Christian Education and Formation at St. Anselm’s include many things. We grow, learn, and are formed as Christians not only through traditional forms of educational experience, such as lectures, reading, and discussion groups but also through working, serving, playing, and praying together. In light of St. Paul’s advice in his letter to the Ephesians, St. Anselm’s parish offers many kinds of experience that "equip the saints for ministry." We all bring different gifts and need different kinds of educational and formative experiences to grow to our full potential.
Adult Education
The Christian Formation Commission coordinates much of the adult education at St. Anselm’s. The Commission offers opportunities for parishioners to:
- Learn about the history of Christianity and the Anglican tradition as well as contemporary issues.
- Study world religions.
- Explore our individual faith journeys as well as learn about normal pathways of spiritual development.
- Experience diverse forms of prayer and spiritual practice.
- Share our stories and experiences with each other.
For example, we plan and facilitate:
- The annual six-week Lenten Series,
- Retreats, including women's retreats held semi-annually or annually, and
- Speaking engagements, films, and discussions
Commission members regularly provide information about upcoming events at CDSP (the Episcopal Seminary in Berkeley) and the Graduate Theological Union as well as in neighboring churches. The commission, composed of lay members and the rector, meets periodically to plan new events, often in cooperation with other church committees and commissions.
Contemporary Approach to the Bible
The study group meets Wednesdays at 10:30 AM in the parish hall. Contemporary critical scholarship provides new insights into biblical interpretation. The group explores this information in readings and discussion.
Classes are open to all and participants may attend any or all sessions on a regular or drop-in basis. There are no class fees, but participants buy their own literature.
Church (Sunday) School
A Different Approach to Sunday School
Beginning this fall, St. Anselm’s will approach Christian education for children in a new way. We will be matching elementary school-age children with
an adult mentor who can serve as friend, guide, and co-traveler as they explore what God means in their lives. The goal is to provide an approach that is more flexible and more readily customized to the needs of our children, their families, and volunteer teachers. Some details have yet to be worked out, but we expect the arrangement to work as follows.
Children who attend regularly will have an assigned mentor over the course of the year. Mentors and families will be in touch regularly so that attendance can be coordinated. When children are at church, they and their mentor will work together to use the time well. Some weeks this may involve a planned lesson or activity; other times it may involve the child coming to part of the service with the mentor, and then spending time together afterward talking over their worship experience.
Lenten Series
We meet once a week during Lent to learn about our faith and to deepen it through a program offering. Program themes change from year to year. Past programs have included speakers, group activities, and films. One year. we learned about Christian mysticism from Brother Bernard of the Order of the Holy Cross. Another year, we were taught about great biblical characters by parishioners who acted their parts.
The meeting begins with a simple communal meal. The meeting is
then opened for discussion about the program's topic. Devotionals follow
the discussion to close the evening.
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