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Adult Formation & Education

Christian formation and education is a life-long process involving the heart as well as the head: coming to know God in Christ rather than just learning about God in Christ. At the center of St. Michael's is a commitment to create a safe place to explore, question, learn, be nurtured, and grow in Christian community. All are welcome to take part in the programs, worship and parish life at St. Michael & All Angels Church.

Adult Formation Planning Team

Adult Formation opportunities are described below. The Adult Formation Planning Team meets quarterly to plan some of these, including Sunday Adult Forums and special opportunities for formation and education, such as our Lenten Covenant Groups, weeknight discussion series, the monthly “St. Michael’s Book Club,” and occasional Saturday morning workshops. For further information about The Adult Formation Planning Team click here.

Sunday Adult Forums

Presentations on various topics – often in the form of a multi-week series – are offered on Sunday mornings from 10:10 to 10:55 am, year-round. Topics range from reports of mission trips to Nicaragua and pilgrimages to various sacred places in the world, to exploration 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. For further information about The Catechumenate click here.

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 us. For further information about Centering Prayer click here.

Cornerstone

Cornerstone is a group dedicated to the study and practice of the Rule of Benedict, the founder of monasticism. The group typically approaches this study through prayer and discussion of selected works which address aspects of the Benedictine Rule. For further information about Cornerstone click here.

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 afterward.

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 focusing on specific 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). For further information about Discussion Groups click here. For further information about Via Media click here.