The Education & Formation ministry is responsible for education and formation programs for adults, youth and children through Sunday morning programs and other special classes. The ministry is divided into two teams, one in charge of adult formation, and one in charge of youth and children’s education. The Spiritual Formation Ministry works closely with the Rector as well as the Worship Ministry. ... http://www.stthomasdc.org Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:56:45 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.stthomasdc.org/images/M_images/St-T-Logo-round.png http://www.stthomasdc.org The Education & Formation ministry is responsible for education and formation programs for adults, youth and children through Sunday morning programs and other special classes. The ministry is divided into two teams, one in charge of adult formation, and one in charge of youth and children’s education. The Spiritual Formation Ministry works closely with the Rector as well as the Worship Ministry. Members of the ministry serve as Sunday school teachers, planners and facilitators of adult forums, and occasionally as presenters. http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/spring-confirmation-may-12.html Preparation Classes for Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation of Your Baptismal Vows 12:30-2:00 p.m. Sundays March 11 - May 13 at St. Thomas' Parish The next diocesan service for confirmation, reception, or reaffirmation will be on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at Washington National Cathedral. Preparation classes are being offered by the Rector and members of the Formation Committee. These will be held March 11, 18, and 25; April 1, 15, 22, and 29; and May 13. There is also a half-day mini-retreat held at the parish on Saturday, May 5 (10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). If you are interested in confirmation or in reception into the Episcopal Church or in publicly reaffirming your Baptismal Vows, or have questions, please talk to Nancy Lee. A sign-up sheet is posted on the bulletin board in the hallway outside the Guild Room. We will be using Jenifer Gamber's Your Faith, Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church. Jenifer also has a website that goes along with it (http://www.yourfaithyourlife.org/) . Copies of the book will be available at the beginning of Lent at coffee hour on February 26. Dates and topics include: 3/11 -- Ch. 1 Transforming Questions Ch. 2 Beginnings 3/18 -- Ch. 3 Bible Stories 3/25 -- Ch. 4 History 4/1 -- Ch. 5 Faith: Whom Do We Trust? 4/8 (off for Easter) 4/15 -- Ch. 6 Navigating the Church 4/22 -- Ch. 7 What Is God Calling You to Do? 4/29 -- Ch. 8 Spirituality: Created for Prayer 5/5 (retreat) -- Ch.9 Worship: Responding to God's Blessings Ch. 10 Sacraments 5/12 -- Service at Washington National Cathedral 5/13 -- wrap-up/debrief, moving forward A good, downloadable description of how the Episcopal Church views Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation can be found here (http://stbenedicts.episcopalatlanta.org/images/customer-files/St_Benedict_s_Episcopal_Church/confirmationfaq.pdf) . Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:38:28 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/bible-study-on-mark-during-advent.html With 2012 around the corner, there has been media attention about the end of the world. Before that, you've probably seen at least one movie about the end of it all -- whether its due to cosmic divine intervention or a more ordinary stray asteroid. The Advent and Christmas seasons that we will immerse ourselves in during the next several weeks are about the expectation and arrival of Jesus the first time. Yet many of the biblical readings we hear especially in the Season of Advent also are about the return of Jesus in the future, if not the end of time. The Gospel according to Mark is thought to be the oldest of the four Gospel accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus. But Mark doesn't talk about the birth of Jesus at all, like the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Instead he raises for us some provocative questions about the return of Jesus in the future. • So what did the earliest followers of Jesus believe about the return of Jesus? • And how does Mark treat the topic in his gospel? • Does this apply to our lives and spirituality, anyway, as Christians living in the 21st century? Please join St. Thomas's seminarian Becky Zartman from Virginia Theological Seminary and her lay committee from our parish in a four-part Advent adult education series, to be held after the 11:00 service on November 27th and December 4th, 11th, and 18th. The discussion will be about an hour, and light refreshments will be served. Please join us in learning and discussion as we wait and prepare during the season of Advent. Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:22:19 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/register-for-st.-thomas-fall-retreat.html REGISTER ONLINE (https://crm.stthomasdc.org/index.php?option=com_civicrm task=civicrm/event/register reset=1 id=12) for St. Thomas' Parish Fall Retreat Join us in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley on November 4-6 as we make space for reflection, silence, and community. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:47:55 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/workshop-christian-relationships-for-gay-men.html DATE: TUESDAY, JULY 19 TIME: 7:00 P.M. PLACE: GUILD ROOM, ST. THOMAS' PARISH WORKSHOP FACILITATOR: DAVID KUCHARSKI Attention gay men: Whether you're single or already in a relationship, do you struggle to balance your romantic and sexual needs with your calling to live Christian principles? Plan to attend the workshop Christian Relationships for Gay Men at St. Thomas at 7 pm on Tuesday, July 19th, in the Guild Room (first floor meeting room). Facilitated by Dave Kucharski, a St. Thomas parishioner who's a former theology student and a licensed psychotherapist for individuals and couples, the workshop will help you discover how to be the boyfriend/partner/husband God wants you to be. For more information and to RSVP if you plan to attend (we'd like to have a head count), contact Dave at davidkucharski@rcn.com Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:51:51 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/confirmation-reception-classes.html Would you like to know more about St. Thomas’? Interested in confirmation or reception into the Episcopal Church? If you are considering a deeper relationship with St. Thomas’ through confirmation, transfer of church membership, or reception into the Episcopal Church, we want to hear from you! The adult classes usually take place in the fall, but if you are interested in being confirmed or being received into the Episcopal Church, please speak to or email our rector, the Rev. Dr. Nancy Lee Jose (contact-us/clergy/the-rev.-dr.-nancy-lee-jose.html) . If you are interested, or would like more information about the classes, please e-mail Tim Johnson (mailto:tajohnson75@yahoo.com?subject=Confirmation%20class). Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:12:47 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/gospel-discussion-is-back.html Attention Gay Men: Whether you're single or already in a relationship, do you struggle to balance your romantic and sexual needs with your calling to live Christian principles? Plan to attend the St. Thomas workshop Christian Relationships for Gay Men at 7 pm on Tuesday, October 19th, in the Guild Room. Facilitated by Dave Kucharski, a parishioner who's a former theology student and a licensed psychotherapist for individuals and couples, the workshop will help you discover how to be the boyfriend/partner/husband God wants you to be. For more information, contact Dave . Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:04:25 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/gospel-discussion-group.html Our Gospel Discussion Group continues to meet each Sunday morning at 10am in the Guild Room to discuss the Gospel lesson appointed for that Sunday. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the Gospels with others in our parish community and to become more fully engaged in worship. No preparation is required; just come each Sunday as you are able. Please note that this group will not meet during the Sundays of Lent and Holy Week (March 8 – April 12). Other Lenten education-formation opportunities will be offered. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Johnson (mailto:tajohnson75@yahoo.com?subject=Sunday Morning Gospel Discussion). Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:10:32 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/episcopal-basics-suffragan-bishop.html A users' guide for Episcopalians A suffragan bishop is an assisting bishop who does not automatically succeed a diocesan bishop. A suffragan bishop may be elected bishop or bishop coadjutor. A diocese may elect a suffragan bishop, but no diocese may have more than two suffragan bishops except with the special consent of a General Convention. Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:00:00 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/episcopal-basics-bishop-coadjutor.html A users' guide for Episcopalians Diocesan bishops may be succeeded by bishops-coadjutor upon resignation of diocesan jurisdiction A bishop coadjutor is an assistant bishop with the right of succession upon the resignation of the diocesan bishop. Before a bishop coadjutor is elected, the diocesan bishop must consent to such an election and state the duties which will be assigned to the bishop coadjutor when duly ordained and consecrated. Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:00:00 +0100 http://www.stthomasdc.org/education-formation/episcopal-basics-bishop.html A users' guide for Episcopalians One of the three orders of ordained ministers in the church, bishops are charged with the apostolic work of leading, supervising, and uniting the church. Bishops stand in the apostolic succession, maintaining continuity in the present with the ministry of the Apostles. Diocesan bishops hold jurisdiction in their dioceses, with particular responsibility for the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the church. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:19:36 +0100