Adult Faith Formation

Faith Journey is a series of 10 weekly gatherings hosted by our pastoral staff that give participants an opportunity to hear each other’s stories, explore questions of faith, build relationships, hear scripture together, and listen for God’s call. Faith Journey is designed for seekers and visitors to St. Mark’s, but is always open to St. Mark’s members as well. Typically, we host both a fall series and a winter-spring series, and we often offer two different groups for each series — a Wednesday evening group (6-7:15pm) and a Sunday noon group (12:15-1:30pm).

For 2023-2024, here are our projected dates for Faith Journey groups:

Click here for more information about Faith Journey. To sign up, or to ask questions, email Pastor Mark Gravrock.

Through the scriptures God shapes us in our faith, our understanding, and our embrace of God’s world. In addition to our encounter with the Word in worship, we offer several opportunities for regular Bible study:

At our weekly Bible Study Luncheon we read and discuss the scripture texts appointed for the upcoming Sunday. The preacher for that Sunday guides the conversation. Participants may join in person in the Parish Commons Classroom or via Zoom at noon on Wednesdays. Feel free to bring your lunch!

“Fully Alive” is a gathering of women who study scripture, pray, and share the ups and downs of life. This group meets Tuesdays at 5:15pm in the Fireside Room.

Occasional Sunday Morning Adult Forums take the forms of a biblical study. Our Sunday morning forums are held at 9:45am in the Parish Commons Classroom.

Sunday 9:45am — Parish Commons Classroom

The Adult Forum provides opportunities to reflect on Christian faith in light of current events and the daily decisions we need to make. Topics vary, leadership is shared, and the conversation is lively. Check our weekly newsletter, The Bridge, for upcoming topics.

Wednesday 6pm — Parish Commons Classroom

After our weekly 5pm supper and before the 7:30pm Evening Prayer service, the 6pm hour features opportunities for Faith Formation forums, especially during Advent and Lent.

A mid-summer evening series affords us an opportunity to explore Christian spiritual practices and tools in an informal setting.  For the summer of 2023, we’ll meet on four consecutive Wednesday evenings – July 12, 19, 26, and Aug 2, 6:30-8:00pm, in the Fireside Room.  While these evenings will build on one another as a coherent series, you are welcome to plug in for as many sessions as you wish.

We seek to create a safe and open place for our learning and growing. For that reason, we have adopted Covenants of Presence as a guide for our sharing and listening to one another. THese covenants shape all our gatherings. You can read them here.

Our Adult Faith Formation Team regularly offers other learning and growing opportunities. These vary in format and setting by the season. Watch The Bridge for new offerings as the arise.

A committed and gifted group of St. Mark’s members and pastoral staff continues to reshape Adult Faith Formation for our congregation. If you’re interested in being part of shaping our learning, contact Pastor Mark Gravrock.