St. Paul’s has a number of Christian education offerings for adults. There is something for almost everyone.
EfM (Education for Ministry) EfM is a
program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of
Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a
time for this four-year program. It covers the basics of a theological
education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and
theology. Students meet regularly, usually once a week, in seminars
under the guidance of trained mentors. The program grants a certificate
at the completion of the four years and 18 Continuing Education Units
for each year's work. Our EfM classes meet on Tuesday nights in Malone Hall from 6:30-8:30. Please contact Alice Gordon at 928-0611, or Carol Keeney at 621-8974 for registration information.
The Bible and the New York Times: This class meets as part of our Great Wednesday program on Wednesday nights. A recent article is taken from the New York Times dealing
with a current issue of interest and using applicable passages from
Scripture, the class thinks and discusses the matter in theological and
ethical terms. This class meets every Wednesday night from 6:00-8:00
p.m. in Malone Hall from the first Wednesday in September through the
last Wednesday in May. Please contact The Rev. Thack Dyson for more
information at 626-2421.
Anglican Studies: What does it mean to be an
Anglican? What is the Anglican Communion? How does the Anglican
Consultative Council work? How did the Church of England come into
being? What is the Episcopal Church’s relationship with the world-wide
Anglican Communion? What is the “three-legged stool” of our tradition?
These and many other questions are discussed in our Anglican Studies
class. This class meetsevery Sunday afternoon from 4:00-5:30 in Malone
Hall from the first Sunday in October through the last Sunday in
May. Please contact The Rev. Thack Dyson for more information at
626-2421.
Inquirer’s Class (Adult and Youth): These
classes are available to those who are new to the Episcopal Church and
for long time Episcopalians who would like a refresher course on what
it means to be an Episcopalian. Topics include the Holy Scriptures,
Church History, Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal 1982, Sacraments,
Anglican studies, Historic Episcopate, Creeds, Place of Worship (holy
space), church traditions, church etiquette, and concludes with an
Instructed Eucharist. Those wishing to be confirmed into the church are
required to take this class. These classes are typically 10-12 weeks in
length and are taught by the Rev. Thack Dyson. These classes meet on
sundays, with adult class meeting in Malone Hall from 2:30-4:00 p.m.,
and the youth class meeting in the Christian education building from
12:30-2:00 p.m. These classes begin on the first Sunday in
January. Please contact Thack for more information at 626-2421.
Men’s Bible Study: This group meets all year
long every Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. in the library. Please contact The Rev.
Thack Dyson for more information at 626-2421.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study: This group meets all year long every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. It is currently using The Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little’s book, Ears to Hear, as a part of its study of the call stories in the Bible. Please contact The Rev. Thack Dyson for more information at 626-2421.
Sunday Morning Forum: This class meets every
Sunday morning throughout the year at 9:15 in Malone Hall. Thack is
currently facilitating a class on the Gospel of Matthew. In December
2007, John Fowler will facilitate a class on the Book of
Proverbs. Please contact The Rev. Thack Dyson for more information at
626-2421.
Seder Meal: We have an instructed Seder Meal
every Holy Week as part of our Holy Week activities. This is a popular
and well attended offering as it explores the correlation between the
Seder Meal and the Eucharist as a part of our reflection on the Last
Supper.