Messiah offers a number of programs for adult spiritual formation.

Bible Study

Bible Study for adults meets at 9:00 a.m. from September through June and 8:30 a.m. during July and August in the downstairs Family Room to study the four readings for that day (complete with maps and stories), ask questions, and share how the Scriptures relate to us.  An enjoyable, exciting time!  No advance reading necessary.  

Cafe Conversations

The Vestry has decided to offer cafe conversations immediately after the 10:30 a.m. service during the 2009-2010 program year on the second Sunday of the month (excepting December).  A popular, but until now occasional, part of our programming, Messiah's cafe conversations are loosely based on the World Cafe model of convivial group conversation, and we have found that these conversations have deepened our understanding and our ties with each other as a parish family.  As always, participation is entirely optional:  special tables will be set up for those who wish to discuss a timely topic during coffee hour, but other tables will be available for those who wish to just chat.

Adult Forum

We have also offered an Adult Forum as an educational opportunity on the third Sunday of every month at 9:00 a.m. in the Lower Hall.  The rector and others shared information or led a discussion or activity on a relevant topic.  Bible Study continued on the other Sundays of the month.  (N.B. -- this program was on hiatus during the interim time between Rectors.  We hope very much to continue this program under the leadership of our new Rector, possibly at a different time.)

Open Book Group

The Book Discussion Group meets in the lower level Family Room to talk about a book, available in paperback or from your local library.  Non-church members are always welcome to join in -- the only requirement for coming and joining the conversation is to read the book beforehand!  

Here is the schedule:

Centering Prayer

Centering prayer is an opportunity to spend time quietly in the presence of God.  We gather in the Family Room, lowest level of the church hall.  The group meets for a brief meditation and an extended period of silent prayer.  We start at 7:30 p.m. and finish by 8:30 p.m., and many find it at least restful and at most quite refreshing.  All are welcome to share in this time of silent meditation, and there is no right or wrong way to do it, so why not give it a try?  Instructions are always provided.  (N.B. -- this program was on hiatus during the interim time between Rectors.  We hope very much to continue this program under the leadership of our new Rector.)

Church Library

Messiah has a cozy reading and conversation area in the Lower Hall, complete with sofas and two large sets of bookshelves filled with books for our members to borrow, including titles that have been discussed by Messiah's Open Book Group.  Books are easy to check-out -- just sign your name and the day's date in the books you choose to take, take them home to enjoy them, and when you're finished reading, simply return them to the "returns" spot on the shelf.  

We are always interested in new possibilities for programs for adults, so if you have a suggestion, just let us know!