St. Paul’s offers a wide range of opportunities for adult formation (adult education and spiritual growth). Please refer to the home page for additional offerings and activities.
đź—“ All Are Welcome: Belonging in the Christian Community (Fall 2021)
On Sundays this Fall (10:15–11:00 a.m.) in the sanctuary, join us for conversations about what it means for us to be members of the Beloved Community.
Think of it as a 101 course about the church universal—what it means for us to belong to one another and commit to welcoming the stranger into our midst. As we engage these conversations, we are excited to welcome Laura Steed-Lorino, the Executive Director of L’Arche North Carolina: an inclusive community in formation where adults with and without intellectual disabilities share life and friendships.
Participants may attend this lecture series in-person or view it live online. Masking is required for all indoors at St. Paul’s, and all gatherings will take place in accordance with existing local and diocesan pandemic guidelines. Please refer to the Looking Ahead page on our website for more information.
If you would like to view this lecture series online, please register ahead of time here.
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 10/10/21 | Episcopal 101: What Is the Episcopal Church? | The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista |
| 10/17/21 | L’Arche: A Community of Belonging for People with and Without Disabilities | Laura Steed-Lorino, Executive Director, L’Arche NC |
| 10/24/21 | Episcopal 102: What does it mean to belong to the Episcopal Church? | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 10/31/21 | Episcopal 103: The Practice of Belonging in Scripture | The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista |
| 11/7/21 | Episcopal 104: The Diocese of North Carolina (Bishop’s Forum) | The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman |
Adult Formation Newsletter
đź—“ Living into Easter Hope (Spring 2021)
On Sundays during the Easter Season (10:15–11:15 a.m.), join us for conversations about hope: by reaching into our rich tradition of worship and Scripture, we will explore the ways that we witness to Easter Resurrection in daily life. We will also welcome Carey Phelps of Family Promise for a conversation about what new hope looks like for those who struggle to find safe housing in Wake County.
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 4/18/21 | From Scarcity to Abundance: The Book of Ruth | The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista |
| 4/25/21 | The Words We Say, the Roles we Play: Eucharistic Prayers | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 5/2/21 | Family Promise: Helping Families Find Safe, Affordable, Permanent Housing | Carey Phelps, Development & Volunteer Manager, Family Promise |
| 5/9/21 | The Words We Say, the Roles we Play: Prayers of the People | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 5/16/21 | The Words We Say, the Roles we Play: Clergy and Laity | The Rev. George Adamik |
đź—“ Building Bridges, Living Into Our Baptismal Promises (Lent 2021)
On Sundays in Lent (10:15–11:15 a.m.), join us for a forum series on the relationship between our worship life and what we do beyond church walls. You will only need to register once in order to attend any or all the sessions.
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 2/21/21 | What Is the Baptismal Covenant? | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 2/28/21 | Liturgy and the Moral Life | The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista |
| 3/7/21 | Dorcas Ministries: Responding to a World in Need | The Rev. Dr. Rose Cornelius, Development Director, Dorcas Ministries |
| 3/14/21 | The Legacy of the Black Church in the Diocese of North Carolina | The Rev. Kathy Walker, Missioner for Black Ministries, Episcopal Diocese of NC |
| 3/21/21 | The Liturgical Year in the Jewish Tradition | Rabbi Ariel Edery, Beth Shalom, Wake County |
đź—“ Preparing the Way: Meeting Jesus Anew (Winter 2021)
On Sunday mornings in the season after Epiphany (10:15 – 11:15 a.m.), join St. Paul’s clergy for a forum series on the identity of the one in whom we place our faith: who is Jesus, the one called Christ? What does it mean to follow in his steps? You will only need to register once in order to attend any or all of the three sessions.
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 1/10/21 | The History of Christ (Part 1) | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 1/17/21 | The History of Christ (Part 2) | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 1/24/21 | Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Mark: An Introduction | The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista |
| 2/7/21 | Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Mark (Part 2) | The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista |
| 2/14/21 | Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Mark (Part 3) | The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista |
Advent Series: Contemplation, Hope, and Joyful Expectation (Advent 2020)
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 12/6/20 | Making Room: the Contemplative Life in Advent | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 12/13/20 | Awakening Hope: Spiritual Disciplines in Times of Uncertainty | The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista |
| 12/20/20 | Tidings of Comfort and Joy: Living a Life of Joyful Expectation | The Rev. J. Carr Holland |
Between the Times: Being God’s People in a Fragile World (Fall 2020)
Recordings of the following classes from our Fall 2020 series are available on YouTube.
| Date | Topic | Presenter |
|---|---|---|
| 9/13/20 | Anxiety in the Midst of the Pandemic (video) | Phillip M Bass, MDiv, ThM, MA, LCMHC, NCC |
| 9/20/20 | Seek the City’s Welfare: Jeremiah (video) | The Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista |
| 9/27/20 | Resilience – Childhood Trauma/Prevention/Hope (video) | St. Paul’s Resilience Ministry |
| 10/4/20 | Seek the City’s Welfare: Jeremiah (Part II) (video) | The Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista |
| 10/11/20 | Sing Us the Songs of Zion: The Psalms in Exile (video) | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 10/18/20 | Sing Us the Songs of Zion: The Psalms in Exile (Part II) (video) | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 10/25/20 | Faithful Citizenship: Where Do We Go From Here (video) | The Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista & Aleta McClenney |
| 11/1/20 | Conversation with Our Bishop Suffragan | The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple |
| 11/8/20 | St. Paul’s Parish Meeting | Register for this special event here |
| 11/15/20 | Moving Forward: The Liturgical Year in a Fragile World | The Rev. George Adamik |
| 11/22/20 11/29/20 | THANKSGIVING BREAK | New forum series begins on December 6 |
Adult Formation Ministries
Julian Gathering
This small group gathers on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month (9:15 AM in the “Cry Room”, main church building) for contemplative prayer and the study of Julian of Norwich. Julian’s book, The Revelations of Divine Love is often acknowledged as one of the world’s great spiritual classics. Extra copies of the book are available at each meeting. Newcomers are welcome to join the group at any time.
Who was Julian of Norwich? She was a 14th century mystic and author of The Revelations of Divine Love, considered one of the great spiritual classics.
What does a 14th century mystic have to say to 21st century Christians? Her message of God’s enduring, ever-present love continues to offer a timeless message of hope and comfort. Julian’s insights serve as a catalyst for discussions on prayer, faith, gratitude, and other spiritual topics.
Contact: Lanny Wase, lannywase@mac.com, 919-466-9050.