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.
Sunday Forums and Other Formation Opportunities
Lenten 2026 Offerings: Christ’s Own Forever
In baptism we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as “Christ’s own forever.” This Lent, St. Paul’s is going to focus on our Baptismal Covenant [BCP, pp. 304-5], the beliefs and promises made at baptism that shape our whole Christian life. Such renewal, going to the core of Christian life and practice, is the most ancient meaning of Lent, and it will prepare the parish for the next chapter in its ministry with the arrival of its new rector. The parish Lent program has five components (download flyer here):
- Sunday Forums*: Each Sunday in Lent, we will explore an element of our Baptismal Covenant during the Sunday Forum at 10:20 a.m. in the Chapel. A short lecture on a part of the Covenant will frame small group discussion.
- Personal Devotion: Following on each of the Sunday Forums, parishioners will be prompted to write, listen, and pray to deepen their connection with the Baptismal Covenant and the upcoming Sunday worship. To mark the season of Lent, parishioners will also be invited to define for themselves a meaningful fast from food and/or digital technology.
- Parish Quiet Day: On March 14, noted retreat leader and spiritual director Kristen Leigh Mitchell is going to lead a Quiet Day retreat at St. Paul’s: Returning to God: Rest, Repentance and Resistance. Learn more here.
- Wednesday Eucharists: Every other week, starting with Ash Wednesday, we will gather with special devotion to celebrate our Lord’s saving gift of himself. Noon in the Church and 7 p.m. in the Chapel on February 18, March 4 and March 18.
- Holy Week Liturgies: Lent culminates with Holy Week — Palm Sunday, March 29 through Easter on April 5. In a succession of ancient rituals and special liturgies almost as old as Christianity itself, the parish will journey with Jesus through his passion and death and into his resurrection on Easter morning. Learn more about Holy Week at St. Paul’s.
If you would like to receive an email each week with links to recordings of the forum and prompts for the week’s reflection, please send your request to communications@stpaulscary.org.
*Themes for the Sunday forums:
- February 15 Christ’s Own Forever: Confirmation and Renewing our Baptisms
- February 22 Believing in Christ
- March 1 Praying with Christ
- March 8 Cleansed and Confessing Christ
- March15 Attending Christ in All People
- March 22 Justice and Peace in Christ
Check our YouTube Channel for recordings of many of these offerings.
A Note About Confirmation
All are welcome to join us for this Lenten series. These offerings are also part of how we prepare for confirmation and reception into The Episcopal Church (reception is for adults who have been confirmed in another denomination) which will happen when the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman visits us on April 19, 2026 for the annual visitation of our diocesan bishop.
Adults seeking confirmation should plan on attending at least 3 out of 5, ideally all five, of the Parish Forums during Lent. These forums will be recorded for those unable to attend in person, but in person attendance is strongly encouraged.
To express interest in being received into The Episcopal Church from another tradition, or to be confirmed in The Episocpal Church, please fill out this short form; you may also reach out to Fr. Robert Fruehwirth at robert@stpaulscary.org.
Youth may fill out this form. Note that youth instruction will be held during formation hour in the Youth Wing. Contact Erica Ridderman at erica@stpaulscary.org to learn more about confirmation for youth.
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.
Other Adult Formation Offerings