Here at St. John's we understand that our relationship with God is constantly maturing. It takes time, experience, and an eagerness to learn His heart in order to grow in the knowledge of what that means in our lives as individuals, families, and as a parish.
Christian Formation for Children:
Experience is central to spiritual formation, especially as it relates
to children. Given the complexities of peoples’ schedules and the limitedness of time, we are trying a
new approach to spiritual formation with children. Once a month, the church community will gather for
a “Festive Sunday,” when after worship, we enjoy a meal and fellowship together, along with an intergenerational
program / activity about the particular season or major celebration of the Church. In addition
to the once a month Festive Gatherings, we will help make each Sunday Eucharist that much more
connective to your child. Besides the modeling that you as a parent (or grandparent) can provide, we
will have ‘equipped’ activity bags available for Pre & Kindergarten, as well as Elementary grade levels.
More than some fun activities to do during the service (we’ll have those too), there will be resources to
share as a family based on that particular week’s lessons. It is our goal to provide these resources that
families need to help grow their child’s spirituality throughout the week as well as on Sundays. Similarly,
the nursery will remain available on a self-service basis, meaning that parents are free to use the
nursery with their child, as they need to; knowing that children are always welcome to be in the midst of
the worship first and foremost.
Christian Formation for Adults:
With adults and young adults, we are trying some new
and different ways to best meet the needs of our spiritual lives. Worship remains at the center of what
we are all about and to best adapt to different schedules, in addition to our Sunday morning services, this year an evening service will also be added at 7:30pm. The later time will allow for more flexibility, as well
as provide people who are returning to town from the weekend an opportunity to worship. We will still
have a mid-week service on Wednesdays at noon in the chapel; and now the evening service will return
to the nave proper. Responding to suggestions, the Sunday evening service will feature:
- Evening Prayer (either said or sung) on the 1st Sunday
- Holy Eucharist on the 2nd & 4th Sundays and sung
- Compline on the 3rd Sunday each month.
In addition to the new service, there are new groups forming and you’re invited! While book groups are hardly a new idea, it has become clear that a new and different format is needed today.
Join us any time the“Brown Bag Book Group.” Following the noon service, from 12:45 to 1:30 you can bring a lunch, bring yourself and the book we’re discussing as we explore aspects of our faith through engaging literature. Come give it a try – No experience needed. Friends are welcome and encouraged to attend!!
Our featured book for Epiphany is Creation to Revelation: A Brief Account of the Biblical Story by James O. Chatham
Pastor emeritus James O. Chatham presents Creation to Revelation: A Brief Account
oh the Biblical Story, a condensed guide to biblical scripture from Genesis to
Revelation. Spelling out the narrative of the Bible in layman's language across
twenty-six short segments, Creation to Revelation is meant not to replace the Bible,
but to entice the reader to read the Bible with a fuller understanding of what is happening,
and improve one’s comprehension of it for the sake of biblical studies and
personal understanding of its message. Sample questions for deliberation at the
close of each chapter round out this excellent abbreviated survey of the story that
scripture has to tell us. [Cf. Midwest Book Review]