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), School for the Spirit (an occasional 6-8 week evening program of fellowship over dinner followed by small group classes on various topics), and 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. Look for updates in our bulletins and weekly eBlast.
- Small group Bible Studies at the following times: Thursday weekly at 10:30 AM online via Zoom, and our monthly Saturday Morning Breakfast Bible Study, held the third Saturday of each month at 8 AM -- currently online via Zoom. Weekday Bible studies are usually led by clergy and/or seminarians, and the Breakfast Bible Study may be led by an experienced lay leader. 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 -- with some utilizing a hybrid format, meeting in the Zabriskie Parish Hall with a live Zoom feed -- to study the application of contemplative Benedictine 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. Look for our next retreat early this December.
- 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
- Senior Adult Ministry and Fellowship activities: Immanuel has an active community of older adults who hold regular events that often include educational opportunities and field trips. Generally these are advertised in worship service bulletins, the weekly eBlast, and on the Senior Adult Ministry and Fellowship website page 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), School for the Spirit (an occasional 6-8 week evening program of fellowship over dinner followed by small group classes on various topics), and 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. Look for updates in our bulletins and weekly eBlast.