ofinteresting ways: clay, walking, art, music), visit monasteries, learn from thepoor, explore how God speaks to us through creation (camping, backpacking,canoeing, etc), study other faiths, consider fasting, hear God’s voice insilence…and so much more!

The adventure begins with a retreat and ends with a pilgrimage to Washington,DC and includes all kinds of field trips in between.

Come hear the details Sunday, October 7, 5:30 pm.

Children's Chapel returns!

Our Children's Chapel will be back as part of the 10:30 am service, beginningSunday, September 16. The special service is for children ages 6 and younger.Children begin in church with their families, leave following the "Gloria," and returnat the Peace. If you are interested in volunteering with the Chapel service, pleasecontact Carlton Monroe at [email protected]. We are looking forworship and music leaders to help once a month. It's easy and fun!

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2012-2013 Ministry Program Year-at-a-Glance … Major highlights with even more to come!

St. Thomas, Terrace Park Program Year 2012-2013 Highlights-at-a-Glance

Sunday Liturgical Calendar "The Story" Youth Program Please Note Sun@4pm

August 26, 2012 Pr.16 Canoe, Pool Party & BBQ / TW Canoe, Pool Part & BBQ / TW Dinner

September 2, 2012 Pr.17 Holiday Weekend

September 9, 2012 Pr.18/Kick-Off Ministry Fair & Open House Eucharist & Prayer

September 16, 2012 Pr.19 Creation: The beginning of Life as we know it (09/22) IPM Stomp Out - 5K Taize

September 23, 2012 Pr.20 God Builds a Nation Youth Retreat Weekend Bach Vespers

September 30, 2012 Pr.21 Joseph: From Slave to Deputy Pharoh Thomaston Woods Dinner Thomaston Woods Dinner Eucharist

October 7, 2012 Pr.22 Deliverance Youth Retreat Weekend Eucharist & Prayer

October 14, 2012 Pr.23 New Commands and a New Covenant Taize

October 21, 2012 Pr.24 Wandering Small Group Sunday Bach Vespers

October 28, 2012 Pr.25 The Battle Begins Thomaston Woods Dinner Thomaston Woods Dinner Eucharist

November 4, 2012 All Saints' Sunday A Few Good Men…and Women Small Group Sunday Baptism Sunday Eucharist & Prayer

November 11, 2012 Pr.27 The Faith of a Foreign Woman Bach Vespers

November 18, 2012 Pr.28 Standing Tall, Falling Hard Small Group Sunday Celebration Sunday Taize

November 25, 2012 Pr.29/Christ the King SundayFrom Shepherd to King Thomaston Woods Dinner Holiday Weekend / TW Eucharist

December 2, 2012 Advent 1 Small Group Sunday (Sat) C w/ Santa Eucharist & Prayer

December 9, 2012 Advent 2 The Trials of a King (Sat) Cookie Caper Bach Vespers

December 16, 2012 Advent 3 The King Who Had It All Small Group Sunday "Boxing Day" Taize

December 23, 2012 Advent 4 A Kingdom Torn in Two Holiday Weekend/L&C Lessons & Carols

December 30, 2012 1st Sun aft Christmas Holiday Weekend / NewYear's Retreat Eucharist

January 6, 2013 Epiphany God's Messengers Small Group Sunday Service of Light Eucharist & Prayer

January 13, 2013 1st Sunday After/Baptism of our LordThe Beginning of the End (of the K of Israel) Baptism Sunday Bach Vespers

January 20, 2013 2nd Sun. after the EpiphanyThe Kingdom's Fall Small Group Sunday Holiday Weekend Taize

January 27, 2013 3rd Sun. after the Epiphany Thomaston Woods Dinner Annual Meeting / TW Eucharist

February 3, 2013 4th Sun. after the EpiphanyDaniel in Exile SouperBowl / Small Group Sun Boy Scout Sun/SouperBowl Eucharist & Prayer

February 10, 2013 Last Sunday After EpiphanyThe Return Home **Shrove Tuesday is Feb 12** **SPECIAL TBD** Taize

February 17, 2013 1st Sunday of Lent The Queen of Beauty and Courage Small Group Sunday Holiday Weekend Bach Vespers

February 24, 2013 2nd Sunday of Lent Rebuilding the Walls Thomaston Woods Dinner Thomaston Woods Dinner Eucharist

March 3, 2013 3rd Sunday of Lent The Birth of the King Small Group Sunday Eucharist & Prayer

March 10, 2013 4th Sunday of Lent Jesus' Ministry Begins Taize

March 17, 2013 5th Sunday of Lent No Ordinary Man Small Group Sunday Eucharist

March 24, 2013 Palm Sunday Passion Sun St.John Passion

March 31, 2013 Easter Day Thomaston Woods Dinner Easter / TW Easter Eucharist

April 7, 2013 2nd Sunday of Easter Jesus, the Son of God Small Group Sunday Baptism Sunday Eucharist & Prayer

April 14, 2013 3rd Sunday of Easter The Hour of Darkness Bach Vespers

April 21, 2013 4th Sunday of Easter The Resurrection Small Group Sunday Taize

April 28, 2013 5th Sunday of Easter New Beginnings Thomaston Woods Dinner Thomaston Woods Dinner Eucharist

May 5, 2013 6th Sunday of Easter Paul's Mission Small Group Sunday Eucharist & Prayer

May 12, 2013 7th Sunday of Easter Paul's Final Days Mother's Day Taize

May 19, 2013 Pentecost The End of Time Small Group Sunday Last Day of Formation/Baptism Sun Evensong

May 26, 2013 Trinity Sunday Thomaston Woods Dinner Holiday Weekend / TW Eucharist

June 2, 2013 2 Sun after Pent-Pr4

June 9, 2013 Pr.5 MTOP Commissioning

June 16, 2013 Pr.6 (06/15) Group#1 - MTOP Father's Day

June 23, 2013 Pr.7

June 30, 2013 Pr.8 Thomaston Woods Dinner Thomaston Woods Dinner

July 7, 2013 Pr.9 MTOP Commissioning MTOP Commissioning

July 14, 2013 Pr.10 (07/13) Group#2 - MTOP

July 21, 2013 Pr.11 MTOP Celebration MTOP Celebration

July 28, 2013 Pr.12 Thomaston Woods Dinner Thomaston Woods Dinner

August 4, 2013 Pr.13

August 11, 2013 Pr.14

August 18, 2013 Pr.15

August 25, 2013 Pr.16 Canoe, Pool Party & BBQ / TW Pool Part & BBQ / TW

September 1, 2013 Pr.17 Holiday Weekend

September 8, 2013 Pr.18/Kick-Off Sunday Ministry Fair