Sunday Services
8:00 AM Spoken Eucharist Rite I
10:30 AM Choral Eucharist Rite II
Church Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
161 Church St. NE, Marietta, GA. 30060
ADULT FORMATION
Adult formation offers a rich and diverse platform for spiritual growth and intellectual exploration within the Episcopal tradition. Rooted in the teachings of scripture, tradition, and reason, these sessions provide opportunities for adults to deepen their understanding of Christian faith and practice. Themes may vary, encompassing biblical studies, theology, ethics, spirituality, and social justice issues relevant to contemporary life. Participants engage in thoughtful discussions, study materials, and reflection, guided by experienced facilitators and clergy members. Through this educational forum, individuals are encouraged to develop a deeper relationship with God, strengthen their sense of community within the church, and discern how their faith can inform and enrich their daily lives fostering spiritual maturity and a deeper commitment to living out the values of love and compassion in the world.
We invite you to explore all of our adult formation options to decide where your would like to participate to deepen your faith.
Sunday Classes
(beginning April 7th)
Lectionary Bible Study - 9:30am
Location - Prayer chapel room, beyond the St. Anne’s room, by the copy machine.
We will be following the Lectionary and studying scripture passages that will be part of that Sunday’s worship service. If you would like to read ahead, you can find the scriptures in your St. James calendar on the back of each month's page, any Prayer Book published since the 2015 revision, starting on page 901, or online at https://www.lectionarypage.net/. Tom Cook will facilitate the discussion weekly.
Returning to Ancient Practices - 9:30am
Location - Conference room.
Mother Pat continues discussion of Returning to Ancient Practices.
Bible Study - Tuesdays - Noon
(*Bible Study shifts to 12:30pm beginning Sept. 10, 2024)
Location - Conference Room
St. James’ Bible Study aims to deepen participants' knowledge of scripture, foster spiritual growth, and encourage the application of biblical teachings in daily life. The Episcopal Church places a strong emphasis on the Bible as the Word of God and encourages its members to engage in the study of scripture for spiritual growth, understanding, and formation. We read and discuss passages from the Bible, often using various methods of interpretation such as historical, literary, and theological approaches. Our tradition tends to value thoughtful engagement with scripture, often incorporating insights from tradition, reason, and personal experience alongside the text itself. We may also draw upon resources such as commentaries, theological writings, and liturgical practices to enrich their understanding of the Bible.
Centering Prayer
Wednesday 4:00-5:30pm
Centering Prayer is a way of deepening your relationship with God. If you have never practiced Centering Prayer, it is a simple and beautiful process. The group is a supportive community of friends. We currently meet via Zoom. We greet each other and catch up until 4:30 p.m. At that time, a member leads us in a prayer or scripture before the twenty-minute sit. We take turns providing the prayer/scripture. At the end of the 20 minutes, we say the Lord’s Prayer. We then discuss the chapter of the book we are reading until 5:30 p.m. Additional resources can be found at: www.contemplativeoutreachatlanta.com.
Daughters of the King
"Daughters of the King" is an organization of women committed to living a life of prayer, service, and evangelism. It is officially known as The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK). Founded in 1885 its purpose is to bring women into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ and to support the mission of the church through prayer, service, and evangelism. Members of the Daughters of the King take vows of prayer, service, and evangelism, committing themselves to a rule of life that includes daily prayer, regular worship, and service to others. They often wear a distinctive cross as a sign of their commitment. Overall, the Daughters of the King play an important role in the life of the Episcopal Church, offering support, encouragement, and spiritual formation to women seeking to deepen their faith and serve their communities.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Tuesday Morning - 9:30am, in person
Tuesday Evening - 7pm, via Zoom
The Episcopal Church considers that we lay people are all "ministers of the Church" (Catechism, Book of Common Prayer p.855). EfM grounds us in our tradition and helps us to define our personal ministries according to the gifts given us.
More than a Bible Study, EfM takes a fresh look at life events by light of church tradition and 21st century culture. Meeting with certified mentors, participants will worship, study, and share in fellowship.
Across four years of EfM, a participant will read weekly assignments in Old and New testaments, Church history, and theology. In discussion, participants at different levels discover resonances among the different texts. Note that you don't have to commit to all four years; some in our group sat out a year or more.
The core practice of EfM is Theological Reflection, the application of participants’ studies to a personal experience, a text, or a striking cultural artifact. Through a creative process that draws on Scripture, popular culture, and memory, participants derive theological insights from the source. Concluding his first year, one student put it simply: “It all ties together!”
EfM is a national program initiated in 1975 by the School of Theology at the University of the South. See the university's website efm.sewanee.edu for the history, along with specifics about books and tuition.
To visit a class or for more information email Sue Hannan at suehannan46@gmail.com (morning class) or Scott Smoot at smootws@yahoo.com (evening class).
St. Anne's Chapter
1st Tuesday of every month (September - May) 10 - 12 noon
Our group focuses on religious study, service, and fellowship. St. James' St. Anne's Chapter was established by Louise Schilling to introduce the young women to auxiliary and mission work. Founded in 1927, St. Anne's established and maintains the St. Anne's Courtyard Garden and is responsible for the wall of Rector portraits, along with many other improvements around St. James. An easy-going, low-key group.
The St. Anne's Room (Rm. 144) is in the hall behind the offices. We gather for devotion and prayer, a brief meeting, then enjoy some refreshments during our program, usually a film.
Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is "holy listening," according to Margaret Guenther, an Episcopal priest who wrote and lectured on the subject. It is not psychological counseling or therapy or social work. It is confidentially talking about your spiritual journey, its byways, obstacles, challenges, triumphs, and questions with someone who will not judge you or give you any answers. Rather, the director will listen to you, ask you questions, perhaps offer comments or suggestions, and in all those ways help you prayerfully to move toward your own discoveries of joy, God's kingdom, enlightenment, and understanding. Meetings may last three quarters to a full hour and take place once or twice, monthly, or seasonally. They will take place in a quiet place at the church. St. James' has two trained lay spiritual directors. Let the church office know if you would like to pursue this opportunity.