Classes & ReTREATS
Offered as adult Sunday forums, evening classes, or weekend workshops. Topics may be introduced in a single session or expanded into multi-session courses. All classes will be customized to meet the needs, interests, and availability of specific groups.
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Adult FAITH Formation
The Sabbath Way: Following Jesus
Drawing on the work of ​Walter Bruggemann, Ched Myers, Abraham Heschel, and Henri Nouwen, the Gospel is situated within the context of Sabbath law and the historical Hebrew tradition, in order to shed new insight on the life and ministry of Jesus. Examples from the lives of the apostles, the desert fathers and mothers, and other early Christ-followers will offer inspiration for how we can practice the Sabbath way even in the midst of our everyday lives in the modern world. ​
walking with the saints
An introductory overview to the theology of sainthood, with suggestions for how to pray with, and draw inspiration from, our ancestors in the faith. Instructions on how to navigate the different saint calendars in the Episcopal church are offered along with a brief explanation of how the theology of saints is understood differently in Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant contexts. ​
The bible in chronology
An introduction to the most recent scholarship on how the Bible was formed over time, drawing particularly on the work of Dr. David Carr (The Formation of the Hebrew Bible: A New Reconstruction) as well as other noted scholars. Particular attention is given to the formation of Genesis, Deuteronomy, Job, the prophets, the Gospels, and Paul’s epistles. All texts are placed in their religious, political, economic, and literary contexts to show how Bible is a collection of books in conversation with each other as well as with other ancient texts. ​
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A discussion of suffering, trauma, and solidarity in the context of spiritual and social life. How does the way of Jesus invite us into a different kind of relationship with our grief? How can we faithfully lean into postures of humility and “self-emptying” without falling into patterns of self-harm? Drawing on the work of Sarah Coakley, Walter Wink, Barbara Holmes, and the Kingian Nonviolence curriculum, as well as clinical resources for building resilience in and through experiences of suffering, this conversion does not shy away from tough questions, but provides psychologically and theologically grounded resources for wrestling with them in the context of faith. ​​
beatitudes and the Way of Kenosis: Suffering, Solidarity, & Love
​Liturgical seasons: cycles in sacred time
An introduction to the history and theology of liturgical seasons, highlighting the tensions between our experiences of religious and secular time. Daily, weekly, and yearly cycles of liturgical time are situated within a larger Biblical framework of Sabbath. Participants are invited to live more fully into a sensibility of “sacred time,” even in the context of busy everyday lives.​​
The Stories we tell: Theology, Myth, & Pop Culture
This discussion of myth, storytelling, and religion can cover a wide range of topics relating to folklore, fantasy, sci-fi, and pop culture fandoms, depending on the specific interests of the group and the time available. Storytelling franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, Harry Potter, and Disney are considered alongside the use of storytelling and myth in advertising/branding and in sociopolitical discourse, and informed by historical perspectives from George MacDonald, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Joseph Campbell. ​
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An introduction to the concept of discernment as it is understood within a Christian theological framework. Four common models for discernment are introduced: the Ignatian spiritual exercises, Quaker clearness committees, Four Voices, and Embodied Listening. The benefits and limitations of each model are examined through real-life examples that emphasize the need for a balanced approach between inward and outward forms of listening. ​​
the Way of Discernment: Listening for God
Celtic Art & Spirituality
An introduction to pre-modern frameworks of Christian thought and practice through the lens of the “Celtic” saints and their stories and practices. Popular assumptions about Celtic history and culture are gently corrected while historical examples from Celtic art and tradition will provide a more grounded sense of how the incarnational theology of Christ came to be embodied within the the “green desert" of the British Isles.
SEASONAL
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS
Liturgical seasons: cycles in sacred time
Advent is a season when the tensions between sacred and secular time are especially felt. In the midst of a cultural season marked by the hustle & bustle of shopping, parties, and a seemingly neverending to-do list, our liturgical tradition calls us into a time for quiet, self-reflection, and calm expectation. Drawing on the Christian monastic tradition, this 4-week class places the cycles of daily, weekly, and yearly prayer within a larger Biblical framework of Sabbath that invites participants to live into a deeper sense of “sacred time” even in the midst of modern everyday life.​
​Incarnation & salvation
A 4-week contemplative exploration of the theology of the incarnation, guided by the early church fathers as well as later theologians like Isaac of Ninevah, Maximus the Confessor, and John Duns Scotus. We will prayerfully explore the deep meaning of Christ’s embodiment and its implications for human salvation and the transformation of all creation. ​​
The messiness of Christmas
An offering for years with a Second Sunday of Christmas; an opportunity to explore how new birth always disrupts old ways of thinking and being. The “messy” everyday realities of the Christmas season and the secular new year are tied to themes of hope, new life, and change through this meditation on the prophets, the parables of Jesus, and the early Christian martyrs. ​
12 Days of Christmas (Guidebook)
A day-by-day guidebook offering readings, reflections, prayers, and spiritual practices for each day of Christmas that invite personal theological reflection on the messiness of new birth, and the possibility of opening ourselves to change and allowing God to do “a new thing” in our lives. ​​​​
EPIPHANYTIDE
​St. Brigid’s Day & the wisdom of seasons
Stories and wisdom from St. Brigid and other saints of the Celtic tradition are shared as participants gather to make St. Brigid crosses and discuss the relationship between the Christian faith and the seasonal cycles of the natural world. Participants are encouraged to look for the first signs of new life all around them - in nature, in their own lives, and in their communities.​​​
the Light of the World
Scenes from the earthly ministry of Jesus will guide this reflection during Epiphanytide on the mystery of light coming into the world through the person of Jesus Christ. This can be offered in a single class, or extended into a multi-session series that stretches over the 4 to 10 weeks between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday. Optional: Pair with a Candlemas celebration on the Sunday closest to February 2nd to bless the church’s candles, inviting people to bring their own candles from home to be blessed as well. ​
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Lent
​Lessons from the wilderness
Study of wilderness themes in the Bible alongside tales from the wilderness communities of Second Temple Judaism and the desert fathers and mothers of the early church, emphasizing how much of the Christian faith tradition was forged in the wilderness. Connections are made between the 40 years that the Israelites spent wandering in the desert, the 40 days that Jesus spends being tempted in the desert, and the 40(ish) days of Lent, during which we are invited to embark on our own journey of self-awareness, repentence, and dependency on God.​​
Creating a rule of Life
With St. Benedict as our guide, participants will be led through a step-by-step process of developing a regular and realistically sustainable prayer practice in their own personal everyday lives, utilizing a variety of tools for honest self-assessment and reflection. Suggestions for how to adapt traditional monastic practices to life in the modern world will provide a starting framework for how to think more creatively about when, where, and how seek intentional connection with God.
12 Steps for the Rest of Us
An exploration of healing and restoration in community, through the lens of the 12 step framework, expanded for use beyond addiction recovery through the work of Gerald May, M.D. and Fr. Thomas Keating, OSCO. The Biblical concept of sin will be placed within a larger socioeconomic and systemic context of cultural addiction that reveals how the 12 step framework can guide us towards greater self-awareness and healing from patterns of greed, ambition, and control.
HOLY WEEK
The history of holy week
An introduction to the liturgies and traditions of Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum as we have come to inherit and practice them in the Episcopal Church, alongside a brief overview of how Holy Week is understood and celebrated in some other cultures and denominations. ​​​
​Walking with Jesus (Guidebook)
A day-by-day guidebook that offers readings, prayers, and spiritual practices for each day of Holy Week, encouraging personal theological reflection and connections that deepen the communal liturgical experience of the Paschal Triduum. ​
The Stations of the Cross
14 meditations for the Stations of the Cross that invite meditation and prayerful reflection on the final moments of Jesus’ earthly ministry. ​
EASTER
​​Resurrection hope in difficult times
The social context in which the early disciples witnessed the death and resurrection of Jesus was much like our own: a time of globalization, polarization, political instability, economic uncertainty, and significant religious and cultural anxiety. Drawing on the work of Jürgen Moltmann (Theology of Hope) and Michael Lamb (Commonwealth of Hope), this discussion looks at the radical nature of Christian hope in the context of social and political despair. ​​
The Stations of the Resurrection
14 meditations for the Stations of the Resurrection that invite meditation and prayerful reflection on the various appearances of Jesus between his resurrection and ascension. ​​
PENTECOST
Opening to the Spirit: Lessons from the Arts
Inspired by Stephen Nachmanovitch’s Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art, this interactive class explores what music, dance, theatre, and the visual arts can teach us about becoming more open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. ​Through easy improv games and exercises, we learn new ways of practicing our faith by honing our skills of acceptance, humility, and trust.
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season of creation
​​​​Reading the bible with agrarian eyes
This introduction to the development of ancient Mesopotamian agriculture, showing how the texts of the Bible (especially the Pentateuch and the synoptic Gospels) spoke directly to the everyday lives of common people, while also participating in a larger critique of the religious and socioeconomic practices of grain-based empires. (requires at least 3 sessions)
communion bread for Lammas Day
An experiential learning opportunity in which participants make a loaf of communion bread for Lammas Day (the Sunday closest to August 1st) while learning about how bread was made in the ancient world — from wheat grain to flour to dough to baked loaf — highlighting the ways in which the everyday realities of bread-making informed theology and themes of the New Testament.
​​​​saints of Creation
Learn about some other saints besides St. Francis whose lives, prayers, and teachings reflect their affinity for animals, the earth, and the natural material world. Drawing on the work of Neils Gregersen and Elizabeth Johnson, this class will also inspire deep thinking on the relationship between our theologies of creation, incarnation, and salvation.
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Visit The "little way" farm
An experiential learning opportunity in which participants make a trip out to Siler City to visit with Fr. Joe Sroka and learn about the story of the Little Way farm and the Community of the Franciscan Way, a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of NC. The practices and processes of farm life are then situated within an agrarian reading of the Gospel tradition. ​
​​​​Stewards of creation
An experiential learning opportunity that places stewardship of the earth in Biblical and theological context, paired with practical suggestions for how church members can be good stewards of God’s creation, both as individuals and as a community. This discussion will be co-led with members of the community who can offer their own expertise and practical guidance on things like composing, home energy audits, gardening with native plants, pesticide alternatives, and awareness about local issues relating to food distribution and environmental racism. ​
Autumn / AllHallowTide
​​​​The Franciscan Way
An invitation into a Franciscan way of seeing and experiencing the Christian faith, drawing especially on the teachings of Richard Rohr, OFM. The life of St. Francis of Assisi is placed in historical and theological context, challenging some of the ways in which Francis has become sanitized in popular culture, and deepening into a broader sense of what it means to live into a truly Franciscan spirituality. ​​
​​​​​​Ripe for THE Harvest: Stewardship in Biblical context
The practice of financial stewardship is placed within a historical, Biblical, and theological context that draws especially on Sabbath economics (Walter Bruggemann, Ched Myers), and the writings of the early church fathers on wealth. The understanding of liturgy as a “public work” for the common good is emphasized.
​​​​​​The Wisdom of Ancestors
An introduction to the season of Allhallowtide, with suggestions for how to pray with and draw inspiration from our ancestors in the faith. Different cultural traditions surrounding Halloween, All Saints, and All Souls from throughout history are paired with a discussion of how sainthood is understood in Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant contexts.
Spiritual PracticeS
Praying like a monk: contemplative practices
An introduction to contemplative spirituality within a Christian theological framework, with practical suggestions for how to adapt traditional monastic practices to modern everyday life. Participants will be encouraged to build their own repertoire of spiritual practice that connects their interior personal spiritual devotion to their outer lives of common worship and community engagement.​
Praying the hours
An introduction to how the daily rhythms of monastic practice were shaped by the ancient rhythms of agrarian (solar) time. Instruction for how to pray the daily office using the BCP emphasizes how the daily prayer cycle is meant to invite us into a deeper sense of connection with the patterns of the natural, created world and with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. ​
Ignatian Spirituality
An introduction to the deeper spirituality of the Ignatian exercises, situating the well-known practice of the examen within a larger Ignatian framework of discernment. ​
Praying with Icons
An introduction to the practice of praying with icons, including a brief overview of the Orthodox theology of images and the ancient understanding of the powers of sight. Premodern ways of relating to images are contrasted with the typical modern Western experience of images, particularly in the context of marketing and social media. A discussion of Protestant iconoclasm can be included here when helpful. ​
​Praying with the earth
Drawing on a variety of Biblical passages and stories/prayers from saints throughout church history, participants are invited to reconsider what it means to pursue a restored relationship with the natural world in light of both the incarnation and the resurrection. ​
walking the labyrinth
An introduction to the history of labyrinths that includes its symbolic and historical meanings in the ancient world, its theological and liturgical use within medieval churches, and the resurgence of interest in a contemporary context. If desired, groups can be given instruction on how to create or draw their own labyrinth, with discussions of different styles and the symbolic associations of each.​
Intro to the Enneagram
An introduction to how the Enneagram system can be understood within a Christian theological context, along with a more nuanced psychological framework that draws on trauma studies and the clinical framework of Helen Palmer and Beatrice Chestnut. Healthy ways of engaging with the system as a tool for self-awareness are contrasted with some of the more popular approaches found on social media and in corporate business culture.​
Singing as a spiritual Practice
Insights from music therapy and the teachings of John Chrysostom guide this exploration of the inward postures that give spiritual depth to our practice of singing, regardless of what we are singing or our level of musical talent. ​
RETREATS
Women of the Way
A retreat for women
Drawing on stories from women in the Bible and throughout church history, this retreat introduces a more nuanced theological reflection on the dialectical tension between Mary and Martha, with special attention to the Christian concept of kenosis (self-employing) as distinct from the typical postures of self-denial and self-sacrifice that are commonly expected of women. ​
The Wisdom of Elders
A retreat for people ages 55+
This retreat encourages bonding over shared generational experiences, while inviting a greater awareness of the particular blind spots that develop in every generation based on the common cultural assumptions and anxieties of the times in which we grew up. Participants are invited into a process of honest self-reflection, integration, and the development of generational wisdom. Suggestions are offered for how to connect and share wisdom with younger generations while also continuing to listen and learn from them.
The Way of Discernment
A retreat for vestries and other decision-making groups
This retreat introduces up to four traditional models for discernment: the Ignatian spiritual exericses, the Quaker clearness committee, Four Voices, and Embodied Listening. The benefits and limitations of each are explored through real-life examples of decision-making, emphasizing the need for balance between inward and outward postures of listening. Suggestions are offered for how to draw wisdom from each model while adapting them to everyday situations.
Pray Like a monk: intro to contemplative practice
A retreat for anyone wishing to deepen their spiritual life in the Christian faith tradition
This retreat introduces contemplative spirituality and historical monastic practice within a Christian theological framework. Participants will be introduced to a variety of contemplative practices, with suggestions for how to adapt the traditional practices of the monastery to modern daily life, in ways that connect practices of inward devotion to outward practices of common prayer and community engagement. Any of the following practices may be introduced: the rule of life, centering prayer, praying the hours (the BCP daily office), the Ignatian spiritual exercises, lectio divina, the rosary, chant, walking meditation, and praying with icons.
"St Ignatius in Cardoner” by Galina Oussatcheva (at Cardoner House in Toronto, Canada)