Lent – Pentecost 2008

Outward Sign, Inward Grace: An Introduction to the History, Theology, and Practice of the Sacraments of the Church

February 3rd – February 24th
9:30 am – 10:15am in the Parish Hall

Can you name the seven Sacraments of the Church? Do you understand how a sacrament works? Do you know what practices in antiquity and the early church influenced the formation and practice of the Christian Sacraments? The Sacramental Rites of the Church, the two Great Sacraments instituted by Christ himself and the five traditional sacraments, are a chief way God communicates the hope and love God has for us through the physical actions of the Church and its ministers. The Prayer Book catechism says that “Sacraments sustain our present (Christian) hope and anticipate its future fulfillment.” Yet, as has often been the case, even the sacraments are not without controversy and debate. Much of the Reformation in 14th and 15th Centuries was waged on questions of Sacraments, what happened through and in them, and who could perform them.

Come spend the month of February getting reacquainted with the Christian Sacraments. We will walk through the liturgical rites and actions, discuss the historical and cultural context that affected their development in the West, and get into the theology of what exactly the teachings of the church say about how sacraments function and what they offer to our present and future lives.

To Walk With the Lord to Calvary: Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum

March 2nd – March 16th
9:30 am – 10:15am in the Parish Hall

Every year, the church marks the week that begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Great Vigil of Easter as the holiest week of the year. It is during that week that the church walks with Christ to the cross, experiences the suffering and loss, and then, in the darkness, lights a new flame that leads us to salvation. Explore the heart of the Christian faith, Holy Week and the Triduum services, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil, in this three week class that brings us to Holy Week 2008 at St. Peter’s. We will turn to scripture and the Book of Common Prayer, hear from saints, Bishops, and theologians, and discuss the insights this liturgical faith journey offers to our own lives and to the world today.

Coffee and Conversation with the Rector

March 23rd, Easter Sunday – March 30th
9:30 am – 10:00am in the Parish Hall

Coffee, donuts, and good conversation with the Rector on any topic you want to bring to the table, what more could you ask for through the Easter week holiday!?!

An Introduction to Christian Spirituality

April 6th – April 27th
9:30 am – 10:15am in the Parish Hall

Many people think Christianity is simply going to church on Sunday, studying your Bible, and trying to live “a good life.” Certainly, those are important pieces of the Christian puzzle, but they barely begin to scratch the surface of what 2,000 years of history, practice, and tradition have given us in the Church. Christian spirituality is rich and vibrant for those interested in finding fulfilling ways of putting their faith into practice in their daily lives. Come hear from St. Gregory of Nyssa, St. Julian of Norwich, the Anglican Divines, and many others, learn about prayer practices, from Rosaries to Christian meditation, understand Icons and Christian art, and delve into the theology and history that supports our Christian spiritual traditions.

Our Father Abraham: Finding the Connections between Christianity, Islam, and Judaism

May 4th – May 18th
9:30 am – 10:15am in the Parish Hall

Join Father Donavan for an intriguing exploration of the three great Abrahamic faiths, their difference and their convergences. From the perspective of the Christian New Testament, we will explore the Jewish Scriptures and the Koran, discuss the core understandings of God and faith in both Judaism and Islam, and try come to a better understanding of our common beliefs in one God. Fr. Donavan will also share experiences from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, talk about current controversies and interfaith dialogue, and share his passion for the sacred music of Sephardic Judaism and Sufism in Islam.

If you have any questions about Christian Education offerings at St. Peter’s, please call the Parish Office at (859) 987-2760.