Adult Education
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We are all in the process of continuous formation and transformation as followers of Jesus. Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill offers many ways in which immersing ourselves in scripture, tradition, reason, and prayer, sometimes in the company of others, can help us grow more into the person God intends us to be.
In a combination of online and in-person settings, Immanuel offers the following ongoing and/or new ways for parishioners to deepen their understanding of scripture and tradition, their place and calling in God’s world, practical approaches to deeper prayer and engagement, and better understanding the various ministries and opportunities offered by Immanuel. |
Opportunities for adult spiritual formation and discipleship include:
Other adult formation and discipleship opportunities offered in the recent past but not currently available include Education for Ministry (EFM - a four year, weekly small group program of immersion in scripture and church history), Circle of Quiet (a Sunday morning small group contemplative prayer circle), and School for the Spirit (an occasional 6-8 week evening program of fellowship over dinner followed by small group classes on various topics). .
- Small group Bible Studies at the following times: (Wednesday weekly at 7:30 PM, Thursday weekly at 10:30 AM; Saturday weekly at 10:00 AM; and Saturday monthly at 8:00 AM). Bible studies may be led by clergy, seminarians, or lay leaders and may also be offered as a short-term opportunity during a holy season or summertime. Bible studies with contact information are announced weekly in church bulletins or eblasts.
- Confirmation, Reaffirmation, Reception, Inquirers: Catachumenate Class with adults considering Confirmation, Reaffirmation, or Reception, teenagers preparing for Confirmation, and inquirers. From an Episcopal perspective confirmation is what makes a person a full adult in the church. Contact clergy.
- Biweekly Benedictine Community: The Benedictine community meets first and third Tuesdays September through June via Zoom from 7-8 PM to study the application of contemplative Bendictine spirituality and how Benedictine values of hospitality, silence, and humility can guide us in today’s world; the community welcomes new participants. Contact the church office.
- Spiritual retreats during Advent and in Lent, often taking place in the rural peace and contemplative beauty of Holy Cross Abbey in Berryville, Virginia and led by clergy or seminarians, with time for discussion, prayer, study and silence. Scholarship assistance available to defray costs upon request. Contact the church office. Click here for information about, and the registration form for, the Lenten Retreat for March 24-26, 2023.
- A Wednesday evening social justice book group/Bible study which focused initially on issues of conquest and ethnicity in the context of the Book of Joshua, as well as on modern evangelical Native American insights; subsequently on feminist views and experience of spirituality; and an upcoming study of criminal justice and the Bible. Contact the church office.
- Sacred Ground dialogue circles developed by the national Episcopal Church examining issues of race, culture, and U.S. history in the context faith, family, and participants’ experience. Contact David Atwood or Kathryn Haskin.
- Forum Hours on many Sunday mornings, usually from September through June, for presentation and discussion. Forum hours during the year tend to be divided equally between those that address spiritual issues, issues of administration or organization within the parish, and issues of God’s calling to us in the world - outreach, social justice, creation care, and civic engagement. You can access the forum hour video archive here
- Opportunities for lay education at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS): As the "parish church" of the Virginia Theological Seminary, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill has ready access to an extraordinarily rich resource of scholarship and teaching. Click here for a sampling of future VTS offerings
Other adult formation and discipleship opportunities offered in the recent past but not currently available include Education for Ministry (EFM - a four year, weekly small group program of immersion in scripture and church history), Circle of Quiet (a Sunday morning small group contemplative prayer circle), and School for the Spirit (an occasional 6-8 week evening program of fellowship over dinner followed by small group classes on various topics). .