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Adult Formation | Pilgrims in Christ 2007–2008
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Overview Candidates for: Baptism Confirmation (already baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Reception (already confirmed in the Roman Catholic or Orthodox Churches, now wishing to be received into the Episcopal Church) Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows (already confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church, wishing a formal recommitment with the laying on of hands by a bishop) Potential Sponsors (confirmed Episcopalians and members of St Paul’s who are willing to be enriched from the experience of shepherding a Pilgrims candidate) All who seek spiritual renewal, a deeper relationship with Christ, or a fuller knowledge of the Catholic faith Those wishing a greater understanding of specifically Anglican
spirituality and tradition The goals of Pilgrims in Christ are: To draw each one closer to a loving, faithful, and transforming God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — through word and sacrament, community and service, and viewing our lives theologically. To provide knowledge and understanding — an increase in heart, mind, and soul. To assist each individual in establishing, or expanding, a healthy prayer life. To nurture a connection with the blessings of the Church — through the ages, today, and beyond — especially within the context of Anglican and Anglo-Catholic tradition and practice. To help in identifying each individual’s spiritual gifts and the personal ministries to which each one is called. To encourage and support a commitment to lifelong
spiritual pilgrimage. Pilgrims meets for two (+) hours per week throughout the academic year and is taught by the rector, the parish catechist, and others on a teaching team. The format includes prayer, presentations, and group discussions. There is an
off-site Saturday retreat in the
Fall and another during Lent, and this year there will also be a workshop at
the church one Saturday in December. These three Saturdays are integral parts
of the curriculum.
If you are interested in
Pilgrims in Christ, please complete the form below (click
here).
Highlights of the Schedule for 2007–2008
Pilgrims
in Christ is a
nine-month course in the basics of the Faith and its practice. Participants
are asked for an initial commitment of 10 weeks, until the Rite of Admission
(see below). Thereafter the commitment is renewed in additional increments,
through May 2008. A detailed schedule will be distributed in class.
Wednesday, September 5
Wednesday, September 12
Note: The 2007-2008 Class
will be closed on this date. Newcomers arriving after September 12, 2007
will be invited to join the Pilgrims class of 2008-2009, and an assigned
mentor will be offered for the interim.
September 12—November 14
Part One: The Inquiry Period
The Inquiry Period is a time of welcome, hospitality, and addressing the
seeker’s basic questions. Sponsor-Candidate-Companion pairings are
made, and table discussion groups are formed. The history and worship of
our parish church are explored; the basics of prayer are introduced; we
learn the story of God’s people through the Old and New Testaments and
begin to look at our own lives theologically; our roots in the English
Church are traced; and we realize that God has "called" each one of us on
a pilgrimage.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
November 28—February 4 Part Two: The Catechumenate Period
The Catechumenate Period is the
time of instruction. The major themes of Christian theology are
introduced, and we find that the resources of our faith tradition equip us
for a lifetime of theological inquiry and reflection.
Part Two begins by asking who
God is and explores the Cycle of Redemption, the Incarnation, Holy
Baptism, Reconciliation, and meeting Christ in the poor. An all-day
Saturday workshop will be scheduled, and the entire class will participate
in the holy work of our St Paul’s Grate Patrol. This section also
includes a thorough look at Acts 2:42 (including Fr Andrew’s three
patented lectures on the Eucharist), the Nicene Creed and early Church
Councils, and the Sacraments of Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders.
After a basic introduction to
the Season of Lent, and a brief meeting after the 6:30 pm Mass on Ash
Wednesday (February 6), those who choose to continue to the next level
present themselves to the congregation at the Rite of Election.
Please note
that Pilgrims meets on MONDAY nights, beginning February 4 and continuing
throughout Lent. February
11—March 10 Part Three: The Illumination Period (Lent)
As in the ancient Church, Lent
is the time of intensive preparation for baptism on Easter Eve. Having
done the intellectual work, now we are encouraged to open our hearts to
direct experience of God and thus begin true formation.
The themes of this period are
found in the Year A Lenten Gospels. They include: temptation; the
two-storey universe and being reborn from above; healing, wholeness, and
forgiveness; spiritual blindness and attachments; and the freedom of new
life in Christ.
Finding and practicing a regular
prayer life is a focus throughout the Pilgrims in Christ year; but in Lent
we explore an array of prayer methods and aids, to assist the spiritual
exercises of the season—and well beyond.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Please note that there
are no classes during Holy Week. All Pilgrims are urged to attend the
round of Holy Week liturgies, especially on Maundy Thursday and Good
Friday, and culminating on Easter Eve.
The entire Pilgrims in Christ
class attends the Easter Vigil together, sits in reserved pews, and has a
special role in this essential liturgy.
March 26—the end of May
Part Four: The Mystagogia Period
Having received the Holy Spirit
at Baptism and the stirring up of the Spirit at Confirmation, we now
explore what "incorporation into the Body of Christ" looks like as a way
of life.
In Part Four we examine our
gifts for ministry—in our church and in our world. We begin with a study
of Spiritual Gifts, and as we identify our own we find that they can be
matched to specific ministry opportunities at St Paul’s. Then we are
treated to a set of panel discussions at which members of our parish
family share first-hand ministry experiences, “where we worship, live, and
work.”
After a session to address any
remaining questions, Part Four climaxes with the Commissioning for
Ministry.
The Pilgrims in Christ year
concludes with our memorable Evangelism Workshop; individual exit
conferences for all; and a joyous year-end party. Then we all begin a
focused search for new Pilgrims to fill the next Fall’s class!
If you are interested in Pilgrims in Christ, please complete this form:
Or, contact Fr. Sloane, 202-337-2020,
ext. 10, or
Edie Davis,
301-277-6545.
In addition to the weekly classes, the retreats, and the workshop day, there are three public rites (held
at the 11:15 am Sunday Mass this year), plus Baptism and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil—all of which are attended by the whole Pilgrims class.
Our curriculum, new in 2005, is in four parts. Participants are asked for an initial commitment to Part One, and the commitment is renewed in additional increments, through
May 2008.
Time and Place
Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:50 pm (Note: Monday evenings during
Lent). Participants are encouraged to attend the 6:00 pm Mass beforehand and
to bring a bag supper to class. Beverages are provided. Announcements for
the week begin at 6:40 sharp and the class follows promptly. After the
Introductory Dinner (which is held in the dining room), Pilgrims in Christ
plans to meet regularly in the Guild Room.
Introductory Dinner
Meeting—in the Dining Room
Information and Questions (potluck dinner provided by Pilgrims "alums")
Part One, Session
One
Sponsor
Orientation
All-Day Retreat
Part
One also includes a crucial all-day Saturday Retreat for the entire class
at Ron and Carol Meekhof’s cabin in western Virginia. (Car pools will be
arranged.)
Those who have
found a home in our Pilgrims in Christ class, and wish to seek after faith
on the next level, are welcomed by the congregation at the
Rite of Admission.
No class — Thanksgiving Eve
(possibly including a second gathering for Sponsors on Sunday afternoon,
January 6)
Sunday, February 10, 2008 (The First Sunday in Lent) at the 11:15 am Mass
(Mondays)
Part Three includes a key Saturday retreat day on the Fruit of the Spirit,
which will be held at All Saints Convent in Catonsville, Maryland. (Car
pools will be arranged.)
Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Holy Baptism & Confirmation at the
Great Vigil of Easter
(classes resume Wednesdays)
Pentecost: Sunday, May 11, 2008, at the 11:15 am Mass
Commissioning for Ministry