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ENGAGE IN FAITH
FOR ADULTS

Adult Formation

Engage the Mind

 

ADULT FORUM:

  • Epiphany Series: The Walk - Pastor Adam Hamilton    (1/8-2/19)

​ How do we walk with Christ: daily follow him, grow in him, and faithfully serve him? In the Gospels, Jesus modeled for us the Christian spiritual life. The apostles taught it in their    writings. And the Church has, through the last 2,000 years, sought to pursue this Christian spiritual life. In The Walk, Adam Hamilton focuses on five essential spiritual practices rooted in Jesus' own walk with God and taught throughout the New Testament (worship/prayer, study, serve, give, share). Each of these practices is intended as part of our daily walk with Christ while also being an essential part of growing together in the church. In each chapter, Hamilton explores one of these practices, its New Testament foundation, and what it looks like to pursue this practice daily in our personal life and together in the life of the church. Join Fr. Brad as we explore these five essential practices and deepen our lives in God. 

Contact: Fr. Brad Smith

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  • Lent Series: What's So Amazing About Grace - Philip Yancey (2/26-4/2) 

Grace is the church's great distinctive. It's the one thing the world cannot duplicate, and the one thing it craves above all else--for only grace can bring hope and transformation to a   jaded world. In What's So Amazing About Grace? award-winning author Philip Yancey explores grace at street level. If grace is God's love for the undeserving, he asks, then what does it look like in action? And how are Christians doing at lavishing grace on a world that knows far more of cruelty and unforgiveness than it does of mercy? Join Fr. Brad in Lent as dive into God's grace with Philip Yancey, preparing for the gift awaiting us at Easter. Contact: Fr. Brad Smith

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  • Easter Series: Unafraid:Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times - Adam Hamilton (4/16-5/21)

​​ It's hard to overstate the extent to which fear, anxiety, and worry permeate our lives today. Fear wreaks havoc on our relationships and communities: leading to poor decisions;    preventing the pursuits of fulfillment and joy. When Hamilton surveyed his congregation on how fear affects them, 2,400 people responded—and what they said was eye-opening. Eighty percent admitted to living with moderate or significant levels of fear. How about us in Charlotte? Unafraid is Hamilton's response. Drawing on recent research, inspiring real-life examples, and fresh biblical insight, he uses a mixture of facts and faith to help us understand and counter fears related to such outsize perils as death and illness, as well as the everyday anxieties all of us encounter. He invites us to face our fears with a bias of hope, examine our fears in light of the facts, attack our anxieties with action, release our cares to God. Writing with generosity and intelligence, Hamilton shows how we can develop sustaining spiritual practices and embrace Jesus’s recurring counsel, “Do not be afraid,” words to live by as we celebrate the Resurrection. Join Fr. Brad during the Easter season for this exciting series.

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BIBLE STUDIES:

  • Monday Morning Bible Study (7:30-8:00, 204/05 & Zoom) Bo Proctor - This occasion is preceded by the Daily Office of Morning Prayer, 7:00-7:30 in 204/05 & Zoom) CLICK HERE to go to the Zoom Button on this website.

  • Tuesday Morning Bible Study (Women's Bible Study, 10:30-11:30am, Choir Room) Debby Carlson

  • Wednesday Bible Study (LIFT - Learning in Faith Together, 11:00-12:30pm, Zoom) Laura McGinley - LIFT invites all who enjoy sharing different viewpoints, want to pray together and seek faithful engagement with others in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Contact Laura McGinley for the Zoom link.

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LATTES in LENT (Mon-Fri, 12:00-12:45, 2/23-4/5): 

Join Fr. Brad each weekday in Lent on ZOOM for some time to step back and reflect together on the day's readings from Richard Rohr's powerful book, Wondrous Encounters: Scripture in Lent. Order your copy and bring it with you. Do invite friends as this is open to EVERYONE. Zoom link ID: 81578499289

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ADULT CONFIRMATION:

The Diocese of North Carolina is offering a diocesan-wide adult confirmation 8-week program with Bishop Sam Rodman and Assistant Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson. This course is for adults (16 years and older) looking to grow more in your faith and learn the basics of our Episcopal tradition. Topics include: Following the Way of Jesus Christianity; God Jesus; Bible; Beliefs; The Anglican Way and the Sacraments; Church History; and the Trinitarian Life. There will also be time with Fr. Brad and Fr. Peter.

  • When: March 7-April 25 (7:00pm-8:00pm, ZOOM — the link will be sent via email to registrants a week before the class start date)

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  • Registration: Free but you must register. Click HERE.

 

Please notify Fr. Brad that you’ve registered or have any questions.

Engage the Mind

Engage the Spirit

Centering Prayer:

  • Monday (3:30-5:00pm, Chapel, Fr. Brad Smith)

  • Tuesday (10:30-12:00pm, 312, Kathy Petrie)

Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. It is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer - verbal, mental or affective prayer - into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Christ.  St. John’s frequently hosts Centering Prayer workshops, follow-up sessions, and retreats. Contact Fr. Brad Smith

 

​Lectio Divina:​​

  • ​Thursday (9:00-10:00am, Zoom, Fr. Brad Smith)

 "Divine reading," is an ancient practice of praying the Scriptures. During Lectio Divina, the practitioner listens to the text of the Bible with the "ear of the heart," as if he or she is in conversation with God, and God is suggesting the topics for discussion. The method of Lectio Divina includes moments of reading (lectio), reflecting on (meditatio), responding to (oratio) and resting in (contemplatio) the Word of God with the aim of nourishing and deepening one's relationship with the Divine. This is a ZOOM program. Contact Fr. Brad for an introduction and for the zoom link. ​

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Labyrinth (Tilson Hall): The labyrinth is a walking meditation, a path of prayer and an archetypal blueprint where psyche meets Spirit. It is a spiritual tool that can help you find your way; quieting the mind, opening the heart, and grounding the body. Some find answers to questions long asked, some find healing, creativity, a sense of wholeness. What will you find on your labyrinth journey? Questions, contact Toni Robinson

  • Jan 18, 2-7pm

  • Feb 15, 2-7pm

  • In Lent:

    • Feb 22, 2-7pm (Ash Wednesday)

    • Mar 8, 2-7pm

    • Mar 22, 2-7pm

    • Wed Apr 5, 2-7pm (Holy Week)

Evening Prayer & Rosary Group:

  • Thursday, 5:45-6:30pm, Chapel

Evening Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer as well as the Anglican Rosary. Visitors and new members are always welcome. No previous experience with the Rosary is necessary. Rosary beads, booklets of prayers and instructions are available for anyone who wishes to attend. The purpose of holding beads during prayer is to help an individual to focus, to become calm and to feel comfort. A collection of prayers, written intentionally for using the Anglican rosary pattern, keeps the group reading together as we pray. The Anglican Rosary (also called Episcopal, Protestant) is a blend of the traditional Roman Catholic Rosary and the Orthodox Jesus Prayer Rope. It was developed during the 1980’s as a focus for contemplative prayer and meditation. Contact: David Tipple

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Daughters of the King (DOK): 

The Order of the Daughters of the King is an order of women who have taken life vows of prayer, service, and evangelism.  Part of the ministry of this Order is devotion to regular prayer on behalf of the parish.  The St. Mary Magdalene Chapter of the Daughters of the King, chartered here at St. John’s, has taken on a practice of meeting monthly to pray for the concerns of the parish.  The Daughters of the King have also committed to praying daily and confidentially for concerns submitted for intercessory prayer.  Contact: Nancy Nye

Engage the Spirit

Engage the Body

Yoga:

  • Thursday, 10:00-11:00am, Parish Hall

This class is designed for beginners or those who want a fresh start.  God made human beings from the earth in his image, breathing his life into us.  Our class takes us back to our beginning to be grounded.  The breath is the bridge between the mind and the body.  The body is the temple for our spirit.  These two connections take us into our practice. CLICK HERE for more information.

Contact: Nancy Armstrong.

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St. John's Fly Fishers:

  • 3rd Thursday/month 6:30-8:00, 201)

It's about so much more than catching fish! Enjoying connection with the Divine majesty of nature, the St. John’s Fly Fishers serve Christ and further the Kingdom through a welcoming community of adult women and men (16 years or older) who share a passion for going to deep waters. We host Bible studies and faith development opportunities, clinics, instructional classes like fly tying, and of course head to the water. CLICK HERE to learn more. Contact: Craig Murden or Fr. Brad Smith

Tai Chi:

  • Tuesday, 6:00-7:00pm, Tilson Hall

  • $15.00/person/class (cash) due at the door

St. John's welcomes Sifu David Block (of "The Phoenix and Dragon Tai Chi & Kung Fu School"). Tai Chi is a martial art and also a form of “moving meditation” that calms the mind, relaxes the body and strengthens the spirit. Much of Tai Chi is practiced slowly and gently, and is ideal for people of all ages and health conditions. All are welcome.

Contact Fr. Brad Smith

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Golf Fellowship: Attention all women and men! Want to have fun with fellow members of St. John’s who share your passion for golf? This is the opportunity for you! CLICK HERE to sign up for this exciting fellowship which will include opportunities for 9 hole, 18 hole, weekday/weekend, and even occasional overnighters throughout the year at beautiful courses in our region.

Contact: Roddey Player

Engage the Body

Sacred Ground: A 10 Week Course

Sacred Ground is a part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.  This series is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people.  Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love. For more information contact Jackie John or Lauren Phillips

The Way Forward: Monthly Gatherings

​Meeting the 3rd Wednesday of each month (Rm 204/05) this ministry seeks to provide the parish with opportunities to fulfill the mission of the church, by engaging in conversations on a variety of social topics that lead to action, growth, and ultimately bringing us more closely together as a parish and a broader Charlotte community.  CLICK HERE for more information.

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The Way Forward Speaker Series

This series offers a variety of speakers that are open to the public. Check the church eblast for more information.

Engage the World

Engage the World
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