St. Bart’s Adult Formation
Overview
The Adult Formation Committee at St. Bart’s endeavors to support and coordinate opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth in the company of others as part of an open and inviting Christian community. To those ends:
We Encourage
Overview
The Adult Formation Committee at St. Bart’s endeavors to support and coordinate opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth in the company of others as part of an open and inviting Christian community. To those ends:
We Encourage
- Reflection on the Life of the Spirit and Christian responsibility in the world
- Discussion of issues of import to members of the congregation, friends, and visitors
- Book-of-Two-Months Club
- Liturgical Season Guided Discussions
- Study Groups
- With other parish committees (e.g., Pastoral Care, Community Outreach, Fellowship) as well as diocesan and interfaith groups of common spirit
For more information on these programs, please refer to posted announcements or contact members of the Adult FormationCommittee: Rev. Amanda Gerken-Nelson or, Elizabeth Ring.
2026 Offerings
Book of 2 Months Club for May/June: Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang
For the months of May and June, the Book of 2 Months Club read Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang. Fugelsang offers his take -- both deeply serious and with his characteristic humor -- on the topic of White Christian Nationalism. For a description of the book and to purchase it locally, click here. We discussed the book over two Zoom meetings and will regroup in the Fall for further discussions after many of us finish the book.
Book of 2 Months Club for May/June: Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang
For the months of May and June, the Book of 2 Months Club read Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang. Fugelsang offers his take -- both deeply serious and with his characteristic humor -- on the topic of White Christian Nationalism. For a description of the book and to purchase it locally, click here. We discussed the book over two Zoom meetings and will regroup in the Fall for further discussions after many of us finish the book.
Weekly Bible Study
We meet every Wednesday at 10 AM in the upstairs meeting room. We have finished reading Judges and Ruth - the stories of the early days of God's people in God's promised land. We read one chapter each week and draw on the wisdom of those around the table. Please bring a Bible with you or borrow one of the many Bibles we have here at church. You do not need to attend every week in order to participate in the study. We are taking a break for the summer.
Our other 2026 offerings have been numerous already. See below for a recap.
We meet every Wednesday at 10 AM in the upstairs meeting room. We have finished reading Judges and Ruth - the stories of the early days of God's people in God's promised land. We read one chapter each week and draw on the wisdom of those around the table. Please bring a Bible with you or borrow one of the many Bibles we have here at church. You do not need to attend every week in order to participate in the study. We are taking a break for the summer.
Our other 2026 offerings have been numerous already. See below for a recap.
Overview of Recent Activities
Workshop on End-of-Life Planning Friday, May 8th recording
The Fellowship Committee offered a workshop to create an End-of-Life Plan with Leona Oceania. Leona Oceania is an End-of-Life Doula who has a practice called Die Well Death Education. A great presenter and very engaging, she guided us through documents and information that are necessary to complete while we still can. She brought folders with a wealth of resources to help guide us in this process and discussed Advanced Directives, healthcare proxy, burial options, care management and what to share with your family. Click here to watch a recording of the presentation.
The Fellowship Committee offered a workshop to create an End-of-Life Plan with Leona Oceania. Leona Oceania is an End-of-Life Doula who has a practice called Die Well Death Education. A great presenter and very engaging, she guided us through documents and information that are necessary to complete while we still can. She brought folders with a wealth of resources to help guide us in this process and discussed Advanced Directives, healthcare proxy, burial options, care management and what to share with your family. Click here to watch a recording of the presentation.
"Faithful Conversations" Returned for Meaningful Discernment
An opportunity to join with others for discussion and prayer in these challenging times, Faithful Conversations with Rev. Vicki Smith and Dennis Fitzgibbons returned in February and March with reflections based on the book For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional. We are grateful for Vicki's and Dennis's time and guidance of our thoughtful discussions.
Diplomacy on Ice: Climate science, glaciers, and effecting change on the global level
A Talk by Dr. Susana Hancock on March 8th
St. Bart's Climate Action Committee welcomed Dr. Susana Hancock back to St. Bart's to speak on Sunday, March 8 at 4 pm. Susana, familiar to many at St. Bart's, is an Arctic and glaciers researcher who specializes in science diplomacy and climate policy. Susana shared some of her recent icy adventures (ranging from an attempt to ski to the North Pole to climbing the high-altitude glaciers along the Colombian Equator) and how she brings her research to world leaders and into international decision-making spheres to drive urgency and ambition in global climate action. Click here to view the recording.
A Talk by Dr. Susana Hancock on March 8th
St. Bart's Climate Action Committee welcomed Dr. Susana Hancock back to St. Bart's to speak on Sunday, March 8 at 4 pm. Susana, familiar to many at St. Bart's, is an Arctic and glaciers researcher who specializes in science diplomacy and climate policy. Susana shared some of her recent icy adventures (ranging from an attempt to ski to the North Pole to climbing the high-altitude glaciers along the Colombian Equator) and how she brings her research to world leaders and into international decision-making spheres to drive urgency and ambition in global climate action. Click here to view the recording.
Lenten Series February-March 2026
Our midweek Evening Prayer service at 5:30pm was followed by an Adult Formation forum at 6:15pm entitled "Living Water: Baptism as a way of life." For the past few years, the Adult Formation Committee has focused our Lent programming on the foundations of our faith. We continued by offering a class this year that looked at our sacrament of baptism and how the covenants made at our baptism form the ways we live our lives, not just the ways we think about faith.
Our midweek Evening Prayer service at 5:30pm was followed by an Adult Formation forum at 6:15pm entitled "Living Water: Baptism as a way of life." For the past few years, the Adult Formation Committee has focused our Lent programming on the foundations of our faith. We continued by offering a class this year that looked at our sacrament of baptism and how the covenants made at our baptism form the ways we live our lives, not just the ways we think about faith.
Book of Two Months Club
We sponsor and promote volunteer-led* discussion of selected books in the support of the goal of intellectual and spiritual growth and ethical responsibility. Any parishioner may volunteer and lead a group discussing an approved book over a two-month period (including at least two meetings, in-person or on-line). Recent selections:
We sponsor and promote volunteer-led* discussion of selected books in the support of the goal of intellectual and spiritual growth and ethical responsibility. Any parishioner may volunteer and lead a group discussing an approved book over a two-month period (including at least two meetings, in-person or on-line). Recent selections:
- White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in America Christianity by Robert P. Jones.
- Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility edited by Rebecca Solnit and Thelma Young Lutunatabua.
- The Serviceberry--Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, ny Robin Wall Kimmerer.
- The Church Cracked Open, by Stephanie Spellers.
- The Great Transition, by Maine author Nick Fuller Googins.
- The Greatest Prayer: Rediscovering the Revolutionary Message of the Lord’s Prayer, by noted Jesus scholar John Dominic Crossan. Dr. Crossan (who just turned 90!) joined our conversation via Zoom.
- Eve Isn’t Evil: Feminist Readings in the Bible to Upend Our Assumptions by the Rev. Dr. Julie Faith Parker. Rev. Dr. Parker is currently Visiting Scholar at Union Theological Seminary and Biblical Scholar ion Residence at Marble Collegiate Church in New York City. She joined the second session on Zoom.
- Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Franciscan Friar and Ecumenical spiritual teacher, Richard Rohr.
Special Seminars hosted by Pastoral Care Committee--recordings available below
Presentation: Local Resources for Caregivers of Loved Ones with Dementia
Families and friends caring for loved ones with dementia were invited to a special presentation at St. Bart's on May 21st on local support resources. The presentation was led by Lori Campbell, MA, LSW. Lori is a licensed social worker and a Family Caregiver Resource Specialist in Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s Family Caregiver Support Program. To view the recorded presentation, click here: https://c.themediacdn.com/link/http/W5s3f9/i2dTOCjscNQ/miN7zusgPdk_1
Presentation: The Challenges and Gifts Unique to Caregivers of Loved Ones with Dementia
Dr. Susan Wehry’s presentation on the Challenges and Gifts Unique to Dementia Caregivers. St. Bart’s was honored to have hosted Dr. Wehry, who is a compassionate advocate and a dynamic speaker. To view the recorded presentation, click here:
https://c.themediacdn.com/link/http/W5s3f9/i2dTOCjscNQ/OnxlzFsghfp_1
*All activities of the staff and volunteers of St. Bart’s are governed by the “Safe Church Policy” adopted by the Vestry on June 14, 2023, or as amended thereafter.
Presentation: Local Resources for Caregivers of Loved Ones with Dementia
Families and friends caring for loved ones with dementia were invited to a special presentation at St. Bart's on May 21st on local support resources. The presentation was led by Lori Campbell, MA, LSW. Lori is a licensed social worker and a Family Caregiver Resource Specialist in Southern Maine Agency on Aging’s Family Caregiver Support Program. To view the recorded presentation, click here: https://c.themediacdn.com/link/http/W5s3f9/i2dTOCjscNQ/miN7zusgPdk_1
Presentation: The Challenges and Gifts Unique to Caregivers of Loved Ones with Dementia
Dr. Susan Wehry’s presentation on the Challenges and Gifts Unique to Dementia Caregivers. St. Bart’s was honored to have hosted Dr. Wehry, who is a compassionate advocate and a dynamic speaker. To view the recorded presentation, click here:
https://c.themediacdn.com/link/http/W5s3f9/i2dTOCjscNQ/OnxlzFsghfp_1
*All activities of the staff and volunteers of St. Bart’s are governed by the “Safe Church Policy” adopted by the Vestry on June 14, 2023, or as amended thereafter.
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396 Gilman Road, Yarmouth, Maine, 04096
Church Office Phone: (207) 846-9244 Office email: [email protected] St Bart’s is a parish of the Diocese of Maine, of the Episcopal Church, a province of the Anglican Communion. |
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