Adult Formation Opportunities

Theologian-in-Residence (retired)
Grace is pleased to have the Rev. Bob Hughes as our Theologian-in-Residence (retired.) Fr. Bob was the Norma and Olan Mills Professor of Divinity and Professor of Systematic Theology in the School of Theology of the University of the South until he retired to Oak Park. In this capacity, Fr. Bob preaches occasionally and leads popular seasonal quiet days and fireside chats. He is always ready to come alongside to help untangle a theological concept or to discern the tides of the Holy Spirit.

New Adult Study Group
Looking to reboot what it is to be a Christian at this moment in your life?
Wednesdays: Feb. 20, Mar. 13, 20 and 27, 2019
7:00-no later than 9:00PM
Meet in the old library (between church and rectory). Please use library front door at the back of the Memorial Garden.
Starting place for discussion is Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist and Prayer by Rowan Williams. We’ll begin with the Bible chapter.
Open to anyone and especially appropriate for inquirers and anyone wondering about baptism, confirmation or reception into the Episcopal Church.

Questions? Contact Mother Mary, here.

The Book Study Group organizes itself around authors who focus on living more fully from one’s soul in the second half of life. The life of Christ is often used by such authors as a paradigm for this. 2nd Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; meeting locations vary either in homes or at Grace. Current selection is Unbelievable by John Shelby Spong. Previous read have included most recently, Days of Awe and Wonder by Marcus Borg, Phyllis Tickle’s The Great Emergence, Richard Rohr’s The Naked Now and Nadia Bolz-Weber’s Accidental Saints.

Please email Izabella for latest meeting dates and location, and with any other questions.

Men’s Spirituality Group
This group was reconstituted in 2018 and meets on the 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings from 9:30 – 11 am. Please contact Fred Barnett here for more information.

Adult Formation Series for Lent: Gratitude
A 6-part discussion series on Gratitude during the Adult Formation time at 9:30AM. Each session will begin with a brief video in which Diana Butler Bass discusses a key concept from her recent book, Grateful, then we’ll discuss the ideas she presented. Her comments are thought-provoking and sometimes controversial, so our conversation should be lively! The videos are a companion to Grateful, but it is not necessary to read the book to participate fully in the discussion. Diana Butler Bass has written several books on religion and spirituality. For more about her, check out her website here.
Series schedule:
March 10: “Where is God?”
March 17: “A Table of Gifts”
March 24: “Table Ethics”
March 31: “Grace, Gratitude, and Gifts”
We’ll take a break for Easter, then resume:
April 28: “Gratitude and Abundance”
May 12: “Table Memory”
Grateful will be released in paperback on April 9, and it is currently available as a hardback or e-book. We will consider doing a traditional 4-part book study in the summer (right after Trinity Sunday).
The videos are available here. They offer a free 30-day trial subscription.

One Book, One Oak Park
For the last two years, Grace has participated in the Oak Park Public Library summer program One Book, One Oak Park with a group discussion of the work selected by the library. We’re looking forward to the 2019 selection.

20s/30s Group

This group seeks to connect with those in their 20s and 30s (or so!) as we discuss spirituality and enjoy social time together. Connect with the 20s/30s Group on Facebook here. We have brunch at a nearby restaurant on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Meet us at the back of the church after the 10:30 service.

Adult Spirituality & Christian Formation Offerings

Questions?

1st Sundays

9:30 – 10:15 am in the Parish Hall

Outreach Series: Representatives from various community and social service ministries have been invited to speak. In March, we heard about St. Leonard's Ministries in Chicago. Several parishioners volunteer regularly with St. Leonard's and associated programs. In April, we'll hear from representatives from Magdalene House.

Coloring Community
Children’s and Youth Formation does not meet on 1st Sundays to coordinate with the youth choir rehearsal schedule. As a parallel activity for all ages, we’re pleased to offer large format coloring posters, related to scripture, as a venue for all ages to come together colorfully and enjoy each other’s company. Coloring is also in the parish hall so that one may listen and color, if so desired.

Episcopal Church

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Grace

Calendar

Adult Formation events are at this link.