This fall’s spiritual formation opportunities for adults (including young adults) at CCC are designed for a wide range of individuals, and we hope you’ll take advantage of at least one of these opportunities to deepen your faith and spiritual practice.
Book Study: “The Church Cracked Open”
Sundays in September
This September, our Sunday Forum at 11:30 a.m. will focus on the book “The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community” by the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers. In this book Mother Stephanie, who serves on the staff of the Presiding Bishop, examines how events of the last few years have spurred Christians to wrestle with difficult questions around systemic racism, establishment, and privilege.
Complimentary paperback copies of the book are available at the church. We invite you to take one per household.
No registration required.
Anglican Identity
Wednesdays, Sept. 7 – Oct. 5
Join us Wednesday evenings this Fall at CCC to explore the roots of Anglican identity and what it means to call ourselves part of the Anglican tradition. Through conversation and reading we’ll explore the roots of our church, how some of our traditions evolved, and how the Episcopal Church came to be. Most importantly, we’ll discuss how CCC fits into the story of Anglicanism, and each week we’ll study how the pillars of our strategic vision are connected to our overall Anglican identity.
Registration recommended for dinner, but registration for this class is not required.
Sacred Ground: Exploring Race and Racism in America
Thursdays, Sept. 8 – Nov. 17
Join us on Thursday evenings this Fall for Sacred Ground, an 11-part film-and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. Through an immersive online curriculum, we will explore documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is open to all, and especially designed to help white people talk with other white people about these most important issues. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love.
Education for Ministry
Tuesdays Starting Sept. 13
At CCC we heartily believe that everyone is called to ministry in some way, whether your ministry includes preaching and celebrating the eucharist for hundreds of people, caregiving for an individual, or even just lending a sympathetic ear to a friend. If you enjoy careful consideration of scriptures and other theological writings, Education for Ministry (EfM) may be your next step in your ministry journey. Developed and overseen by The School of Theology–University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, EfM is an in-depth study of scripture, church history, selected readings and shared theological reflection within a small community of people seeking to deepen their prayer lives and an awareness of God in their ordinary daily lives. The CCC EfM group meets weekly September through May. EfM is a four-year certificate program, but because we know life sometimes interrupts our best plans, participants are asked to reaffirm their commitment each summer. Visit the EfM webpage to learn more or email Jude Magers or Theresa Stinson.
Breakfast Club
Thursdays in October
Start your Thursdays in October with Dean Gray Lesesne at CCC’s first-ever Breakfast Club, where we will gather for good food, good conversation, and spiritual dialogue.
During October, we’ll be reading the Gospel of Mark from cover to cover. If you’ve always wanted to explore a book of the Bible with others and leave with more to ponder for your own spiritual journey rather than simply the “right answers,” then this is the gathering for you.
Join us at the Sheraton on Ohio Street on Thursday mornings, October 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 7-8:15 a.m. (Attendees will be responsible for their own meals.) Sign up to let Gray know you’re coming! (This event was originally scheduled for First Watch but has moved to the Sheraton.)
A Life of Prayer
Wednesdays, Oct. 19-Nov. 16
Interested in learning more about prayer? Picking up to tools for your spiritual life? Or even developing new prayer practices? Join us Wednesday evenings in October and November as we explore what prayer is, how to do it, and what unique ways we pray as Episcopalians. You will leave equipped with new ways to be in relationship with God and each other!
Registration coming soon.