It is the belief of the Episcopal Church that education should be fostered at all levels and ages within the church. At St. Michael’s, we believe in life-long learning and because we all learn in a variety of ways, we offer opportunities to learn by reading, listening, discussing, experiencing, and being together in the midst of God. For our youngest, we teach with the help of the Godly Play experience. For youth, we offer opportunities to serve.
Adult Education
All are Welcome
Confirm your Episcopal Identity as an Episcopal Christian
Confirmation classes will begin @ Noon in the Friendship Center and run for an hour and a half.
- April 7th: A Short History of the Episcopal Church
- April 14th: Understanding our Worship
- April 21st: Outreach – reaching out to those in need (offering Mercy and working for Social Justice within our community).
- April 28th: Evangelism – learning how to share our faith with words and actions to attract others to God.
Bishop Megan will be here May 5th, and will be confirming, receiving, and reaffirming those who attend these classes.
Confirmation
In the course of their Christian development, those baptized at an early age are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.
Those baptized adults, unless baptized with laying on of hands by a bishop, are also expected to make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism in the presence of a bishop and to receive the laying on of hands.
The bishop will lay her hands on the person with this prayer:
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant (and the name is said) with your Holy Spirit; empower him, her, or them for your service; and sustain him, her, or them all the days of his, her, or their life. Amen.
or maybe
Defend, O Lord, your servant (and the name is said) with your heavenly grace, that he or she or they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until he or she or they comes to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Reception
If someone has been confirmed in a church that is within the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, then the person is received.
The meaning of “one holy catholic and apostolic Church: “One” because the Church is a single Body of Christ, including all followers of Christ; “holy” as in our practices intend to sanctify ourselves; “catholic”, because the Church is universal (=catholic), for all people, no exceptions; “apostolic”, as in we have a mission set down by the apostles to share the Good News, and furthermore for the Episcopal Church, our bishops come from a direct line of bishops whose ordination stretches back, through the Church of Scotland, through the Church of England, through the Church of Rome, to the original apostles. (From a Reddit post, ZLBurington).
“The person’s name”, we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.
Reaffirmation
This is for people who have already been confirmed but want to study again with the class and also reaffirm their baptismal vows in a meaningful way and have the bishop recognize this.
“The name of the person”, may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen.
Group Study
Many of St. Michael’s groups and classes are using a hybrid format. We are beginning to meet more and more in person and also have the options for members to participate on zoom. Adult Education courses and groups are great ways to get connected with other members.
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Education for Ministry
Have you heard people talking about EfM and wondered what it is? Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of theological education of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a time, for this four year program.
The study is done in a seminar class which meets once a week throughout the academic year, about 36 weeks, under the guidance of trained mentors.
If you would like more information, please contact Janice Bowdler, janbowdler@comcast.net , or Ellen Cehand, harbawe1961@gmail.com. Financial assistance is available.
Community Builder
EfM is a small “community” of learners studying together. Although the course materials provide substantial academic content, the focus is on life as ministry and understanding what that ministry may be. People who join EfM grow in knowledge, ministry capability, and friendships. The first two years focus on the Old and New Testament, the third year on church history and the fourth year on ethics and philosophy. Graduates say that this program is always worth the time invested.
Deeper Understanding
EfM teaches you how to think theologically, deepens your faith, and your understanding of our Christian heritage. The bonds you will form in this small learning community will be deep and long lasting. The program is non-denominational and St. Michael’s class is open to members of other Christian communities.
Training & Licensing
The process for becoming a licensed minister includes discernment, Safe Church Training and ministry specific trainings provided here at St Michael’s and/or through deanery or diocesan workshops. Additionally, the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern California has included anti-racism training as a requirement for clergy, Licensed lay ministers and lay leaders in our congregations in an attempt to further educate our church on the negative effects of racism in our society and possible solutions to create a more just society. Please contact Rev. Mary for more information about trainings and licensing.
