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Reel Theology

Adult Formation & Education

Christian formation and education is a life-long process. At the heart of St. Michael's is a commitment to creating a safe place to explore, question, learn and be nurtured in Christian community. All are welcome to take part in the programs, worship and parish life at St. Michael & All Angels Church.

Sunday Adult Forums

Presentations on various topics – often in the form of a multi-week series – are offered on Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 10:55, year round. Topics range from reports mission trips to Nicaragua and pilgrimages to various sacred places in the world, to explorations of issues of health and wholeness, the Millennium Development Goals, Scripture, and Church history.

Catechumenate

The Catechumenate is both a personal and communal process of faith formation and practice that finds its roots in the early Church and focuses on spiritual development through the disciplines of faith: corporate worship, the study of Scripture, prayer, and living our Baptismal promises. Through the Catechumenate, adults on a spiritual quest are offered an apprenticeship in living the Christian faith, and those already baptized are aided in the deepening of their faith and commitment.

Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer, which is sometimes called contemplative prayer, is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of God's presence. It consists of responding to the Spirit of Christ by consenting to God’s presence and action within.

Cornerstone

Cornerstone is a group dedicated to the study and practice of the Rule of Benedict, the founder of monasticism. This group typically approached this study through prayer and the discussion of selected works which address aspects of the Benedictine Rule.

Labyrinth Guild

Walking the labyrinth is an ancient form of prayer. Members of the Labyrinth Guild help provide the space for deep reflection by their careful preparation of the labyrinth space. The Labyrinth Guild sets up the Labyrinth, candles, and music on special days and is also responsible for take down and storage afterwards.

Stewardship Team

The Stewardship Team is dedicated to encouraging and supporting the people of St. Michael’s in our continuing formation as a community marked by the joy of Christian generosity. As a part of this effort, the team plans and implements the annual pledge campaign and other programs intended to contribute to our ongoing formation.

Planned Giving

Planned gifts are those charitable gifts specified today and disbursed to St. Michael’s in the future. Such gifts may include money and/or other assets and may take many different forms, including (among others), will bequests, gift annuities, pooled income funds, charitable remainder trusts, and real estate. This type of gift is popular because it can provide valuable tax benefits and/or income for life. Both in the Scriptures and in the Book of Common Prayer we are admonished to plan for the future: to provide for those who will come after us.

Retreats/Teaching Weekends

Men’s and Women’s Retreats are scheduled regularly and held at various retreat centers near Portland. They offer an opportunity to reflect on, and grow in, our relationship with God within a supportive and nurturing community.

Teaching Weekends are held periodically at St. Michael’s. These are led by noted and inspiring individuals and have a particular focus. Recent weekends of this type have included an exploration and celebration of our gifts led by The Rev. Kathy Glenn, and reflections on Celtic Spirituality led by The Rt Rev. Rusty Kimsey and Gretchen Kimsey.

Study/Reflection Groups

Study and reflection groups focus on specified topics are offered throughout the year on weeknights and mid-morning on Wednesdays. These groups generally center on the discussion of a particular book or video series. Recent offerings have included Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak, Michael Johnston’s Engaging the Word, and Frederich Schmidt’s Conversations with Scripture: Revelation, as well as the Via Media video series (both the original series, “Introduction to the Episcopal Church,” and the newer Via Media Values series).