Baptismal Ministry and Prayer, Sundays in Lent at Noon This Lent we are hosting a focused series of conversations on “Baptismal Ministries” as Adult Formation at noon each Sunday (delayed start on March 11 for the chili cook-off). Each week we’ll explore together some aspect of what it means to live into God’s call in our daily lives. We invite you to take this Lent as a time to go more deeply into the work and life that God has called you to, and to discover that much of what you are already doing is ministry.
We are also praying together each day through a practice we are calling eprayer. Each day we will post a very short prayer service, with the chance for all to post specific intercessions in the comments. Though we may be spread out all across the village and metro area each day, we can still join together in prayer as one body of Christians. Let Eric, Jen, or George know if you’d like to be included.
Baptismal Ministry, February 18, Lent 1 Eric Biddy, facilitator “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s body, the Church” (BCP 298). Although it may not look like it when a baby is screaming their way through having water dumped on their head by the presider, it is also a commissioning to participate in God’s transformation of the world. We are all called to ministry by our baptism, and that ministry can take many different forms. In this first session in Lent, we’ll introduce the concept the Baptismal Ministry and start thinking about how we (can) live into our baptismal promises.
The Ministry of Caregiving, February 25, Lent 2 Jen Enriquez, facilitator We’ll talk about the importance, and the struggles, of caring for others – and the importance of caring for oneself in the midst of it. Where do you turn when you feel sad or frustrated? How does your faith and your relationship with God give you strength? What do you do when you are overwhelmed and angry at a situation, even though you’re thankful to have your children/parents/[insert person you care for here]? Childcare provided.
Vocation, Jobs, and Professions, March 4, Lent 3 George Arceneaux, facilitator The word "vocation" finds its etymological root in the Latin word, "vocare", which means "to call forth." We are each given gifts which are called forth towards a vocation. Some find themselves in occupations which speak to a sense of calling in us. Others may find their jobs totally divorced from a sense of personal meaning. Come and explore how we live out our sense of calling both in and outside of our day jobs.
Prayer, March 11, Lent 4 Sue Youngblood and Ann Gaston, facilitators We live in a mutually loving relationship with God. Prayer is one way we communicate with each other. Our prayer life is unique to each of us, takes an almost infinite variety of forms and changes from day to day as we respond to this earthly world. In this forum we’ll discuss intercessory prayer, healing prayer, contemplative and centering prayer, and the richness of prayer to be found in the Book of Common Prayer. And since prayer is anchored in relationship, we’ll also explore God’s responses to our prayers.
Discerning Ministry, March 18, Lent 5 Hopefully by this time you’ll know you’re called, and you’ll know you’re gifted—but to what and how? And how do we figure that out? Join us to explore ways that we discern what God is calling us to, as well as the ways that we are already engaged in ministry through our daily lives.