Journey of Faith: a special Wednesday evening course at St. Paul's beginning Dec. 3

It gives me great pleasure to offer a course for adults to explore our faith, ask questions about Christianity and grow deeper as a community. This course, beginning Wednesday Dec. 3 at 7 pm, is designed for any adult who wants to enrich his or her faith journey. This course is also designed for any adult who would like to be confirmed, received as an Episcopalian, or reaffirm her or his faith commitment with Bishop David Jones on Feb. 8, 2009. This course is open to all who wish to join us on this journey of exploration into the deepest mysteries of life. We won’t find all of the answers, but the road will be full of wonder and amazing grace.

Let me explain a little of how we will do this: Sometimes in class all we do is communicate facts, content, history, dates, events. We will do some of that – but more importantly we will try to give you a place to explore the meaning of faith in community and “equip the saints” with tools for exploring our faith and putting it into practice in daily life and work.

Each evening will open with prayer. I will then give a presentation on the topic of the evening, and we will then divide up into small groups for discussion. We will close each evening with prayer. The outlines of my presentations, and handouts, will be posted on this blog where I hope we can continue the conversations outside of the classroom. Also, anyone who lives far from Charlottesville is invited to join us on this journey through this blog and by entering into the conversation through the "comment" section. All I ask is that you identify yourself.

Topics each week will include how we interpret the Bible, the tradition of the creeds, and how we live out our lives as faithful people living in tension with the modern world.  The course is structured in the classic Anglican method of "Scripture, Reason and Tradition." 

The course will have eight Wednesday evening sessions (with Christmas and New Years Eve off)

On Saturday, Feb. 7, the day before the bishop’s visit, we will spend time together in retreat, but not just any kind of retreat. It is my hope we will use our time on that Saturday – maybe only a few hours – working together in simple service to our community.

To join us, please call the office 434.295.2156, or just show up on the first night, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. 

Jim+