Growing in Faith

At St. Margaret's, people of all ages are encouraged to continue to learn and grow in faith.  Research shows that there are a few tried-and-true pathways that help Christians grow and abide in God.  They are: 1) Reading the Bible, 2) Understanding our Faith, and 3) Incorporating Spiritual Practices in Daily Life.  If you'd like to go deeper in your life with God (and we hope you do!) choose from the classes below to help you take the next steps in your spiritual journey.
 

Bible Studies 


Exploring the Bible
Sunday Mornings at 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.

There are two opportunities to join in a Bible Study class on Sunday mornings, which you can choose based on at what time you like to attend worship.  In these classes we'll read and study together various books of the Old and New Testaments, exploring each one deeply - approximately 10-weeks of study per book.  Plans for this year include a survey of the Old Testament and reading the books of Exodus, Isaiah, Mark, Acts, and more. 

 


Bible and Breakfast
Tuesday Mornings at 7:30 a.m. on Zoom

What better way to start the day than with a good breakfast and the Good Book?  Join us anytime on Tuesday mornings for a small group discusision on the Gospel for the upcoming Sunday.  Our Tuesday preparations make Sundays even more meaningful. This ONLINE group meets from 7:30 - 8:30 on Tuesday mornings.  From your computer at home or in the office, you can join us on Zoom.  Please email the church office to get the link. 

 

Understanding our Faith

 

Practicing our Faith
Sundays mornings at 10:00 a.m.

With the Rev. Mary Vano and Rachel Eells, take a survey of the basic beliefs and practices of the Episcopal Church.  These beliefs and practices remind us that we are the inheritors of the immeasurable greatness of God's power that transforms each of us and strengthens us to serve the world in Christ's name.  In practicing our faith, we learn how to live as disciples not merely one day a week, but every day of the week.

Education for Ministry
Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

Education for Ministry, or EfM, is an international program from The University of the South (Sewanee) designed to train and encourage faithful people.  EfM is a wonderful small group experience, in which participants meet on a weekly basis during the course of the nine-month school year.  Group members get to know one another through sharing of spiritual autobiographies, with confidentiality and intimacy established as group norms.  Group members commit to one year at a time for the four-year curriculum.

There are readings assigned for each week: Year One studies the Old Testament, Year Two the New Testament, Year Three church history, and Year Four is theology.  Through discussion and guided reflection, the weekly seminars furnish an opportunity to deepen understanding of the reading materials.

 

Spiritual Practices

 

Cultivating Holy Moments
Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.

In the spiritual practices classroom, explore a series of classes on cultivating holy moments in your life beyond Sunday morning worship. The Rev. Michaelene Miller and guest teachers will lead discussions on topis of Cultivating Holy Moments including through Creation care, developing eyes to see Christ all around, Advent practices at home, building Beloved Community, developing a Rule of Life, and more.  

 
Sacred Ground
Wednesday evenings, November 1 - January 31, 6:00 p.m. on Zoom

Journey with the Rev. Michaelene Miller through Sacred Ground, an 11-week dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Participants walk through documentary films and readings that focuse on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories and American's history of race and racism. Participants are invited to weave in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity while peeling away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day - all while grounding in our call to faith, hope, and love. The curriculum stems from the Episcopal Church's commitment to a spiritual pracitce of Becoming Beloved Community through racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society.  

House of Prayer: Practicing Sacred Silence
Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. on Zoom

Explore a practice of sacred silence walking the labyrinth during daylight hours or sitting at the House of Prayer, accessible during church office hours or anytime with your own House of Prayer key fob. To learn and practice silence in community, join others virtually on Zoom Tuesday mornings for 20 minutes of shared silence after a brief introduction. On the second Tuesdays, guest teachers elaborate on themes related to contemplation, meditation, or silence. For the zoom link, email arkansashouseofprayer@gmail.com.