The Adult Education Committee presents educational events on a regular basis.  Check the home page and the calendar for upcoming events.  Examples of past classes include:

• Who Wrote the Bible
• Puzzling Parables
• Changing Paradigms in Christianity

These opportunities are also available:

• Book Clubs:  We have two different book clubs that meet on a regular basis.
• Education for Ministry (EFM).  A program of theological education for the laity. 
  St. Francis Contact: Tana Perotin. 
• Lenten Soup Suppers and Summer Salad Suppers:  Examples of programs have included a focus on the liturgies of Holy Week, a whirlwind overview of the bible, and a lighthearted look at some of the first apostles.
• Labyrinth:  We have a permanent labyrinth installed on the patio and events are planned from time-to-time, including annual Advent Quiet Days.
• Fran Williamson Library:  We have a well-stocked, well organized library.  Not only are there many books focusing on theology, the bible, and spirituality, but there is also a lot of history resources and a nice collection of fiction.

There are many ways that we can enrich our faith.  Do you think you might want to lead or help organize any of the following?

• Bible Study:  Can be an ongoing opportunity, or a special series.  Can be held between services or on a weekday evening.  Different styles of bible study may appeal to different people.   For example, the "African Bible Study" method appeals to some, and others like the "Ignatian" method (from St. Ignasius).
• Recreational Groups:  The word is re-create:  reanimate, revive, quicken, vivify, revivify ... to impart fresh life to; refresh mentally or physically.  See "Opportunities to Recreate."
• Small Groups:  Forming small groups is a good way for folks with similar interests to focus on a ministry, or a topic.   Groups can be all men, all women or coed.  See suggested topics.
• Quiet Days/Retreats:  A "Quiet Day" is like a mini-retreat -- a day spent in prayer and meditation.   St. Francis has held womens' retreats in the past, and we know there is a interest is doing this again.
• For the 2002 Advent Quiet Day, St. Francis hosted a portable labyrinth.  Read more about Labyrinths here.

 
Suggested Forum or Group Topics

• Sharing travel and pilgrimage experiences, e.g. show slides of trip to the Holy Land.
• Health and medicine
• Dealing with Death and Dying
• History of the Book of Common Prayer
• Monasticism
• Mysticism
• Ecumenicisim, e.g. between Anglican Communion and ECLA (Lutheran) 
• Sacred art
• Liturgical art
• Liturgical choreography
• The Church's Teaching Series
• What it means to be an Episcopalian
• Our Jewish heritage
• Commonalities and differences between three great religions - Judaism, Christianity, Islam.
  • When does prophecy end?  Does prophecy ever end?