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Victoria Texas
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Victoria Texas
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Children and Youth Classes
Intergenerational
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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, | |
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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. |
Nursery Care
Preschool/Kindergarten (3-5 years old) and Elementary Age (1st-5th grades)
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
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SUNDAYS, -"PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM: WHAT'S THE WORD FROM JESUS?", Sunday mornings, September 12, 19, 26, 9:30-10:15, All Saints
Room with The Rev. Faith Bledsoe facilitaing. Come join the conversation with Jesus through his parables of the kingdom. What do they have to say to us? What
is the challenge? What is the comfort? What is the call? For three weeks Rev. Faith prayed these parables while on retreat and invited the parish
to do the same. Come share what you heard and what you hear.
TUESDAYS, - The Rev. Faith Bledsoe, facilitating. With emphasis on the Sunday lectionary readings, the goal of this class is
to break down the wall between sacred and profane, text of scripture and text of our lives. It 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 and 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
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. On alternate weeks we will spend our time in specific spiritual practices
that draw us deeper into the journey (e.g. reading and meditation on scripture, contemplative prayer, singing psalms.) We will read, reflect and
practice 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. Evagrius, a 4th century monk, said, "If you are a theologian you will pray truly; and if you pray truly you are a theologian."
Participants will be asked to commit to weekly 1 ½ hour meetings September-May,
reading 30-60 pages a week in assigned reading. 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.
Second Sunday Sunday Celebration
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!
St. Francis’ Men’s Group
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.
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.
Education For Ministry (EFM)
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.
Sunday mornings 7:30am-12:00pm
and at other times/events as specified
Sundays 9:30-10:15
Sundays 9:30-10:15
9:30-10:15, All Saints Room
Tuesdays,
10:30-12:00, Guild Room
Thursdays, 5:30-7:00pm, Guild Room
Second Sunday of each month
, includes meal, free of charge.
2nd Wednesday of every month, 7:00pm
Wednesday evenings, beginning in January
Ada and Duncan Sutherland, mentors
Last update 4 September 2010Return to
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Comments to
Jack & Cynthia Buttram.