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ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Victoria Texas
 

SPIRITUAL FORMATION - 2009-2010

Children and
Youth Classes

Adult Classes

Adult Inquirer's Class

Intergenerational
Opportunities

Men's Group

Women of St. Francis

Education for Ministry

 
 
  Here at St. Francis Episcopal Church, we seek a deep and intimate relationship with God, our creator; with Jesus, the Son; and with the Holy Spirit. In concert with Anglicans across the world, we believe that such a relationship is seated and nurtured through prayer and study throughout the ages of life. To that end, we offer a range of Spiritual Formation opportunities throughout the year. I pray that you come and drink deeply from the wells of wisdom; wells of scripture, tradition, and experience; and that having tasted the Kingdom, you might seek the Table that is forever spread with God’s blessings.

Faithfully,
Rev. Faith

 
 
 
 


Reading with the Rector Our summer series for all ages featured "READ WITH THE RECTOR". We joined with Rev. Faith to explore the wisdom of children's literature and the voice of God through some of the brightest and best children's authors of our time.


SPIRITUAL FORMATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Nursery Care
Sunday mornings 7:30am-12:00pm
and at other times/events as specified

Preschool/Kindergarten (3-5 years old) and Elementary Age (1st-5th grades)
Sundays 9:30-10:15

These classes, meeting separately in our Sunday School wing, use The Episcopal Curriculum for Small Congregations. With story-telling, crafts, music, laughter and fun, these youngsters explore Biblical stories with an emphasis on discovering God in their lives and in the world.

Junior High and High School Age
Sundays 9:30-10:15

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SUNDAY MORNING ADULT SPIRITUAL FORMATION
9:30-10:15, All Saints Room

SUNDAYS, - "SUNDAY LECTIONARY STUDY", Sunday mornings, 9:30-10:15, with various facilitators. Using the gospel reading of the day, the class will receive pertinent background information, engage in multiple readings of the text and reflect on the voice of God and God's call as heard by those in the group. This is an opportunity to engage scripture at the level of your comfort. Those new to the Bible and those of Biblical scholarship are both welcome to come and listen and offer. We hope to see you there!

BIBLE WORKBENCH
10:30-12:00, Guild Room

MONDAYS, - The Rev. Faith Bledsoe, facilitating. With emphasis on the Sunday lectionary readings, this class seeks to take both biblical text and our experience seriously enough to keep them in some creative tension that can shed light on the ancient story and enable us to read our life story in a new way. The work revolves around three questions: 1) what is happening in the story/text? 2) how is the story happening in the world around us? and 3) how is this story your/our story? Materials will be provided. Join us for this lively conversation

STUDY OF ROMANS
Guild Room
TUESDAYS, 6:00pm

WISDOM FOR THE JOURNEY: Engaging the Inner Life
5:30-7:00pm, Guild Room

THURSDAYS, - The Rev. Faith Bledsoe, facilitating. Through readings ancient and modern, spanning such topics as scripture, theology, liturgy, prayer, and spirituality, we will seek to engage the voice of the Spirit in the wisdom of those who have gone before and those who accompany us in the present age. We will read and reflect together with the intent of forming ourselves as theologians, not simply in the academic sense, but more in the deepening of our own lives of prayer and ministry. Participants will be asked to commit to weekly 1 ½ hour meetings September-May, reading 50-75 pages a week of college and graduate level material with written reflections in the form of journal notes and perhaps the occasional 1 page paper. Books will be purchased at the participant’s expense. Scholarship funds are available. Participants must sign up prior to the first class by calling the church office, 575-0441. Return to top


INTERGENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Second Sunday Sunday Celebration
Second Sunday of each month , includes meal, free of charge.

On each second Sunday of the month, the St. Francis family gathers for fun, fellowship and formation or service. In the past this has included, among other other things, a swim party, decorating Easter baskets for those to whom we deliver meals, Christmas caroling to shut-ins and nursing homes, carving pumpkins and making Lenten calendars. Join us and see what's in store this year!

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OTHER ADULT OPPORTUNITIES


St. Francis’ Men’s Group
2nd Wednesday of every month, 7:00pm

The Men’s Group, always open to women as well, is a long tradition at St. Francis. Once a month they gather for good food and a quality speaker. The calendar has included such topics as lawn and garden care, drawing from the right side of your brain, and Lent as a spiritual practice. Not infrequently, we are graced with musical talents of local musicians. These evenings are always an opportunity for fun and fellowship with a little wisdom on the side.

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The Women of St. Francis

Gathering quarterly for fun, fellowship and formation, the Women of St. Francis savor the opportunity to gather for speakers, storytelling and good food from the kitchens of our gracious cooks. These are always fruitful gatherings that draw friends and neighbors from across Victoria.

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Education For Ministry (EFM)
Wednesday evenings, beginning in January
Ada and Duncan Sutherland, mentors

EFM is a theological education program, for the laity of the church, of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Completion of the program takes four years, during which participants study the entire sweep of the Christian tradition (the Bible, church history and history of Christian thought) from the earliest period to the present. Participants commit one year at a time to meet regularly in seminars led by a trained mentor. Students belong to small “communities of learning” in which the events of each person’s life may be examined in the light of the materials being studied. While the course materials provide substantial academic content, the focus of the program is on life as ministry and understanding that ministry. Each seminar group of 6 to 12 students is led by a mentor. The group meets once a week during a nine-month cycle for members to discuss the materials they have read, reflect theologically and to worship together. The Victoria seminar meets each Wednesday evening, beginning its year in January with a short break during the summer months. Contact Ada Sutherland (572-4816) for more information.

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Return to Saint Francis Home Page Comments to Jack & Cynthia Buttram.
Last update February 5, 2010