Adult Formation

We use the word “formation” to name the fact that what we do when we engage our Christian faith isn’t simply an intellectual exercise, but a daily practice—one that takes place over a lifetime. We are formed into whom we are called to be as we study, pray, and live out our faith together.

In addition to Sunday worship services, we have an online daily Morning Prayer offering through Facebook Live. During the seasons of Advent and Lent, we hold contemplative Wednesday evening services in our Chapel. Our adult studies take the form of Sunday Forums, book groups, movie nights, and special offerings sponsored by various ministries.

The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista
Associate Rector
javier@stpaulscary.org
919-467-1477, ext. 12

Adult Formation Offerings

Sunday Forums

On Sundays during the formation hour in the Chapel (10:15-11 a.m.), join Celia Hartnett, MSW, LCSW and the Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats as we explore the meaning behind the season of Lent and the practices that help us observe it. Throughout the season, we will explore the relationship between our faith practices and everyday circumstances – and what it means to be a people of faith who embody hope in the midst of them.

March 9 – What is Lent all About?
March 16 – Spiritual Tools and Practices
March 23 – Acting on our Faith through Service: Relationships and Boundaries
March 30 – Interim Rector’s Forum with the Rev. Sarah Phelps
April 6 – Here Comes Holy Week: Practices and Wisdom for the Journey

Past Sunday Forum Series

2025 Winter Forums: The Gospel of Luke

January 12: Introduction (Luke 1)
January 19: Birth and Preparation (Luke 2-4)
January 26: Break – No Forum Today
February 2: Galilean Ministry (Luke 5-9)
February 9: On the Way to Jerusalem (Luke 9-19)
February 16: Teaching at the Temple, Betrayal, and Arrest (Luke 20-22)
February 23: Bishop’s Forum on Confirmation Sunday with the Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson

2024 Advent Forums: Preparing the Way

December 8: Advent: The In-Between Time with the Rev. Stephanie Yancy
December 15: Advent: A Season of Deeper Listening with the Rev. Carr Holland
December 22: The Prophets in Advent with Will Lee, Diocesan Intern

2024 Fall Forums: The Book of Exodus

September 22: “Now a new king rose over Egypt…” (1:1-2:25) with the Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista
September 29: The Commissioning of Moses (3:1-7:7) with the Rev. George Adamik
October 13: The LORD and Pharaoh (7:8-15:21) with the Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista
October 20: The Wilderness Journey (15:22-18:27) with the Rev. George Adamik

October 27: The Revelation at Mt. Sinai (19:1-24:8) with the Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista

2024 Easter Forums: Sharing Our Story

April 14: How Stories Build Communities with Mary Kintz, St. Paul’s Community Connector
April 21: Of Thine Own Have We Given Thee: Planned Giving at St. Paul’s with the St. Paul’s Endowment Board
April 28: I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me: The Refuge for Refugees Ministry with the R4R Ministry
May 5: A Great Cloud of Witnesses: Artist’s Forum with Kelly Latimore, part of a weekend-long exhibition of icons by Kelly Latimore at St. Paul’s
May 12: In Sure and Certain Hope: Burial at St. Paul’s with the Rev. George Adamik
May 19: Seek the Welfare of the City: Dorcas Ministries and Stable Homes Cary with Jill Straight, Senior Director of Client Services and Advocacy, Dorcas Ministries

2024 Lenten Forums: “Do You Want to be Made Well?” Faith, Health and Healing

February 18: Theology and Disability with the Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista
February 25: Caring for the Dying with Celia Hartnett, MSW, LCSW
March 3: Chaplaincy and Spiritual Injury with the Rev. Ryan Parker, Priest Associate at Church of the Nativity and Teaching Chaplain at the Durham VA
March 10: Caring for the Caregivers with Celia Hartnett, MSW, LCSW
March 17: Sacramental Psychology with the Rev. Phillip M. Bass, MDiv, ThM, MA, LCMHC, NCC

2024 Winter Forums: The Gospel of Mark

January 7: Introduction to the Gospels with the Rev. George Adamik
January 14: Preparing the Way (Chapter 1) with the Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista
January 21: Healings and Controversies among the First Disciples (Chapters 2-6) with the Rev. George Adamik
January 28: Signs and Doubts (Chapters 7-10) with the Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista
February 4: Into Jerusalem (Chapters 11-13) with the Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista
February 11: Betrayal, Crucifixion, Resurrection (Chapters 14-16) with the Rev. George Adamik

2023 Advent Forums: Waiting with the Great Cloud of Witnesses

December 3: What is Sainthood? with the Rev. George Adamik
December 10: The Holy Family with the Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista
December 17: St. Gregory of Nazianzus on the Incarnation with Devin McGinnis

Selected Recordings

2022
Gun Violence in North Carolina with Sara Smith, Organizing Director, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence
Scripture and Midrash: “What is his name, what shall I say to them?” (Ex 3:13) with Rabbi Raachel Jurovics, PhD, Rabbi-in-Residence, Episcopal Diocese of NC
Scripture and Illustration: the Psalms with the Rev. Canon Earnest Graham
Scripture and Poetry with the Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista
The Daily Office with the Rev. George Adamik
Praying the Psalms with the Rev. Alice Graham Grant
The Lord’s Prayer with the Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista
Seek and You Will Find: A Conversation with Rhonda Mawhood Lee with the Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista & the Rev. Rhonda Mawhood Lee, Ph.D.

2021
The Song of Mary with the Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista
Episcopal 102: What does it mean to belong to the Episcopal Church? with the Rev. George Adamik
Family Promise: Helping Families Find Safe, Affordable, Permanent Housing with Carey Phelps, Development & Volunteer Manager, Family Promise
The Liturgical Year in the Jewish Tradition with Rabbi Ariel Edery, Beth Shalom, Wake County

2020
Anxiety in the Midst of the Pandemic with Phillip M. Bass, MDiv, ThM, MA, LCMHC, NCC
Resilience: Childhood Trauma, Prevention, and Hope with St. Paul’s Resilience Ministry
Faithful Citizenship: Where Do We Go From Here with the Rev. Javier Almendarez-Bautista & Aleta McClenney

These and other recordings are available on St. Paul’s YouTube channel.

Other Adult Formation Offerings

Below you will find some of our other adult formation offerings, ranging from movie nights, book and Bible studies, as well as retreats. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the ministry contacts on this page. Learn more through our most recent adult formation news.

Daytime Book Group

Daytime Book Group: This group is open to men and women. We meet in the Youth Wing on the second Tuesday of the month from noon to no later than 1:30 pm. We read and discuss a varied selection of fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, biographies, etc. Members volunteer to be discussion leaders as desired. All are welcome!

Upcoming reading selections for 2025:

February 11: “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
March 11: “The Book of Longings” by Sue Monk Kidd
April 8: “Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth” by Nora Tishby
May 13: “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn
June 10: “The Things We Keep” by Sally Hepworth

Contact: Joyce Loughlin (loughlin1@mindspring.com)

Movie Night

You are invited to join us each month for Movie Night, a discussion of recent and not-so-recent movies, hosted by Fr. Javier, Tad Richard, and Neil McClenney.

We meet once a month on Sunday evenings. The location rotates, usually a local pub or restaurant, and we ensure that non-alcoholic drinks are also available. Check adult ministry news for specific movie selections and updates.

Cursillo

Cursillo Cursillo is a three-day weekend of Christian refreshment and renewal, sometimes called a short course in Christian living or “Christian Boot Camp.” Bishop Curry said, “Through the Cursillo experience and community countless men and women have come to know our Lord more deeply and profoundly. Through the ministry of the Cursillo community lives have been transformed and disciples of Jesus both formed and renewed. This is a sacred and holy ministry for which I truly give God thanks and praise.” The North Carolina Cursillo website is www.nccursillo.org.

Contact: The Rev. Candy Snively (Candy.Snively@att.net)

Morning Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer contains the Daily Office, a set of prayer services with monastic roots that help the average person enter into the practice of prayer in daily life. St. Paul’s offers Morning Prayer over Facebook Live every Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. The service is short (usually about 20 minutes) and it is led by clergy and lay people alike. Anyone is welcome to join in this rhythm of prayer, and the services remain available for viewing if you cannot join at 8:00 a.m.

Contact: The Rev. Javier Almendárez-Bautista