Spiritual formation is a rather general term referring to all attempts, means, and disciplines intended towards deepening of faith and furtherance of spiritual growth. It includes educational endeavors and prayer as well as the more intimate and in-depth process of a covenant group or spiritual direction.
The St. A’s Justice Salon is honored to welcome several speakers to Adult Forum in a new series called: “For the Good of the Community”
February 16: Carlos Partee - Empowering black businesses in Nashville
February 23: Dr. Ann Coble - Celtic spirituality
March 2: Emily Stutzman, Caney Fork Farms- Regenerative farming and Food justice
March 9: No gathering due to Spring Break
March 16 & 23: Preston Shipp - criminal justice and his book Confessions of a Former Prosecutor: Abandoning Vengeance and Embracing True Justice
Sundays 11AM in the A-Frame sanctuary. 2308 Vanderbilt Place #D
Sunday Morning Lenten Bible & Book Study
Everyone is welcome to a discussion of the Gospel of Mark and The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem by John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg. For Four Sundays, we will gather 8:15-9:00AM in the A-Frame. 2308 Vanderbilt Place #D, This timely book depicts “Jesus giving up his life to protest power without justice and to condemn the rich who lack concern for the poor. In this vein, at the end of the week Jesus marches up Calvary, offering himself as a model for others to do the same when they are confronted by similar issues. Informed, challenged, and inspired, we not only meet the historical Jesus, but meet a new Jesus who engages us and invites us to follow him.”
March 23: Preface, Chapters 1 and 2
March 30: Chapters 3 and 4
April 6: Chapters 5 and 6
April 13: Chapters 7 and 8
Questions? kristine.lalonde@gmail.com
Wednesday Morning Book Study at the Center for Contemplative Justice
Wednesday mornings 9:45 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the CCJ, 5201 Alabama Ave, 37209
Pop in & out as your schedule allows. Questions? christy@staugustineschapel.org
Current Book: Jesus Has Left the Building by The Rev. Peter Keese
February 26 - Chapters 1-9
March 5 - Chapters 10-15
March 12 - Hopeful visit with The Rev. Peter Keese
Next book: Inspired by Rachel Held Evans March 19 – May 14.
Spiritual Direction
Spiritual direction is a time-honored term for a conversation, ordinarily between two persons, in which one person consults another about what it means to live with God in mind. Unlike counseling or psychotherapy, spiritual direction is focused not on problem-solving, technique, or intervention but on relationship with God, questions about suffering, the true self, and vocation. As Thomas Merton once said, “Spiritual direction is, in reality, nothing more than a way of leading us to pay attention to the real Director — the Holy Spirit hidden in the depths of our soul."
Although spiritual direction has had a burst of new life in recent times, it is really quite ancient and simple. Throughout the ages and across faith traditions, we find people seeking guidance on how to choose appropriate directions in response to felt questions, leadings, and inclinations.
For more information, email Scott Owings at scott@staugustineschapel.org.
Grief as Praise: A Conversation with the Rev. Dr. Scott Owings and tallu quinn From the January 31, 2021 Home Church Service at St. Augustine’s Chapel
Covenant Groups
Covenant Groups are small (typically 7-10 members), and meet together regularly (often weekly) for the express purpose of encouraging each other through honest conversation and prayer. For more information, email Scott Owings at scott@staugustineschapel.org.