Education and spiritual formation are closely linked at St. Andrew’s, as we strive for an intelligent spirituality — or in the words of Bishop Tuttle, "A faith not afraid to reason, and reason not ashamed to adore."

St. Andrew’s Adult Forum
The mission of St. Andrew’s Adult Forum is to provide thoughtful, spiritual education for Christian living grounded in the Episcopal Church’s devotional, theological and literary traditions.

Our 2007 programs included several sessions on Transition at St. Andrew’s, led by parishioners, beginning with A History of St. Andrew’s and Adapting to Change in our parish community. We also offered Lenten and Advent Quiet Days, programs on church art and architecture, and a summer reading group focusing on three novels of C. S. Lewis. The highlights of the fall schedule were a talk on Mary Magdalene by Dr. Ann Brock of Iliff School of Theology, and an Advent Retreat led by our new interim rector, The Rev. Carol Meredith.

We look forward to another year of offering thoughtful educational programs for spiritual growth at St. Andrew’s. Our schedule for 2008 includes a talk on the Cult of Mary, Stewardship of the Earth, a Lenten Gospel study and Quiet Day, and another popular summer book discussion group. Our goal for 2008 is to offer child care for parents wishing to participate in the forums.  Adult Forum Events

Children and Youth
Summer Sundays for children will begin June 1, 2008. We are also in need of a core group of parish volunteers to be trained and scheduled to provide additional support for our nursery. If you are able to volunteer one Sunday per month, please contact the office .

Catechumenate
The catechumenate is a nine month period of training and instruction in Christian understandings about God, human relationships, and the meaning of life, which culminates in the reception of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation (Confirmation, Reception, or Renewal of Baptismal Vows).

The systematic instruction and formation of its catechumens is a solemn responsibility of the Christian community. Traditionally, the preparation of catechumens is a responsibility of the bishop, which is shared with the deacons and appointed lay catechists of the diocese.

At St. Andrew’s, catechumens meet one evening each week over the nine month period. The study is led by a team including members of the clergy and other lay catechists and panelists.

Discernment Committee
This committee meets with potential candidates for ordained ministry (the diaconate or priesthood) to help them determine if they are being called by God to serve in either of these capacities. The committee is also available to meet with those who are discerning their call to lay Christian ministry.

Education for Ministry (EFM)
St. Andrew’s currently hosts one EFM group. EFM is a distance learning theological education program of the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Completion of the program takes four years, during which participants study the Bible, church history, and twentieth century theology. The purpose of EFM is to teach one how to think theologically, deepen one’s faith and one’s understanding of our Christian heritage, and provide one with a new confidence to be Christ’s minister.