Adult Formation Opportunities at Trinity
Sunday Adult Formation Hour
A variety of classes in a different formats offered Sundays, 9:00–9:45am during the academic year. Generally two or three classes meet during the 9:00 hour each week. For specific questions about Adult Formation offerings contact the Rev. Canon Nathan LeRud (503) 478-1211 or nathanl@trinity-episcopal.org.
Click here to see Sunday Adult Formation Offerings
Mid-Week Offerings
Wednesday at the Commons
Put a little soul refreshment in the middle of your week.
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5:30pm–Service of Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
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6:00pm–Share in a Common Meal and table fellowship ($9 suggested donation for the meal to cover costs, but all are welcome; weekly sign up sheets help us plan). Contact us by Tuesday of each week to reserve a space at the meal.
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7:00–8:30pm-Presentations and facilitated discussions
We welcome you for all or part of the evening.
Click here to see the Wednesday at the Commons Classes
Parallels
Tuesday Mornings - 10am–Noon
Stearns Library
The term “parallels” refers to our parallel lives and how we grow in spiritual knowledge and realization. We read, listen, discuss and question material drawn from a variety of authors, both traditional and non-traditional, with warmth, friendship and humor. While the class has been going on for over a decade, participants come and go. We welcome new members any time! Sally Newlands guides the discussions. Contact: Sally Newlands, (503) 227-2305, sallynewlands@gmail.com
Other Adult Formation Opportunities
Catechesis: The Journey Home
This yearly class is an introduction to our life together at Trinity. We explore the traditions of the Episcopal Church, the Bible, liturgy, church history and ministry in community. The class, which meets on Wednesday evenings beginning January 25, 2012, is the primary means by which adults are prepared for Baptism, Confirmation/Reception, and Reaffirmation of Faith – however, all are welcome, whether you’re new to Trinity or not! Download a brochure here and sign-up at the Information Wall outside Kempton Hall, or contact Canon Nathan LeRud for more information: nathanl@trinity-episcopal.org or (503) 478-1211.
Trinity's Stearns Library
The Cathedral has an active “browser’s library” consisting of more than 2700 books and audio/video items that can be checked out. Even reference books can be checked out. Drop by the Stearns Library (across the hall from the bookstore) after the Sunday service. The library is open and staffed most Sundays after the 10 AM service.
We have materials for people who are interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church, or more about liturgy, history, comparative religion. We have large sections on spirituality, theology, and biography. There’s also a shelf specifically for Trinity’s Elderwise program. We even have some fiction, too. And we do take requests for new items from parishioners.
Among our most popular items are many books, tapes, and CDs by authors who have participated in the Center for Spiritual Development programs, for example:
Karen Armstrong, Diana Butler Bass, Marcus Borg, Joan Chittister, John Dominic Crossan, Diana Eck, Bruce Feiler, James Finley, Richard Holloway, Kenneth Leech, Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Gene Robinson, Richard Rohr, Huston Smith, John Shelby Spong, Barbara Brown Taylor, Tom Wright, Rowan Williams
We also have other video and audio items, including some of the Great Courses series, PBS documentaries, the God at 2000 series, documentaries from the History or A&E Channels, Brother Cadfael mysteries, etc.
If you need to look up something about the Bible, we have many reference books, study Bibles, and translations to choose from.
Note: Right now the Library Committee has openings for more volunteers. Library experience is not required, but attention to detail is. If you enjoy seeing new materials and helping your religious community, you might enjoy being a library volunteer. Visit the library one of these Sundays, and let us know what skills you have to share.
Trinity's Center for Spiritual Development
In its eleventh year, Trinity's Center for Spiritual Development provides adult Christian education and biblical study, spiritual development and practice, public lectures and pilgrimage for a broad spectrum of spiritual seekers and clergy both within and "beyond the gates" of Trinity Cathedral. The Center provides learning opportunities in the following program areas:
Public Lectures series has hosted some of the leading theological voices today, including: Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Karen Armstrong, Huston Smith, Walter Brueggemann, Sr. Joan Chittister and John Shelby Spong.
Spirituality Courses & Practice in Sacred Dance, the Wisdom of the Enneagram, Biblical studies and more.
Summer Seminars bring together internationally know theologians and biblical scholars to explore our understanding of what it means to be Christian and church in the 21st Century.
Pilgrimage led by scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, draw participants from across the nation and are rich opportunities to travel in community, learn about history and traditions of the past and reflect on how our faith shapes and informs our lives today.
Trinity Iconography Institute
Iconography is considered a spiritual practice and journey, carrying with it all the benefits of prayer that any form of prayer offers. The Trinity Iconography Institute exists to teach the ancient and historically correct methods of writing an icon and has undertaken to stay within the traditions and rubrics of the Eastern or Orthodox Church, the guardian of icons and iconography for the past 1000 years. Students are welcome from any Christian tradition and are expected to undertake their studies in a prayerful, meditative and authentic way. The additional benefit is the completed icon that a student takes from the class.