Our understanding of Christian Formation is based on The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation, put forth by an initiative of The Episcopal Church which defines Christian formation as “the lifelong process of growing in relationship with God, self, others and all creation. In this process we are transformed into the people God wants us to be.” The charter further states:
Formation is unceasing – serving the individual’s emerging understanding of identity, community, authority and purpose in Christ throughout their lives.
Formation is dynamic - encompassing learning, action and reflection.
Formation is formal and informal – informing, forming and transforming both the individual and the community.
Formation is hospitable – welcoming the “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.” (Col. 3:10).
Here at St. Augustine’s we seek to follow this definition by providing the following formation opportunities for adults:
Sunday Adult Forum
The Adult Forum is held in our Parish Hall on Sundays at 9:15 am, following our first coffee hour (which happens right after the 8 am service). The Forum ends at 10:15 am, so that those who wish can go to our 10:30 am service. Topics range from current events, health, and stewardship to liturgy, history, Biblical studies and Christian education. If you want to find out something about what we believe this is a great place to start!
Thursday Evening Events
Throughout the academic year we offer Thursday evening opportunities for fellowship and formation. We begin with a soup, salad and bread supper – a great way for us to get to know each other and catch up on the life of our community. Supper is followed by a variety of offerings: we could have a guest speaker making a formal presentation; we sometimes do book studies or use DVDs. All offerings are followed by an opportunity for commentary and discussion.
Upcoming Adult Formation Events:
May 2012
20th, 27th @ 9:15-10:00am – Adult Forum
20 May – Puget Sound Begins Here. Kristen Cooly, a native Whidbey Islander and the Education and Outreach Director for Puget Sound Partnership, will give us a timely power point presentation that speaks to the current condition of Puget Sound. She will talk about what Puget Sound Partnership is, what its member organizations are doing to clean up the sound, and what you can do to help the process. Remember, everything that happens in Puget Sound effects us – it impacts our beaches, water supply, recreational fishing, family shellfish harvesting, and summer swimming adventures. Ted Brookes hosts.
27 May – The Conquest. This lecture moves to the second part of the Tanakh, the Prophets, with its first volume, the Book of Joshua. After looking briefly at the account of the death of Moses and the function of “holy war,” we address Joshua through three major explanations of Israel’s presence in Canaan: conquest, immigration, and internal revolt. Ted Brookes presents.
20th @ 9:45-10:15am – Acolyte & Worship Leader Rehearsal: David McClellan and Richard Tussey invite current Acolytes and Worship Leaders as well as those interested in learning more about this ministry to rehearse how we serve the clergy during the liturgy.
30th @ 7-9pm – Living Stones: Children of Abraham In Tension Community Event Led By Dick Hall. The video has narration and will be accompanied with a study guide and group discussion. Topics featured are the history of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic people in the Holy Land, post 1947 military/political history, contemporary religion in the Holy Land, the theology of land and the ever present Separation Wall. Muslim and Jewish scholars as well as Palestinian Anglican priests speak in a seminar setting with the pilgrims. The video closes with a commentary of reconciliation by Iman Jamal Rahman and Rabbi Ted Falcon that emphasizes the similarities between Christianity, Islam and Judaism and universal values held by the three faiths.
June 2012
2nd @ 5:30-8pm - J2A Bingo Night and BBQ Fundraiser! All are welcome, come play bingo and enjoy your first hot dog of the summer! Funds raised will benefit the J2A youth group as they begin to look ahead to their Summer 2013 Pilgrimage.
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th @ 9:15-10:15am - Adult Forum
7th, 14th, 21st, 28th @ 7-8:30 – Summer Thursday Evening Program w/Coffee & Dessert Potluck: How To Read The Bible For All It’s Worth Led by Rev. Tom Johnson and Dr. Frank Shirbroun. This program will focus on the kinds of literature in the Bible and how to interpret them. The program will also show how the Bible may be used in the formation of Christian faith (theology) and Christian practice (ethics). The intent is to offer something practical rather than theoretical. Bring a Bible and come with your questions. Evenings will include coffee and a dessert potluck. Please let us know you will be joining us by sending an email to formation@whidbey.com.
9th @ 10am-2pm - Liturgical Ministries Training: All youth and adults involved, or wishing to become involved, in the following ministries please attend: acolyte, worship leader, Eucharistic minister, lector. The workshop, led by Rev. Dr. William Seth Adams, Dr. Nancy Ruff, Br. David McClellan and Br. Richard Tussey, is designed to get us all “on the same page” – to provide the appropriate training so that everyone serving will be familiar with the liturgical customs of our parish. This one-time training is required for those wishing to serve in these roles. This will be the last training offered until next fall/winter. Only those servers that have completed this training will be included in upcoming server schedules. If you are wondering if you are required to attend, please contact Shantina Steele at formation@whidbey.com.
