Adult Education
The adult program at Christ Church offers a variety of courses for parishioners to grow in their faith. Classes take place on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings or throughout the week. Special intergenerational events also take place during the church year.
Sunday Morning Programs
The following adult classes meet from September to May during the Sunday School Hour, from 9:45am to 10:45am each Sunday.
Forum - Led by Dean Timothy Kimbrough. This class will present a variety of theological, social and spiritual themes during the course of the year. Guest speakers will include Dr. Stanley Hauerwas, Dean Stafford, Sister Helen Prejean and Ellen Davis. (Parish Hall)
Centering Prayer - This group practices Centering prayer - a prayer of the heart, a prayer of simplicity, a prayer of faith, a prayer of simple regard; a method of reducing the obstacles to the gift of contemplative prayer and of facilitating the development of habits conducive to responding to the inspirations of the Spirit. The principal text for those interested in contemplative prayer is Thomas Keating’s book, Open Mind, Open Heart. (Chapel) Click HERE for more information.
Faith and Family Matters - This class is a discussion based class that focuses on issues related to faith-filled parenting and interpersonal relations. (810 Broadway Building)
Weekday Programs
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Formation Leadership Training - This adult learning experience encourages participants to explore their own faith in preparation for working with children from age three to six. This class meets for eighteen weeks on Tuesdays from 9am to 2pm. Registration required. Lunch and childcare provided. For more information, contact Becky Rochford at 255-7729.
Centering Prayer - meets year-round every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30pm and on Thursdays 12:15 - 1:05pm. For more information, please contact Mimi Shimmin 615.298.2483 (Tuesday) or Laura Copeland 615.500.4683 (Thursday). Click HERE for more information.
Companions in Christ - meets weekly for two hours. Participants prepare for their small group by reading, journalling and practicing various prayer disciplines. This experience is characterized by a deepening of spiritual awareness and a sense of fellowship. New groups form each fall. Registration required. You can sign up by contacting Becky Rochford.
Education For Ministry (EfM) - Education for Ministry (EfM) is a four-year study of scripture, theology, church history, ethics and ministry that meets weekly through the academic year. Blending academic and experiential learning, the course offers students a broad-based foundation of Christian faith and the tradition of the Church. It is an extension course of the School of Theology at the University of the South. Registration is required. Fee. Contact Becky Rochford.
Journey in Faith - meets weekly on Wednesday evenings beginning in October. The class will meet 6-8pm. This class is a modern adaptation of an ancient church process by which adults were prepared for entry into Christian faith and life. Participation in this class may also prepare adults for Confirmation in the Episcopal Church; Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows for those already confirmed; or Reception from the Roman and Eastern Catholic Churches. This class will be led by Dean Timothy Kimbrough and will meet in the Annex.
Wednesday Night Programs - Beginning October 5, dinner 5:30, program 6:30pm. Reservations required for dinner. Upcoming lectures will feature Sister Kathleen Flood (October 5, 12, 19), Dr. Amy-Jill Levine (October 26, November 2, 9, 16) and Victor Judge (February 29, March 7, 14, 21, 28. Childcare provided.
Education Symposia:
"Living Our Faith - at Home, at Work and in Community"
Dr. Ellen Davis - Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25, 2012.
Dr. Davis is Amos Ragan Kearns Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke University. Her lectures will explore how the biblical prophets may inform faithful responses to urgent ethical issues in our own time and culture. Click HERE to learn more.
