ADULT CLASSES
Contact Meg Jones, Director of Christian Formation, with any questions.
LECTIONARY CLASS
Sundays, 9:45 to 10:50 am, Pelletier Room
Leader: John Harper
Participants will review the lectionary for the week ahead. There are questions to answer for each reading. There is usually a discussion about how all of the readings are connected each week.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS -- GRATEFUL
Sundays, 9:45 to 10:50 am, Parish House
tarting January 29, we will watch videos from Diana Episcopal author Butler Brass on gratitude and talk about why calls us to be grateful. We hope to explore what it means to be grateful with ourselves and with our larger community. We are also curious to discuss how we explore gratitude before the season of Lent. This class will meet weekly through February 19. The classes will build on each other, but all are welcome to attend at any time.
RECTOR'S BIBLE STUDY / Good Book Club
Wednesdays from 11am to noon, Library
Leader: The Rev. Paul Canady
The Rector's Bible Study will follow the Good Book Club during this season of Epiphany. They'll explore Ruth and Esther, books that explore the faithfulness and courage of two remarkable women. The stories of Ruth and Esther have much to teach us about the Hebrew concept of chesed, which means sacred kindness, as well as the willingness to be in sacrificial relationship with loved ones and our communities. They'll be a week behind the "schedule" but you can follow along here. For more information, contact The Rev. Paul Canady at paulcanady@christchurchnewbern.com or 252.631.5861.
WOMEN'S BOOK STUDY
Tuesdays from 10 to 11am, Second Floor Living Room
The Women’s Book Study meets on Tuesdays from 10 - 11 am in the 2nd Floor Living Room, and women of all ages are invited to attend. We open our time together with prayer requests, prayer and then read the selected book aloud.
On Tuesday, February 7 we will begin reading In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection & Prayer by Jan Richardson. Copies of the book are available for purchase at the reception desk ($20.00). Richardson is an artist, writer, and ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. In this book she explores the wellsprings of women’s wisdom, inviting readers into a sacred space for reflection, prayer, and conversation about the mysteries at the heart of who we are.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP
Mondays from 11:30am – 12:30pm,1/9/23 - 2/20/23; meeting by zoom on 1-16-23)
Leader: The Rev. Barbara Bornemann
Purchase: Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelves Steps by Richard Rohr
When the disciples faced the raging waters that swept over their board, they were afraid they might drown. Jesus Rebuked the winds and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still." (Mark 4:39) At times, we too are afraid of drowning from the tumultuous waves of addition that exist in society and in our individual lives. In his book, Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps, Richard Rohr states, "Human beings are addictive by nature." These addictions can not only take the form of substance abuse but also unhealthy attachments to our ego defenses and "stinking thinking" (distorted thoughts). Rohr points us to Jesus who shows us how to "breath under water" during the storms of our everyday lives. In January, you are invited to join a Contemplative Prayer discussion group that has begun studying Richard Rohr's book, Breathing Under Water: Spirituality and the Twelve Steps. Come and learn some "underwater breathing lessons" through intentional contemplative practices. Come and listen to the voice of Jesus who calls us to stillness and prayer.
LENT CLASS OFFERINGS
There will be two class options in which parishioners can participate during Lent this year:
HOLY AND FAITHFUL
Tuesday evenings (Feb. 28, March 7,14, 21, & 28) on Zoom from 7:30-8:30 pm
Join us with friends around the diocese as we learn about Saints and their lives. This class is led by Xena Markine- Morrison at St. Stephen’s in Goldsboro and Meg Jones.
Register here: https://dioec.regfox.com/holy-faithful
SEEKING
Wednesday nights 5:30-7 pm in the Library
Starting March 1
Lent is a time to dig into your faith. We’ll take this season to look at some stories of our faith through pictures, poetry, and drawings. As we look at the art, we’ll do some reflection through visio divina. Join us each week or when you can. Nursery provided. There will be a children’s offering if requested. A light dinner will be available from 5:30-6 pm in the Parish House.
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EfM)
Coming soon
Leader: Edna Marie Thomas
This class involves deep thinking and a lot of reading on your own. Readings of the Old and New Testaments, the history of the church and theology will allow you to dig deeper than most other classes. EfM is a four-year program that can be taken with gaps between years. The class will prepare you for any and all ministries you will serve in at Christ Church.