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ADULT CLASSES

For more information on our Christian Formation offerings, please email christianformation@christchurchnewbern.com​.

LECTIONARY CLASS

Sundays, 9:45 to 10:50 am, Pelletier Room

Leader: John Harper

Participants in this class 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. This class will meet Sundays in the Pelletier Room and is led by John Harper. Books are available at the Reception Desk.

THE GOOD BOOK CLUB 

Sundays, 9:45 to 10:40 am, Parish House

Leader: The Rev. Paul Canady

The Rector’s Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 11 am. We meet in the Parish House.

Let’s read the Book of Genesis!
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. – Gen 1:1
The Good Book Club is an initiative of Forward Movement (publishers of Forward Day by Day) and the Episcopal Church for all of us to read through a book of the Bible tog
ether. In 2024, we’ll work our way through the first book in the Bible. It can be a lot to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. And since Scripture is best understood in community, we’ll have two opportunities to look at the readings together: Wednesdays at the Rector’s Bible Study (11:00am in the Parish House) and on Sunday morning at 9:45am in the Library. Both sessions will cover the same material. We will start on Wednesday, January 3rd and Sunday, January 7th with an overview of Genesis.

You can access the schedule of readings here and learn more about the Good Book Club here. No prior Bible knowledge needed! (And if you need a Bible, please let one of the clergy know! We have plenty to share). Contact the Rev. Paul Canady (paulcanady@christchurchnewbern.com or 252.631.5861) for more information.

LENTEN BIBLE STUDY

Wednesdays from 11am to noon, Pelletier Room

Leader: The Rev. Paul Canady

In Lent, the Rector’s Bible Study will explore a series called by Amy-Jill Levine called "Entering the Passion of Jesus." It looks at Jesus' last week and will give us a chance to explore a little more in-depth the theology and meaning of those events. This will be a video and discussion-based series. There is also a book, if you’re interested. You can find it here, though it's not a requirement for the class. You can make also watch a preview of the video series here.

The class will continue to meet in the Pelletier Room at 11:00am on Wednesdays. Reach out to the Rev. Paul Canady (paulcanady@christchurchnewbern.com or 252.631.5861) for more information.

LENTEN SERIES: Pauli Murray

Sundays, 9:45 to 10:40 am, Library

“It may be that when historians look back at 20th century American history, all roads will lead to Pauli Murray . . . Civil rights, feminism, religion, literature, law, sexuality – no matter what the subject, there is Pauli Murray.”
Susan Ware, Editor, Notable American Women: a Biographical Dictionary Completing the Twentieth Century

During Lent, we will be offering a study by the Pauli Murray Center entitled "Building True Community..." based on the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray. This class will be held weekly during the Sunday School hour Briefly introducing yourself to their life and work is recommended.  You may view on Amazon the 2021 movie “My Name is Pauli Murray.”

For more information, please contact Edna Marie Thomas at ednamariethomas@gmail.com.

LENTEN SERIES: Wandering Heart

Wednesdays, 5:30 - 7 pm, Library

This Lent, join the Rev. Suzanne Hood in a discussion and exploration focused on the life and faith of one of Jesus’ most famous disciples. In Peter, we see a person who is both steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer. In Peter, we often see ourselves. By following Peter’s journey through scripture, poetry, music, and visual art, we will explore the story of his life and in the process come to understand more about our own faith journey. Our first meeting will be at 5:30-7:00 pm, Thursday, February 15 in the Library. After that we will meet on Wednesday nights at 5:30 pm. Snacks will be provided.

LENTEN SERIES: Have a Beautiful, Terrible, Lent

Mondays, 6 pm, via zoom

Sign up at: http://tinyurl.com/Lenten-Series
Join us for our weekly Lent gathering with daily devotions from Have a Beautiful, Terrible Lent. First read the Introduction to Lent, then on Ash Wednesday start reading the daily devotions. We will meet weekly for prayer, thoughtful discussion, and reflection starting February 19. This series is being offered through St. Mary's, Kinston.

WOMEN'S BOOK STUDY

Tuesdays from 10 to 11am, Second Floor Living Room

The Women’s Book Study meets on Tuesdays at 10 am in the 2nd Floor Living Room. Women of all ages are invited to attend. We open our time together with prayer requests, prayer and then read the book aloud. We stop periodically during the reading to discuss the author’s ideas. There is no homework nor expectation of reading ahead. Of course, you can if you would like.

This winter and spring the Women's Book Study will be reading Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler. Copies of the book are available for purchase at the reception desk ($15.00). Bowler is an Associate Professor of American Religious History at Duke Divinity School. This memoir details the emotional, spiritual, and physical journeys she took after being diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at age thirty-five. Kate was stripped of certainty only to discover that without it, life is hard but beautiful in a way it never had been before. Join us on Tuesdays from 10:00-11:00 am in the 2nd Floor Living Room, as we explore uncertainty in our own lives and the gifts God has for us in the midst of it. Women of all ages are invited to attend. We open our time together with prayer, followed by reading the book aloud, and discussing. No preparation is necessary. You can join the group at any time.
Join us at any time. Contact the Rev. Suzanne Hood (suzannehood@christchurchnewbern.com) for more information. This book study is led by Phyllis Fox and Susan Hoyt. 

CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER GROUP

Mondays at 11 am, Pelletier Room (Zoom option available)

Leader: Rev. Barbara Bornemann

Study Book: Praying with Hildegard of Bingen: Companions for the Journey by Gloria Durka 

You are invited to meet Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century contemplative, who made a major impact on the spiritual lives of many people.  In her day, Hildegard served in a variety of ministries – as an abbess, a counselor to popes and emperors, a homeopathic healer, a composer, a renowned preacher, the author of nine major books, and the founder of an abbey at Bingen, Germany.
This 12th century holy woman has recently emerged as a spiritual mentor for our times. “What is so attractive about Hildegard’s spirituality for today?” asks Gloria Durka, author of Praying with Hildegard of Bingen: Companions for the Journey. Durka tells us that Hildegard’s spirituality, “seems to fill a vacuum in the heart and mind of people who are journeying toward the center of life.”  
Today, in the 21st century, we are journeying toward the same spiritual center as Hildegard. This January, come and participate in the weekly Contemplative Prayer Group with Hildegard of Bingen as our spiritual guide. During each session, we will support one another in our pilgrimage of prayer and our search for spiritual growth.  Let us trust that in the search itself, we open ourselves to God’s transforming love.


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. 

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