Join us this year as we invite people into a learning, liberating and healing relationship with God in a way that empowers all our work together and in the world. This fall we will have an adult formation series on the Bible and Liberation (see more details below), as well as opportunities for simply having coffee and talking with each other. Please email seminary intern Elizabeth Lienesch with any questions and keep checking back here for more opportunities for adult formation.

Spiritual Listening Groups

September – December

The groups will be a place to hear each other with open hearts. If you join the group, you will be given the opportunity to share your own observations and reflections about where you’ve experienced God in your life, or how the Spirit is moving for you, or any other personal reflection on your spiritual life. And you will be asked to listen deeply as others share, and then offer observations and wonderings — not judgments or advice — about what you have heard. 

All the groups will be facilitated by members of St. John’s who have been trained as spiritual directors. These leaders will gently guide each group’s practices and move the time forward. But the group will also shape their agendas and time together based on the needs, desire, and preferences of the people who attend. 

We will have three offerings, depending on interest. They are: 

1. Spiritual Listening Group —
   Seeking the Spirit: come join a group growing into discernment of the Holy Spirit’s movement in our own lives, the lives of others, and the life of the world.
   This group will meet twice a month at St. John’s (or over Zoom as needed) on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, beginning on October 5th. This group is open to anyone at St. John’s. We will ask people in this group to try to be faithful attendees because we believe the experience is enhanced if we can have consistency of attendance. Learn more here. Facilitated by Susan Swann. To sign up, email Susan Swann.
2. Men’s Spiritual Listening Group —
   The group will focus on six basic principles: LISTEN for what the Spirit may be saying. EXPLORE the mystery of God and one’s own self. TRUST the questions. WAIT for clarity of vision. LET GO of striving for control. EXPAND the horizon.
   This group will meet in people’s homes (or over Zoom as needed) at a time to be determined by the group. This group will meet either once or twice a month, depending on the preference of the group and is open to any men of St. John’s. We will ask people in this group to try to be faithful attendees because we believe the experience is enhanced with group consistency. Learn more here. Facilitated by Jay Hornbacher. To sign up, email Jay Hornbacher.
3. Sunday morning Lectio Divina — This is a drop-in group exploring the practice of Lectio Divina, a contemplative way of reading the Bible. It dates back to the early centuries of the Christian Church and was established as a monastic practice by Benedict in the 6th century. It is a way of praying the scriptures that leads us deeper into God’s word. Join us for this practice once a month at St. John’s (or over Zoom as needed) at 10am. Come when you like, no registration required! Facilitated by different ministers of St. John’s.

Sunday Mornings

September – December

This fall, through a seven part series on Sunday mornings, our adult faith formation will dig deep into the stories of liberation and healing in Scripture. Together, we’ll ask the question like: What does liberation really mean in a Biblical context? What is the relationship between our faith and liberation and healing? How does the Bible relate to both? We’ll dig into Scripture and talk about what we can take from it in our lives today.

ECMN School for Formation

The Episcopal Church in Minnesota offers courses through the School for Formation, as well as posting myriad local and regional opportunities here.