PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY DISCUSSION GROUP. Each Sunday at 10 a.m. between worship services. September 16-November 18.  Current series organized by Kay Johnson and Brad Latham.

October 7: Theology & Spirituality of Work
October 14: Organizing for Change in DC.

EPISCOPAL 101: THE GATHERING (plus Newcomers' Lunch on October 7) - In appreciation for all new people worshiping with us and/or considering joining the parish, this 5-week welcome and introduction to the Episcopal Church is designed especially with newcomers of any age in mind. 12:30-2:00 p.m. Sundays on October 7, 14, 21, and 28 and November 4 in the Godly Play Room. The first meeting on October 7 includes the fall Newcomers' Lunch!

10/7- It All Begins in Worship
10/14- God's Story and Ours: Scripture
10/21- Why It Matters What We Believe: Reason
10/28- Who We Are & Where We Came From: Tradition
11/4- Our Vocation to be Human: Discipleship

THE "Q" GROUP - a light supper together followed by a chance to talk informally with one another about our spiritual journeys, struggles and discoveries in our everyday lives. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month 7-9 p.m. at the Rectory (1735 19th St. NW). This Tuesday, October 9. Bring a beverage. If you're shy about joining, bring a friend!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMITTEE MEETING - Second Wednesday of every month, 6:30-8:00, Guild Room. Come and help to plan the year's formation events. All are welcome to join in the work of this important part of our parish life. Monthly meeting commitment.

BULLETIN BASICS: These weekly notes on Episcopal core beliefs and practices are written by members of the Christian Formation Committee. October thanks go to Hardee Mahoney.

www.episQpaleians.org is a new St. Thomas' blog open to all parishioners to encourage reflections about Christian Formation. Open to all; please comment. To post entries, get a username and password by emailing waynefloyd1@verizon.net.

There is also a new Education and Formation discussion list (or listserve) to help encourage knowledge about what our committee is doing and to foster discussion of what is yet to be learned.

As part of St. Thomas' new mentoring program for recently ordained clergy, "The Art of Pastoral Ministry," the Education and Formation committee has the pleasure of entering into a new experiment in conversation and spiritual growth with our new Assistant Rector, John Dwyer. You will see him involved in our ministries especially this fall as part of his rotation during the first two years of his time with us on the clergy staff. He is helping us to design and implement a wide range of offerings. 

The resource table in the Guild Room also will regularly make available multiple copies of basic print and video resources for parishioners to borrow and read or view at your leisure.

We also are planning education and formation events specific to the seasons of Advent (Prayer), Epiphany (Spiritual Discovery), Lent (Discipleship) and Easter (Faith and Work). In the new year, the six week "Episcopal 101" course -- starting in Holy Week -- will help us to connect the core-convictions of Episcopalians with the rhythms of our worship life leading up to Easter. It is open to the whole parish, but in particular helps to prepare those who plan to be confirmed in the spring.

Other Education and Formation events that are being discussed for 2007-2008 include: a series jointly sponsored with the Outreach Committee on the Millennium Development Goals; instructed worship services teaching us about liturgy and music; and movie nights exploring films on specific theological themes. We also are exploring Sunday "Conversation Café" brunches held in neighborhood locations; "field trips" to look at art or hear music together; and targeted book groups for people interested in reading and discussing a text together.

We will keep the Parish informed about Education and Formation activities through regularly-updated website calendar listings, as well as frequent articles in the Phoenix reporting details of events. We look forward to our journeys and growth together this year as one of the ministries of St. Thomas' Parish.