Christian Formation

Christian Formation at St. Mary's is each Sunday morning from 10apm-10:50apm.  Our education is aimed at lifelong growth in the knowledge, service and love of God as followers of Christ and is informed by Scripture, Tradition and Reason.

Adults meet in Martyrs Hall or the Sisters' Chapel.  Children meet in the Moody Wing, and Youth meet in the Youth Room off the Crypt downstairs.  

10 -10:50 AM  Martyrs’ Hall

August 26 & September 2 Canon Patrick Williams, Genesis: A Theological Story of Beginnings

A whirlwind exploration of major themes, people, and theologies present in one of the most important books of the Bible.

September 9 Martyrs Weekend: Come Explore the Gift and Challenge of our Martyrs Legacy

September 16, 23, & 30 Dean Andy Andrews, Six Pillars of a Sacred Life

Using six pieces of Scripture, we will trace crucial elements of a spiritual life and journey.

October 7 & 14 Canon Laura Gettys, Singing the Song of the People: How poetry and scripture invite us to join together and sing in voice more powerful than one

October 21 St. Mary’s Finance 201: Reimagining Abundance-- It Takes God and a Robust Community, we have both! Come join the conversation.

October 28 November 4, & November 11 Janel Kragt-Bakker,Twentieth-Century Saints: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dorothy Day, and Oscar Romero 

To mark All Saints’ Day, come and explore the legacies of three twentieth-century figures who spoke into their time and who push us to more fully live out God's dream for a just society.

November 18 Deacon Drew Woodruff, C.S. Lewis and Scripture: Tracing Scripture and the Faith Journey through The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe 

November 25 Advent Wreathmaking

Come celebrate the Beginning of Advent! We provide the greenery, candles, and wreaths for a minimal fee. This popular intergenerational time includes Advent music, warm beverages, and lots of smiles.

December 2 Jerry Harber, Waiting for the Light: The Readings of Advent

December 9 Annual Parish Meeting in Crypt and St. Nicholas Day in Sisters’ Chapel

December 16 Dennis Janzer, Waiting for the Light: The Music of Advent

December 23 Andy Andrews, The Quiet Before the Birth

10-10:50am Sisters' Chapel:

September 16, 23, & 30

“On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity and Getting Old by Parker Palmer” with Tom Momberg

In what may be his final book, Parker Palmer’s On the Brink of Everything covers an eight-decade-long life of wisdom about engaging with the world and the soul. Books may be purchased at the Episcopal Bookshop.

October 7

“Creation Sunday and the Compost Fairy” with Mike Larrivee

The compost fairy Mike Larrivee will share on local community initiatives like tree planting, beekeeping, and yes, composting, and on the benefits of these—health, spirit, emotional—as well as what we can do environmentally better in our church and homes to care for creation. Plan to walk away with new ideas and practices in caring for our creation.

October 14 & 21

“The Beloved Community—Near & Far” with S. Maureen Griner, Dr. Susan Nelson and Deacon Drew Woodruff

The poor are always with us. The greatest gifts are the invisible ones—come see how love continues to win and abundance abounds with Sister Maureen Griner from the Dorothy Day House and representatives from the West Tennessee Haiti Project who volunteer at St. Vincent’s School in Haiti.

SUNDAYS 10am

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (3-6 year olds) 

led by Terra Nwobilor & Julie Byrd

The themes presented in the atrium are taken from the Bible and the liturgy (prayers and sacraments) as the fundamental sources for creating and sustaining Christian life at every developmental stage, and in particular, for illuminating and nourishing the child in his/her wonder and questions.

Elementary Sunday School (6-9 year olds)

led by Vickie Baselski & Marsha Callow

This class is creatively designed to explore the stories of Scripture through the lectionary and engage the liturgical season through art, games, and snacks.

Middle School (6th-8th grade)

led by Justin Merrick

Using components of the Walkwith901 program, middle school students gather for spiritual formation and reflection on liturgical seasons through art, music, and cultural exploration to integrate principles of social justice into their day to day lives.

High School (9th-12th grade)

led by Justin Merrick

Each Sunday is a lively, open, thoughtful discussion time to discuss pertinent current topics and how as Christians we approach them.  Trips to coffee shops, breakfast joints, and other local venues with various volunteers and clergy are part of this Sunday time together.