spiritual Education
Alpha:Alpha is a ten-week course that helps participants understands the basic beliefs of the Christian faith. It is a wonderful opportunity to grow in understanding of Christianity while meeting other people. Please check with the church office for the next Alpha course. A typical night involves a light meal, watching a 45-minute videotape from Fr. Nicky Gumbal and an hour of small group discussion on the topic for the evening. Topics include:
1. Who is Jesus
2. Why did Jesus Die?
3. How can I be sure of my faith?
4. Why read the Bible?
5. Why and how should we pray?
6. How does God guide us?
7. How can I resist evil?8. How and What should I tell others?
9. Does God heal today?
Baptism: Baptismis full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body of the Church. In Baptism, God establishes an indissoluble bond between Himself and the person baptized. This sacrament requires advance preparation on the part of the priest, parents, sponsors and/or godparents, including instruction and the completion of the necessary forms. Holy Baptism is usually administered within the Eucharist on a Sunday or other feast day (see page 299 in the Book of Common Prayer: “Holy Baptism”). For more information please contact Father Ray at the church office at 689-1099.
Episcopal Foundations—Learn about our Episcopal tradition—our history, worship, theology, ethics—at a Thursday evening class for eight weeks in April and May, starting on Thursday, April 3rd.
Women's Quiet Days and Retreats: During the year St Mary’s will generally have one to two quiet days for woman. Each year the annual St. Mary’s Women’s Retreat held over a weekend allows our women to open a space in their busy lives to encourage an encounter with God and a deeper spiritual walk through worship, meditations, discussion and other activities in a safe and accepting community. It is also a time when the women get to know each other better. For more information please contact Lorraine Romanko.
Cursillo: Cursillo is a short course in Christianity offered by lay leaders and clergy, usually in a retreat like setting over a weekend. To some it’s a new breath of life, a dynamic new expression of the Holy Spirit. Cursillo is the experience of living for three days in a community of persons who are consciously trying to live as Christians. Part of the purpose of a Cursillo weekend is to help us recognize Christ’s action in our lives and the lives of others. The word Cursillo means ‘Christian living’; the long name is Cursillo de Cristiandad or ‘a short course in Christian living’, and is pronounced Kur-see-yo. Cursillo is Joy, Love, New Life, Renewal, Learning, Discussing, Listening, Changing, and Growing. “A Cursillo Weekend is three days long... But it can last a lifetime!” You will have the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas of Christianity with others. For more information visit the following websites:
www.cursilloncal.org and www.episcopalcursillo.org.
If you are interested in attending a Cursillo weekend please contact Father Ray at the church office at 689-1099.Spiritual Direction: If you go to the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California website and go to Resources/Spiritual Director section you will see one of our own listed in the Southeastern Deanery, Lorraine Thorvald. Loraine has completed the training required to be a Spiritual Director.
Sunday morning Bible Study: Join a Bible study and discussion on Sunday mornings at 9:20 a.m. led by David Grafft.
What is Spiritual direction? If you are asking questions like, “Where is God in my life?” or “How do I find meaning in this world?” or “What does God want me to do with my future?” then spiritual direction is probably what you are looking for. It is an opportunity to become more aware of our relationship with God and how God is present in all our experiences and acting concretely in our lives. God loves us deeply and wants to be known by each of us, always taking the initiative in coming to us. How God reaches toward a person, and how that person responds is as unique as any human relationship. We can become more intentional in our relationship with God through the process of Spiritual Direction.
There are always three persons involved in a direction session, the director, the directee and the Holy Spirit. A director does not “direct” as much as “assist the person in learning to be aware of the unique way the Spirit is moving in a person’s life, the images of God that we hold and the wounds that can be healed”. A spiritual director can help a person be aware of how one is feeling toward God at any given moment and develop the freedom to respond to God’s invitations. The freedom we have in responding to God is God’s greatest gift to humanity and what makes us truly unique in creation.
Fees are typically charged for spiritual direction and are set by the individual director, but no director wants someone seeking direction to be limited by finances. Adjustments can be made on an individual basis. For more information please contact Lorraine Romanko.
Soaking Prayer: St. Mary’s will soon be listed on Toronto’s Catch The Fire Ministries’ newly established website facilitating a worldwide connection to Soaking Centers. What is soaking?During previous revivals, people referred to it as “waiting on the Lord” or “tarrying” as they lingered expecting God's revival blessings. Although “soaking” includes waiting on the Lord, in this present move of the Spirit it means much more than that.
To “soak” in God's presence is to rest in His love rather than to “strive” in prayer. Through intimate inspirational music, people begin to connect with the reality of the Holy Spirit's presence.
Sitting quietly or simply lying on the floor, they rest expectantly in God's presence, and often the Holy Spirit hovers over them to reveal more of God's love, and to renew and repair areas of their lives. As the believer soaks in God's presence, the Lord takes control and begins to draw their attention to God's word either in the scriptures or through internal audible prayer.
The facilitator will guide and also be your prayer partner, The evening opens with prayer and the music begins for the Soaking session. The facilitator, too, waits upon the Holy Spirit to guide them to individuals in the group and simply pray near them while they soak.
St. Mary’s hosted parishioners in April, May, June, and July for Soaking Prayer. Sessions have been held with Agape Groups, and we have been asked to visit Daughters of the King. This is an event to intimately access the Holy Spirit.
Another opportunity to experience this enriching time with the Holy Spirit will be offered one Friday evening in August. Come on in. The water’s fine!Contact: Peggy PriceBrotherhood of St. Andrew:"The sole object of said corporation shall be the spread of Christ's Kingdom among men." so reads the Act of Incorporation passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. This has been the "object" of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew since our founding in 1883. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is an organization for men within the Episcopal Church and is dedicated to the spread of Christ's Kingdom, among men and youth, through prayer, study, and service. The Brotherhood chapter at St. Mary's was formed in the fall of 2005 and meets on the third Friday of the month for dinner. If you're interested in learning more about this group, please contact Mark Voskuil at the church office at 689-1099.
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Daughters of the King:The Daughters of the King, (DOK) founded in 1885, is an Order for women of the Episcopal Church who are willing to commit themselves to a community of prayer. Members undertake a Rule of Life that incorporates prayer, service, and evangelism dedicated to the spread of Christ's Kingdom and strengthening the spiritual life of the parish. Daughters of the King have made the commitment to serve God and wear crosses as an outward and visible sign that they cannot live a day without Christ in their lives. They are a community of nurturing women, accepting all people, bridging differences and cherishing traditions. Moving toward the 21st century, empowered by the Holy Spirit, their vision is to encourage and enable all to be reflections of God's love, reaching out through prayer, service, and evangelism to spread His kingdom. Our St. Mary's-Elk Grove chapter was formed in January, 2005. With its primary service designated by the Rector, our daily vow of prayer is for the clergy and their families, all members in our parish, and all lay ministers. We work to serve our King in prayer both for our parish and our Order worldwide. We meet regularly on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church starting in March 2008. We will be doing short bible studies. Individuals interested in becoming a Daughter complete a 12-lesson study. All are welcome to come and see what we are about. For more information please contact Omera Peoples.