Adult Christian Formation will continue this Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the Vestry Room. Vicki Sullivan will be teaching a three week course on Spiral Dynamics. This a most helpful and very important topic. In fact, one preacher and teacher goes so far as to say that this is one of the most helpful and clarifying elements for the modern mind: understanding things in terms of developmental stages. Thomas Aquinas, centuries ago, said that “whatever is received is received according to mode of the receiver.” Today we would call this “developmental psychology.” Spiral Dynamics builds upon the work of Clare Graves, Don Beck, Christopher Cowan, and Ken Wilber. They teach a spiraling form of development that integrates the biopsychosocial and spiritual stages. This a wonderful tool for discernment; for understanding how the human person continues to grow, change and evolve; and, also for reading history and understanding how we have come to this critical and perplexing point in human existence, stage by stage. The class will meet on the following Sundays in February: Feb. 7, Feb. 14 and Feb. 28 (so as not to interfere with the Bishop’s visit.) – Fr. Matt

Epiphany’s Lenten Program will begin on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. We will celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. in the church. Following the service, we will gather in the Parish Hall for a light meal of soup and salad as well as an opportunity to participate in the Lenten Program. This year, best-selling author Kathleen Norris provides a unique viewpoint on “what matters most,” including:

–Belief Matters: Why does belief matter? To what do we give our hearts? What is the core message of what we believe–creeds or commitment? To what extent is to believe also “to belove”?
–The Bible Matters: The Bible is our collective story. How is that story reflected in our daily lives? What is it about the Bible that always seems to address our preent moments?
–Community Matters: In community, individualism and imperfection meet grace and acceptance. What is our part in the Body of Christ?
–Place Matters: In what ways is faith set within the physical space of home, church, land and people?
–We Matter: What does it mean to remain in God’s image and to counter our selfishness by embracing the world and its needs?

Each of the five DVD session begins with a 10-15 minute video presentation by Kathleen Norris followed by filmed interaction with a diverse small group of adults. Following the video presentation, we will be invited to delve more deeply into each session’s theme. Group members become teachers for one another, following a personal respectful and engaged model of adult learning. Each person will be supplied with a Participant’s Workbook (suggested donation – $10) which contains all the material needed for use by participants. Please sign up in advance if you are interested in participating in this year’ Lenten Program. We also need hosts to sign up to provide soup, salad and bread for the Wednesday meal.
– Fr. Matt