Parish Activities at Saint Ben's
Sunday morning adult education
The Adult Education class between services (9:30 to 10:15)
Tuesday evening study group
The Hollister Institute web page has a description of our current topic.
Education for Ministry group this fall
Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. During the Service of Confirmation we ask God to "Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them." EfM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service.
The seminar group is the nucleus of the Education for Ministry program. A group consists of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor who meet weekly over the course of a nine-month academic year. These meetings are usually from two and a half to three hours in length.
Through study, prayer, and reflection, EfM groups move toward a new understanding of the fullness of God's kingdom. Participants are given weekly assignments to study with the help of resource guides. Students are responsible for setting their own learning goals. They spend between two and four hours in study and preparation each week. In the seminars members have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries as well as to discuss questions which the study materials raise for them.
More important is the development of skills in theological reflection. The goal is to learn to think theologically. By examining their own beliefs and their relationship to our culture and the tradition of our Christian faith, participants can learn what it means to be effective ministers in the world. In coming to terms with the notion that everything we do has potential for manifesting the love of Christ, we discover that our ministry is at hand wherever we turn.
The seminar is supported by a life of prayer and regular worship. EfM groups are encouraged to develop a pattern of worship appropriate to their situations. Liturgical materials are furnished with the course materials.
The cost is $350 and participants need to commit only to one year at a time. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Lorienne Schwenk at 203-5196 or singingkitchen@gmail.com. Lorienne mentored EfM for seven years in Boulder, Colorado, and is beyond excited to have a group here.
Education for Ministry is a program developed by The School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. The EfM website, www.sewanee.edu/EFM, provides a wealth of information on the program, its mission, and an outline of the course of study for all four years.
on-going activities
ADULT EDUCATION - Bible study or other discussion between Sunday services 9:25 am
LITLOVERS’ BOOK CLUB – General reading, novels, biographies, history, etc. Discussion and fellowship. Last Saturday of the month 1-3pm, members’ homes.
CENTERING PRAYER GROUP 3:30 Monday afternoons.
CHILDREN’S CHAPEL - 10:30am on the 2nd Sunday of each month.
HEALING SERVICE – a time for prayers for healing and the laying-on of hands, at the 10:30 service on 5th Sundays.
LUNCH BUNCH – lunchtime social gathering following church, 4th Sundays at a local restaurant.
MEET ME IN SAN LUIS – lunchtime social gathering, 3rd Tuesdays at Golden Gong Restaurant, SLO.
MID-WEEK EUCHARIST, once a month at the home of Pat Armstrong in SLO, [generally the 1st Wednesday of the month.] 11 am, followed by potluck. the first Wednesday, 11:00 amâ
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS – Open meeting 7:30-8:30 pm Mondays in the church nave.
PEOPLE’S KITCHEN – Providing and serving food at Prado Day Center, 1st Saturday of odd-numbered months.
POTLUCK AND PRADO on the 1st Sunday of each month donations to Prado Day Center are collected, potluck lunch follows 10:30 service.
PASTOR’S DISCRETIONARY FUND – On the last Sunday of each month, loose plate offering is designated to this fund.
VESPERS AND CONVERSATION – 5:30 pm Tuesdays, at the church. Vespers service using Celtic liturgies, followed by social time.