We believe education for all ages is critical to understanding our faith. Learning is a lifelong process and what we were taught as children might need further exploration when we become adult. On Sunday mornings between our services we have an educational forum for adults. The content offered is within the understanding of junior high school age and above.

We take the Bible seriously but not necessarily literally in our Episcopalian tradition and this requires study to know what this means. In the past we have used Kerygma to give an in-depth study of the Old and New Testaments, including their cultural context, theology, history, and contemporary application. We have done book studies from the Church Teaching Series and the popular press. Lately we have been using a curriculum from the so called progressive side of the church, namely, Saving Jesus and Living the Questions. These have helped reshape the conversation about Christian faith from that which predominates in the press and tries to balance the more public claims of Christianity. Our goal in education is to give alternative views of our Chrstian doctrine so that people can see that there is a range of thought about what the Church claims. It makes it easier to decide what you believe when you can see several sides to an issue or claim.

Our current adult education class is the series called Eclipsing Empire. This series is an exploration of the world into which Christianity emerged. What were the issues of the times? What competing influences were there for spirituality? How did people view this world and where was the moral compass to be found? The curriculum consists or a text written by John Dominic Crossan describing this world of the first Chrisitan century. A video filmed while Crossan and Marcus Borg lead a pilgrimage to sacred sites in the Holy Land, Turkey and Italy is viewed to stimulate discussion. Prepared questions help the learner focus on what is important in each session. The sessions are moderated by the Rector.

The Sunday class is held in the Parish Hall at 9:15 a.m., just after the 8:00am Eucharist and before the 10:15 a.m. family Eucharist.

Education for Ministry (EFM):
A program of Theological Education-at-a-Distance
Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EFM, is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology. Students meet regularly, usually once a week, in seminars under the guidance of trained mentors. The program grants a certificate at the completion of the four years and 18 Continuing Education Units for each year’s work.

Purpose of EFM: Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EFM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. During the Service of Confirmation we ask God to “Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them.” EFM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service.

Lenten Evening Program
Our Lenten program is held each year on the five Wednesdays in Lent. Each evening begins with a simple soup supper at 6:00 p.m. and features a dynamic speaker on a basic theme. We are pleased to be able to invite each year an ethnically, culturally, and religiously diverse group of presenters. This Lenten program provides an exciting opportunity for spiritual challenge and renewal. Everybody is invited to attend this free event, and visitors are given a gracious welcome.

There are various opportunities for adult faith formation – and spiritual transformation! – at St. Stephen’s throughout the year. Here are some: