Adult Christian Formation
At St. Paul’s, we make it easy to meet each other. In addition to our Sunday morning worship services and coffee hour, there any number of small group get-togethers where you can meet other people and usually learn something useful in a Christian context, and, for some of the groups, engage in Christian service in one form or another. There are low commitment groups that pop-up, meet only three or four times, and only expect you to show up. There are others designed for those ready for a more sustained engagement and looking for depth. Our groups do not assume any background in any topic and are provide an environment of exploration, where participants are encouraged to bring all of their questions, doubts, and concerns to the conversation as we learn from one another.
Join us at 9:00am and/or 11:30am most Sundays from September through June for discussions with our clergy, church members, or guest speakers. Contact our church office at office@stpaulsbrookline.org for more information.
The path of Christian discipleship is a lifelong journey. God calls us never to stop learning, and to grow continually in our understanding and in deepening our relationship with God, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit. What we do together is truly “formation,” not just education, because we are not just seeking intellectual knowledge. We seek to be formed in Christ, schooling ourselves in practices that help us increase in love, prayer, and service.
Between the 8 am and 10 am liturgies or after the 10am liturgy, we gather for discussion of a wide variety of topics. All are welcome to join us!
A Sample of St. Paul’s Pop-Up Groups
9:00 am on April 14th, 21st, and 28th.
Theology of Work offered by Will Messenger, who attends the 8 am service. The three sessions deal with the following topics:
Session 1, April 14th. Calling: Your work matters to God
Work is a gift from God by which we provide for our needs, serve others, and express our creativity. Yet in a fallen world, we also face drudgery, bad working conditions, exploitation, and bad relationships in our work. How can you experience God’s calling in the reality of today’s workplaces?
Session 2, April 21st. Justice: Building a workplace where everyone can thrive
We all hope to have a job we love. But many people encounter injustice at work, lack opportunities to work to their full capacity, or are deeply dissatisfied with their jobs. What can we do to make the workplace a thriving location for everyone?
Session 3, April 28th. Hospitality: Growing good relationships in the workplace.
What do you remember most about the best job you ever had? Probably the people. On the other hand, the #1 reason people leave jobs is bad relationships with co-workers, especially the boss. True hospitality—putting the needs of others above our own—is a way to grow great relationships at work.
11:30 am on April 14th, 21st, and 28th.
Faith and Personal Finance offered by Brett Foster, our Treasurer. The three sessions touch on the following topics:
Session 1, April 14th. Does God care about your financial well-being?
God's view of money and possessions & God's definition of prosperity
Session 2, April 21st: What can I do? Part I.
Praying over your finances, learning to be content, & Saving, Spending and Debt
Session 3, April 28th: What can I do? Part II.
Stewardship, Tithing, & Life and Estate Planning
Ongoing Groups that Meet Regularly and are Open to New Members
Education for Ministry (EfM) – meets Thursday evenings during the school year. Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, our seminar group journeys together through scripture, church history, and theology. Hosted by St. Paul's & includes members from other parishes.
Scripture Group - meets the fourth Tuesday of each month
Pub Theology Young Adult Group
Knitting Ministry - meets on the second Sunday of each month
Click here for a sample of groups engage in service and outreach