Faith Formation

Faith Formation For Adults

Throughout the year, St. Patrick’s offers opportunities for people to explore in their faith through discussion about books of interest to church members. Currently there are two discussion groups focused on different explorations of faith.

Conversations in Faith and Justice (CFJ) is a lay-led small book discussion ministry that focuses on fostering conversation and deepening our spiritual faith through the lens of social justice. Our goal is to create a safe space where members of St Patrick’s and our community can come together to share their diverse life experiences and explore the places where faith and justice intersect. This group is held at St Patrick’s Episcopal Church seasonally on the first and third Monday for 5-8 weeks.

Some of the books discussed so far include:

  • Jesus and the Disinherited, by Howard Thurman
  • Those 7 References: A Study of ‘Homosexuality’ in the Bible and Its Impact on the Queer Community of Faith, by John F. Dwyer
  • A Year in Biblical Womanhood: How a Liberated Woman Founder Herself Sitting on Her Roof, Covering her Head, and Calling her Husband ‘Master’, by Rachel Held Evans

Faithful Discussions is a lay-led book discussion ministry which tends to focus on books related to spiritual growth and personal development. This group meets seasonally via Zoom on the first and third Wednesdays of the month for roughly 6 sessions.

Some of the books discussed so far include:

  • Dignity: Its Essential Role Resolving Conflict, by Donna Hicks
  • Don’t Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart, by Kenneth Haugh
  • Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life, by Craig Groeschel
  • Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer, by Richard Rohr

Children‘s Ministry

Children of all ages are encouraged to be present for in the entire worship service with their families. We are a church who believes it is better for children to be seen rather than not heard. As desired, children are encouraged to actively participate in specific worship roles. Helping ushers to greet and pass out bulletins, bringing forth the communion elements and other offerings are a few examples. For more formal worship roles, such as being an acolyte or reading, training will be provided. Those with interests in art and music are supported in sharing these gifts. Rather than a formal Sunday School program we focus on connecting with each child as an individual, meeting them as they are, and encouraging their gifts as part of our faith community. While children may forget the Bible stories they have heard, they are likely to remember how they were treated.