Adult Education

Sunday Adult forums: 9:00 – 9:45 am are offered every Sunday beginning September 20 through the end of May.  They offer presentation followed by discussion time on a variety of topics. 

Tuesday lunch and book group meets every Tuesday from noon - 1 pm in the lower level of the church.  Currently we are reading a short chapter each week from "Devotional Classics" edited by Richard Foster.  Lunch is BYO; coffee/tea and water are available.

Book and Movie nights are held one Tuesday a month starting at 6:45 PM.  We have a bring-your-own supper, during which we discuss the designated book.  The movie follows - around 7:30 - always a popular movie, with free popcorn.    The movie will be a selection from the library.  Call for current selections.

Bible study groups are led by the rector and they meet:
Tuesday 1:00 - 2:15pm (after the Tuesday lunch group lunch)
Monday 7:20 – 8:45pm (Evening Prayer is offered at 7:00pm) 
The groups choose the course of study.  The day time group has been systematically studying the Old Testament and is currently completing the Minor prophets.   The evening group is studying the Gospel of Luke.    All are invited.  Contact the rector, or refer to the News & Events page on this web site for current readings.

The Lent Program is help weekly during Lent and comprises a simple supper, worship using "Stations of the Cross" and a discussion program. 

The summer "Armchair Theologians" every Thursday.  The evening discussion series lasted for 8 weeks. We watched the series "Living the Questions" and engaged in discussion after each presentation.  The rector and deacon lead alternatively.  The evenings ended at 8:30 with Compline.

Vacation Bible School in 2011 was offered from August 8 - 12 for kids aged 4 - 10.  Older kids helped too.  Talk to Margaret if you would like to attend or be a part of the planning team next year.

Education for Ministry Do you want to dig deeper into the Christian faith, studying the Bible, Church history, theological ideas, and reflect on connecting faith with life experiences? If so, consider EFM, a 4-year college-level curriculum developed at the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and taught in Episcopal churches around the country. For more information about EFM, ask Margaret.

Pastoral Care training was offered last year and will be available again as requested. Training is available for anyone wishing to offer pastoral care to those in any need.  Lay pastoral training gives a person skills and tools to be a good listener and support for people dealing with any of the problems which are encountered in daily life.  Lay pastors support the clergy; they do not replace them.

The Inquirer’s class meets in the fall and spring.  This is a series of six sessions which are designed for instruction and discussion with the participants on any and all matters relating to Christianity, to the Episcopal church, to the Anglican Communion and to our own church.  Contact the rector for details at motterburn@messiahchester.org