Adult Christian Formation
At St. Paul’s, we make it easy to meet each other. In addition to our Sunday morning worship services and coffee hour, there any number of small group get-togethers where you can meet other people and usually learn something useful in a Christian context, and, for some of the groups, engage in Christian service in one form or another. There are low commitment groups that pop-up, meet only three or four times, and only expect you to show up. There are others designed for those ready for a more sustained engagement and looking for depth. Our groups do not assume any background in any topic and are provide an environment of exploration, where participants are encouraged to bring all of their questions, doubts, and concerns to the conversation as we learn from one another.
Join us at 9:00am and/or 11:30 am on most Sundays from September through June for discussions with our clergy, church members, or guest speakers.
Several Saturday Retreat Days are offered from September through June. Check this page and parish calendar for dates and times.
Contact our church office at office@stpaulsbrookline.org for more information.
The path of Christian discipleship is a lifelong journey. God calls us never to stop learning, and to grow continually in our understanding and in deepening our relationship with God, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit. What we do together is truly “formation,” not just education, because we are not just seeking intellectual knowledge. We seek to be formed in Christ, schooling ourselves in practices that help us increase in love, prayer, and service.
Between the 8 am and 10 am liturgies or after the 10am liturgy, we gather for discussion of a wide variety of topics. All are welcome to join us!
Upcoming Sunday Adult Formation Sessions:
Mental Health and Spirituality Series, Oct. 20 - Nov. 10 (Emily Lithicum)
Starting Sunday, October 20th, please join us for Adult Education at 9AM as we examine the intersection between mental health and spirituality in our present day lives. With revised content and new theological themes, we will discuss how mental health impacts our faith formation, how we can confront shame and societal stigma, as well as the ways in which we can accompany each other through mental health challenges, especially together as a faith community. For more information, please contact Rev. Won-Jae or Emily Linthicum.
Session 1: Mental Health and Mental Illness (October 20, 9 am – 9:50 am, Great Hall)
Session 2: Shame and Stigma (October 27, 9 am – 9:50 am, Great Hall)
Session 3: Self-Care and Recovery (November 3, 9 am – 9:50 am, Great Hall)
Session 4: Connection and Accompaniment (November 10, 9 am – 9:50 am, Great Hall)
Inquirers Class on Christian Faith and the Episcopal Church
HOW DO WE WALK IN LOVE AS THE JESUS MOVEMENT IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH? Join us for conversation, reflection, and prayer as we explore the Christian tradition as it has been lived out in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. We’ll be drawing on the book Walk In Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices, by Scott Gunn and Melody Shobe. Participants are encouraged to read the book in preparation for our discussions, but it is NOT required. You can come to all or any of the sessions. 11:30 am - 12:30 pm on the following datese: Nov 3, Nov 10, Dec 1, Dec 15, Jan 5, Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16, Mar 2, Mar 16, Apr 6. See brochure HERE.
Rector’s Forum: Christian Truth and Other Religions (Rev. Won-Jae Hur)
November 17, 9 am - 9:50 am, Great Hall
How do we live as faithful Christians yet take seriously the truth claims of other, non-Christian traditions in a religiously diverse world? How can we learn seriously across religious lines while deepening our own faith in Christ? Please join Rev. Won-Jae Hur for a conversation on these and related questions about religious diversity.
St. Paul’s Mission and Outreach Ministries Series
December 1 - January 5, 9 am - 9:50 am, Great Hall
How does St. Paul’s Church serve its mission to love God and neighbor? What is God’s call to St. Paul’s now, in this time and place? We will explore these questions through presentations on specific social justice/outreach ministries and conversations about the church’s call and mission as we enter a new chapter in our common life as Christ’s body in the world.
Session 1: Mission/Outreach at St. Pauls, (Tim Hintz)
Session 2: Ministry Outside the Parish (Clara Batchelor and Piper Trelstad)
Session 3: Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (Jim Batchelor)
Session 4: Equipping St. Paul's for Mission and Outreach (Rev. Won-Jae Hur)
Upcoming Retreat Days for Spiritual Practice
Retreat Day: An Introduction to Christian Spiritual Practices
October 26, 9 am – 12 pm, Main Sanctuary and Grounds
Please come for a time of retreat on October 26 at St Paul’s. We will introduce some basic ways to deepen our spiritual life through meditation practice, Lectio Divina, and time for reflection and conversation. We will set aside time for people to rest quietly, journal, or take a walk. People of all or no religious affiliation are welcome to participate. For more information, please email Rev. Won-Jae Hur at rector@stpaulsbrookline.org
Ongoing Groups that Meet Regularly and are Open to New Members
Education for Ministry (EfM) - meets Thursday evenings during the school year. Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, our seminar group journeys together through scripture, church history, and theology. Hosted by St. Paul's & includes members from other parishes.
Scripture Group - meets the fourth Tuesday of each month
Pub Theology Young Adult Group
Knitting Ministry - meets on the second Sunday of each month
Click here for a sample of groups engage in service and outreach