Adult CHRISTIAN FORMATION & EdUCATION

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION CLASSES

at 9:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall or on Facebook Live. Coffee Is served in the Parish Hall.


Upcoming Topics

  • December 22 - Tom Kelly presents Christmas Carols II
  • There is no Christian Formation on December 29 or January 5
  • January 12-March 2: A series presented by Dr. Jason A. Myers of Gordon College

    Summary

    The Roman Empire was at its zenith, a colossal power that stretched across continents. Yet, beneath its gilded surface, a new force was stirring. A small band of followers of a crucified Jewish prophet named Jesus, were challenging the status quo. These early Christians lived in a world of stark contrasts. They experienced the opulence of Roman cities and the harsh realities of rural life and navigated the complex web of Roman politics, facing the constant threat of persecution. Their stories, captured in the New Testament and other ancient texts, provide a glimpse into a world on the brink of transformation, a world where a small group of believers would change the course of history.  The World of the New Testament class explores the lives of early Christians, their beliefs, and their experiences within Roman society. We will investigate the social, political, and religious factors that influenced the development of Christian thought and practice in the Roman Empire.

    Bio

    Dr. Jason A. Myers is Professor of New Testament at Gordon College. Jason received his Ph.D. in New Testament from Asbury Theological Seminary (2015). He previously taught Biblical studies for nine years at Greensboro College in North Carolina. His research interests include the social world of the New Testament, Romans and Galatians, and Rhetorical Criticism of the New Testament. His interest in the Apostle Paul has led to numerous presentations, and teaching in India, Nigeria, Estonia, Turkey, Italy, and England. He is the co-author of four books including Voices and Views on Paul (IVP, 2015) Paul of Arabia (Cascade, 2020), Rhetoric, History, and Theology (T&T Clark, 2022), and New Testament Rhetoric (Cascade, 2022), numerous academies articles, and his dissertation, Paul, The Apostle of Obedience: Reading Obedience in Romans was published with T&T Clark in 2023. He is also the co-editor of the Proclamation: Preaching the New Testament commentary series with Cascade Publishing and currently working on a commentary on Colossians and Philemon for that series. More recently, he published three articles in the landmark 2nd edition Dictionary of Paul and His Letters with Intervarsity Press. Jason is married to his wife Lisa and they have been married for 17 years and have two children, Augustine (5) and Phoebe (3). 

Recordings of previous presentations can be found on our YouTube Channel.



Ockham's Kegger -

Where Stout Ales Meet Stout Ideas! 


If you are interested in learning about and discussing issues from a Christian perspective in a casual and relaxed atmosphere, then Ockham's Kegger is for you!  This event, sponsored by Christ Church of Hamilton & Wenham, will serve up challenging ideas to anyone who likes to think deep thoughts, meet new and interesting people, and have a brew.


The next Ockham's Kegger TBA soon! 






Other Learning Opportunities

  • Thursday Night Book Club

    Begins on Thursday, January 9th, at 6:15 PM!  Father Patrick hopes you'll join him for this 8-week study of The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God by Steve Cuss.  

    From the back cover: "Christians experience significant gaps between what we believe about God and what we encounter from God.  We believe God loves us, but we struggle to experience it.  We believe God is with us, but we struggle to see it.  We thought we'd be further along in our faith by now.  Often our best efforts keep us stuck in those gaps.  In The Expectation Gap, pastor and systems theorist Steve Cuss shows us how to engage God at a deeper and more fulfilling level.  We will always have to mind the gaps, but we can learn to notice the recurring, predictable patterns that keep us stuck.  Cuss offers tangible tools to untangle our deepest beliefs about ourselves from our most precious beliefs about God and engage him in a deeper and more visceral way." 

    If interested, please email Father Patrick and come to the first class having read up through the first chapter.

    This book is available on Kindle Store or paperback.

  • Centering Prayer

    All are welcome for silent prayer, music, Lectio Divina, Visio Divina, and guided meditations. This is a gathering in Great Silence and Great Presence. Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room upstairs in the Church. Contact: Betsy Retallack.

  • Women's Spiritual Direction Group

    We will meet once a month on the 2nd Saturday at 9:30-11:30 a.m.
    This will be a time of quiet in which to ponder the direction our relationship with God is taking in our lives. There will be a meditation followed by silence during which we can write and/or pray about whatever comes into our minds and hearts.  There will then be a short time to talk about our experience.
    If you are interested, please contact the group leader, parishioner, Judy Norton    .

  • Stephen Ministry Training

    Christ Church offers a 50 hour Stephen Ministry training course each year. The class meets twice per month September - June. Participants are prepared to offer confidential, Christ-like support and care to those in crisis - whether it be from job loss, divorce or loss of a loved one. Click here for more information and a list of training topics.


    If you would like to learn more, please contact: Mother Susan

  • "Going Deeper" Spirituality Groups

    We have been following the Renovaré (renewal) curriculum which has led us into rich discussions of our varied spiritual backgrounds and has prompted the sharing of new ways to come closer to Almighty God.


    To learn more, please contact: Mother Susan


    MATERIALS:

    A Spiritual Formation Workbook: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth, by James Bryan Smith. (Available through Amazon)