Episcopal 101 will be roughly following the book Your Faith Your Life: An Invitation to the Episcopal Church, and there will be a total of six classes. The class may appeal to you for a variety of reasons, and it will be open to anyone regardless of their membership status or the reason they would like to attend. One purpose of this class is to prepare people for confirmation or reception to the Episcopal Church. If you are serious about exploring a commitment to the Episcopal Church this is the perfect place to start. I will even give you a copy of the book to show that we are invested in your spiritual discernment in this Church. If you are curious about the Episcopal Church and are not sure if you want to make a commitment then this class is for you too. Though confirmation is an option it is by no means expected if you are not ready for that jump. If you are a life-long Episcopalian and want to touch up on your Church History, Liturgy or Church polity then this class is for you too. You are welcome to come to every class or pick a couple that interest you. However, if you are planning to be confirmed we ask that you plan on attending all of the classes. The books are available in the Church Office at no cost if you are seeking confirmation or for fifteen dollars ($15) if you have already been confirmed.
The schedule for the classes is as follows:
Week 1: Introduction and Scripture
Week 2: Church History
Week 3: Liturgy and Sacraments
Week 4: Church Organization and Polity
Week 5: Prayer
Week 6: Conclusion
Also, just a small note of preparing for the class. Don’t. Let’s dive into these subjects together with a blank slate. Once we cover the basics in the class I highly encourage you to read the corresponding chapters after class. After you read you may have questions on material in the book that we did not cover in class, which we can address in the beginning of the following class.
I am looking forward diving into this material with you!
Blessings,
Fr. Nick
The first Episcopal 101 class was held in the Spring of 2017. Many people attended , they valued the shared information and discussion. We will publish a notice as the next class forms.
We are excited to for this year’s youth program! We are going to continue with alternating between mornings and evenings, and we were sure to offer something relevant to every age group. Your youth leaders are Father Nick, David Cole, Tiffany Lawrie and Tara Williams.
In the morning middle-school students will meet upstairs in the parish house, and the high-school students will join the adults in the library with Father Nick. When we meet in the evenings we will share a meal together and the middle-school youth and the high-school youth will meet with Father Nick in his office.
We also encourage the youth to come and help at Loaves and Fishes every month, and we have come up with at least one big event each month.
August
08/20/2017: Sunday School Kickoff - Morning 9:00am
08/27/2017: Church Picnic at Smith River Complex 3:00-7:00pm (no evening SS)
08/30/2017: Loaves and Fishes 5:30-6:15pm
September
09/03/2017: Morning Sunday School 9:30am
09/10/2017: Evening Sunday School 6:00pm (Fr. Nick out of town)
09/17/2017: Morning Sunday School; After Church Hike on Appalachian Trail
09/24/2017: Evening Sunday School 6:00pm (Fr. Nick to lead)
09/27/2017: Loaves and Fishes 5:30-6:15pm
October
10/01/2017: Morning Sunday School 9:30am
10/07/2017: Octoberfest and Lock-in (look out for more information!)
10/08/2017: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
10/15/2017: Morning Sunday School 9:30am
10/22/2017: Evening Sunday School 6:00pm
10/25/2017: Loaves and Fishes 5:30-6:15pm
10/29/2017: Morning Sunday School 9:30am
10/31/2017: TENTATIVE: Haunted House and Blood Drive
November
11/05/2017: Evening Sunday School 6:00pm
11/12/2017: Morning Sunday School 9:30am
11/17-11/19/2017: Fall Youth Event (FYE) @ Camp Bethel in Fincastle, VA
11/19/2017: Evening Sunday School 6:00pm
11/23/2017: Thanksgiving, Happy Turkey Day!
11/26/2017: NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
11/29/2017: Loaves and Fishes 5:30-6:15pm
December
12/03/2017: Morning Sunday School 9:30am
12/10/2017: Evening Sunday School 6:00pm
12/17/2017: Morning Sunday School and Dirty Santa 9:30am
12/24/2017: Christmas Eve, Nativity activities
12/27/2017: Loaves and Fishes 5:30-6:15pm
Confirmation is when the Church prepares and welcomes new members into the Episcopal Church. Although, everyone is welcome to fully participate in worship and the life of the Church, members are able to run for vestry (our governing board), and vote in vestry elections. The Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Virginia comes to our parish every 18 months to confirm new members, and confirmation classes are offered in the months prior to the Bishop's visit.
