Being Formed in Beauty

Led by Clifton Rogge, Charles Simeon Fellow

            This seven-week class examines the Christian life through the concept of beauty.  From God’s redemptive act expressed in Scripture, to our responding to his active work in us, we behold God more completely when we open ourselves to the various forms of beauty within this self-revelation. The requires a sacrifice on our part that conditions our faith to makes us into disciples who reflect not only Christ’s restorative grace, but the beauty drawn from the life of God himself.  This course is designed to conceptualize beauty as that which draws us into God and that which allows us to participate in God’s self-revelation as we are further transformed into his likeness.

Perspectives on Christians and Politics: A Discussion

Led by Cliff Nilson

            Who does God want you to vote for in November? We don’t have the answer to that question, but we will look at what the Scriptures say about being a good citizen. Using the book, “Jesus and the Powers”, by N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird, this class will discuss the role of Christians in politics. We will consider the historical perspective, the relationship of church and state, the impact of the kingdom of God in this age, whether Christians can oppose laws or rulers, and what kind of government God approves. The book is recommended but not required.

Parenting for Faith

Led by Jason and Frances Merritt

As parents, we are perfectly positioned and perfectly equipped to daily and easily show our children the reality of day-to-day life with God. God has shared with us in the Bible a simple plan for us to encourage our children into a vibrant, two-way relationship with God. This class will help parents to understand this plan and put it into practice. Class topics include finding a spiritual framework to make sense of life, unwinding false views of God, conversational prayer, discipling children in any season of life, prayer ministry for children, and connecting children with the Church.

Kneeling With The Giants: Learning to Pray with History’s Best Teachers

Led by Ben Praamsma, Charles Simeon Fellow

            What can our spiritual mothers and fathers teach us about prayer? Over the course of the summer, we will kneel alongside St. Benedict of Nursia, Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Ignatius of Loyola, George Herbert, and John Calvin, learning their unique gifts to the great tradition of prayer. We’ll get to know these friends and their stories, but also spend time praying like they did, with the hope of enriching our private and congregational prayer lives.

Led by: Bp. Andy Miller (EEC) & Ryan Cecil
Pathway 1:  Formation Through Prayer and Worship

Pathway 4:  Formation Through Living Out Our Baptism as Public Witnesses for Christ

Intercession and Healing Prayer have been critical components of faith expressed by both the Old and New Testaments and have historically been central to the life, mission, and health of the Church.  This class will emphasize the importance of creating a foundation for and nurturing a culture of intercession and healing prayer.  Special attention will be given to scriptural lessons and instruction on intercession and healing prayer for “sickness of body, mind, and spirit” (BCP, p. 225), as taught and demonstrated by Christ, the patriarchs, and the Apostles.  In addition to these principles, participants will also explore five ways that believers typically hear from God so that we are able to pray in agreement with the intercession of the Holy Spirit.

Led by: Fr. Sudduth Cummings & Brian Bailey
Pathway 1:  Formation Through Prayer and Worship
Pathway 4: Formation Through Living Out Our Baptism as Public Witnesses For Christ

All of us encounter spiritual struggles, valleys in our journey with the Lord, and times of spiritual dryness or even desolation.  This class focuses on particular struggles and how to deal with them so as to grow in holiness.  Some of the situations addressed will be: What to do when you are tired, burned out, or overwhelmed by life.  How to respond when you feel burdened or confused in prayer.  Helpful tactics to employ when experiencing spiritual struggles.  How to deal with worldly agitations and temptations. How to resist the enemy when your confidence in God is threatened. Participants should purchase Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies by Timothy Gallagher, available in St. Peter’s Bookstore.

Led by: Deacon Justin Hughes
Pathway 2: Scripture and Christian Doctrine
Pathway 4: Formation Through Living Out Our Baptism as Public Witnesses For Christ

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis lays out the fundamentals of the Christian faith and doctrine in a way that is both accessible to the novice and engaging for the mature.  It is among the 20th Century’s most important contributions to the canon of classic works of Christian thought.  This class will read and discuss Mere Christianity and bring it into conversation with biblical texts and other classic expressions of Christian faith and doctrine.  The issues Lewis addresses are a great read for people new to or interested in the Christian faith.  Participants should purchase a copy of Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, available in St. Peter’s Bookstore.        

Led by: Fr. Marcus Kaiser, Dean
Pathway 2: Scripture and Christian Doctrine
Pathway 4: Formation Through Living Out Our Baptism as Public Witnesses For Christ

Join Dean Marcus Kaiser for a guided tour of the Letter to the Hebrews.  This class will focus on key passages of Hebrews so as to explore such important issues as the person and work of Christ, the nature of the Christian life, the relationship between the Old and New Testaments, and the calling of Christians to the holiness of life.  The textbook for this class is Hebrews: A 12-Week Study by Matthew Capps.

Class Title: The Anglican Catechism: The Christian Basics
When: Wednesdays, 6:15-7:15pm | January 10-March 20
Led by: Fr. Michael Petty
Pathway 1: Cultivate a life of prayer and worship
Pathway 2: Scripture and Christian Doctrine
Pathway 4: Formation Through Living Out Our Baptism as Public Witnesses For Christ

To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism is the official catechism of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). It was designed to introduce people to the Christian faith as well as to provide instruction to those who have already been baptized. The Catechism presents teachings on the Apostles’ Creed (what a Christian should believe), the Lord’s Prayer (how a Christian should pray), and the Ten Commandments (how a Christian should live). This class provides an in-depth introduction to the Catechism and an opportunity to discuss its meaning and implications for life. Participants should Purchase a copy of To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism (available in St. Peter’s Bookstore).

Meets Every Tuesday

Led by: Ryan Cecil
Pathways 1 & 4

In our fractured world, Brothers In Faith seeks to celebrate the redemptive work of Christ in an environment that builds deep bonds of fellowship. We are a community of men who seek to be formed in Christ through the power of Christian friendships, prayer, discussion, mutual accountability, and mutual encouragement. We study a variety of topics and books that cover a broad scope of the Christian tradition. New members are always welcome and encouraged! For more information, contact Ryan Cecil by clicking the button below.

The Gulf Atlantic Diocese Annual Synod is being held at St. Peter's November 3rd and 4th. Clergy, Clergy Delegates, Congregational Leaders, and Lay Delegates will come together for fellowship, workshops, council/delegate nominations/votes, changes in Canons & Constitutions, and any other orders of business.

All parishioners are invited to attend the 7pm worship on November 3.

We are also looking for volunteers to help serve dinner, lunch, and get the cathedral ready for Sunday! Contact Ellen Culpepper with questions and Tina Campbell if you are able to help!

For more information, visit the Gulf the Gulf Atlantic Diocese Website Diocese Website.

Schedule

10.6 | Friday Evening | 6–8pm

10.7 | Saturday | 8am–3pm

About our Speaker

Shelly Sorem is a deacon in the Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast and a chaplain at the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department. She serves as the Provincial Council President for Daughters of the Holy Cross. She serves on her diocesan Women’s Ministry team, on the Women’s Leadership Initiative for ACNA and on the ARDF Domestic Disaster Response Team. She speaks at conferences and retreats nationally and internationally. Shelly is passionate about people coming to know and love the Lord and growing in their faith. She loves teaching the Word of God and helping people dig into Scripture for themselves in order to learn how to apply it to their lives. She and her husband Bill have been married for 32 years. They have two adult daughters who are married and three granddaughters. She loves being Mimi to her granddaughters and enjoys time at the beach and hiking in the mountains.