Adult Education & Formation

Teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. Exodus 18:20

Formation and deepening knowledge of the Christian faith is an essential part of the Anglican ethos. CSS endeavors to provide illuminating, interesting and challenging educational programs for adults as well as children.

ADULT FORUMS: Throughout the year, adults gather in the Undercroft on Sunday mornings from 9:30am to 10:30am, between the two Sunday Services for a variety of presentations. Recent presentations include Art & the Artist Who Creates It, Wealth & Class, and Saint Francis & the the Embodiment of Grace. Coming up in October & November:

December 10 ~ Eine Kirche im Sozialismus: The East German Lutheran Church and The Change, Part Two

In something not often commented upon, the Lutheran Church in East Germany played a major role in what the Germans call “The Change” and we call “The Fall of the Berlin Wall.” Many of us remember those days and the memories that we had then. Others do not, but they have thoughts and memories about those events based upon how the story has come down to us.

Al Jones is leading a two-week discussion of this topic. Last Sunday we covered an outline of post-World War II Germany, the organization of the Communist East German government (the “DDR”) and the place of the Lutheran Church within it. Hint: far more favored than one would expect, which gave scope for action. Which they took. As we will discuss this Sunday, December 10.

We'll begin by briefly recapping the situation in Germany at the beginning of 1985. After that, a little diversion into music and the important role it played in the Change. Then we turn to the Lutheran Church's important role in the events surrounding The Change itself, including the almost miraculous night of November 9, 1989.

Al will have some photographs and video, but for the most part, it’s an opportunity to share thoughts about this most amazing series of events 34 years later. And to consider the courage of the people involved, both in the Lutheran Church and outside. Even if you don’t remember these events, please attend. It’s always interesting to hear how something so momentous has come down to today.

December 17 ~ Presentation by Bob Howard

December 24 ~ No Program ~ Christmas Eve

December 31 ~ No Program ~ New Year’s Eve

January 7 ~ No Program ~ Bishop Visitation

January 14 ~ Memories of the Selma March

BOOK/VIDEO GROUPS: During Advent, Lent and Eastertide, adults join in evening discussion groups centered on novels, theological works and film and video series. Recent groups have read The Warden by Anthony Trollope, The First Christmas by Marcus Borg and John Dominc Crossan and viewed the BBC series Diarmaid MacCulloch's History of Christianity: The First 3,000 Years. attend classes and book discussions groups. Watch the News & Announcements section of the website for details.

QQUIET DAYS: Usually in the seasons of Advent, Lent and Eastertide, day-long retreats or Quiet Days are held to help deepen our spiritual experience.

USER'S GUIDE TO THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH: This lecture series lead by the priest-in-charge, the Rev. Aaron Hudson, is designed to prepare adults for baptism, confirmation or for reception into The Episcopal Church. The series covers an array of topics including church history, ecclesiology, scripture, the sacraments and the polity of the Episcopal Church. The series is held in conjunction with a planned Episcopal visitation to the parish by one of our diocesan bishops.

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