Sunday Adult Formation: A Way into the Heart of Things | St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Sunday, March 19, 2023, 9:30 AM

Sunday Adult Formation: A Way into the Heart of Things

starting Sunday, Feb 26, 9:30-10:15, library and on Zoom

A way into the heart of things – Part 1: OUR Suffering & Death (Feb 26-Mar 12)

We humans have an inborn desire to avoid suffering and to seek comfort, if not outright pleasure. We resist the pain and anguish caused by the various blows we suffer in life, such as failures, losses, and even the struggles that come with the normal transitions of life. Yet these events and experiences are the primary triggers that mold our characters and expand our spiritual awareness. They are the road for clarifying our values and the opening of our hearts. Without life’s “slings and arrows,” we are likely to remain spiritually small and stilted. This class for the first half of Lent, led by Art France, explores these different troubling experiences and the value of facing them, even in the face of strenuous internal and external protestations. It appears the cliché, “no pain, no gain,” actually does express some wisdom.

A way into the heart of things – Part 2: JESUS’ Suffering & Death (Mar 19-Apr 2)

The class for the second half of Lent, led by Denny Clark, theologically wrestles specifically with Jesus’ suffering and death, and with how that relates to the shared human experience of suffering and death which we ALL encounter. Was Jesus saved from suffering/death? Does Jesus save us from suffering/death? Apparently ‘No’ … and ‘No.’ SO, what do we mean when we speak of Jesus as “Savior,” as we Christians often do? How do we unpack our own theological affirmations and clichés? What is the significance of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection? Let’s talk!

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Tags: Lent / Adult Formation / Sunday Adult Formation / Bible Study / Learn / Featured Events

We are a church of loving, committed and searching Christians who value diversity and cherish the gifts of young and old alike. We welcome ALL God’s children into our sacramental community, respecting the dignity of every person as we are called to a ministry of reconciliation and inclusion. You are welcome here as God’s own.

Like the apostle Thomas, we encounter the risen Christ in our lives together and find ourselves transformed.

We invite you to worship, learn, and serve with us!

We know finding a church can be hard. We were all new to St. Thomas once, so let us tell you a little about ourselves.

We are named for the apostle Thomas, whose life was changed when he encountered the risen Christ. His confession of faith, “My Lord and my God,” is printed above our altar.

Like Thomas, we encounter the risen Christ in our life together and find our lives transformed. We invite you to worship, learn, and serve with us.

St. Thomas was founded in 1958 and is a congregation of about 400-600 people. A few folks have been here for a long time, but a lot of us are newcomers! Some of us grew up as Episcopalians, some of us came from other Christian traditions, and some of us have no religious background at all!

It is easy to join St. Thomas as a member. Just tell us you want to belong, and we'll enroll you as a baptized member of the congregation. If you've never been baptized, contact Rev. Grace to schedule a time for Holy Baptism. We look forward to being in touch with you.

Contact Patty in the church office at [email protected] with questions.

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Our Stewardship Committee decided to focus this year on sharing the “St. Thomas Story” with our wider community. “Love God. Love Every Person. Learn and Serve Together.” summarizes our mission.

St Thomas is a blessed community of the faithful. We look what is needed in the year to come, with your support.

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Everyone plays a part in creating our beautiful life of worship, learning, and service through St. Thomas.

What part will you play in the coming year?
Our Ministry Sign-up Form highlights ways to participate and serve in the life of St. Thomas over the next year. Please review prayerfully. Mark the things you are already doing and wish to continue along with the activities you would like to join for the next year.

Thank you for for the part you play in the beautiful tapestry that is St. Thomas as we worship, learn, serve and gather together.

Click here for the 2022-2023 Ministry Sign-Up Form.

We continue to invite gifts above your pledge to the Continuing Faithfulness Capital Fund so we are prepared to address major capital needs as they arise. There is still more to be done, and we are determined to meet these needs in stride with a reasoned and forward-looking approach.

The pet memorial garden is a garden for the remembrance of our beloved pets. It provides a permanent resting place for the pets who live on in our memories and in our hearts. It is a place to give thanks to God for the companionship of beloved animals and to commit ourselves to care for all of God’s creatures. Engraved bricks are arranged in the garden around the cross. Engraved bricks are available for purchase as a permanent way to remember your pet. The fee covers, the brick, installation of the brick, maintenance of the garden, and a donation to PAWS Humane Society of Columbus, Georgia.

Learn More Brick Order Form