Adult Formation

The Adult Formation Commission provides year-around programs to inform, nurture and challenge adults along their life-long learning journey. We offer opportunities to learn about different subjects from theology to spirituality to Bible study to social justice, in a variety of settings from small group discussions to interactive workshops to lectures for the whole community. Many of our programs are on a “just drop-in” basis but we also offer a series of presentations, such as the Lenten program and this fall’s Hands-On Sustainability series.

For people who cannot attend our programs in person, we provide audio-recordings of some of our programs.

The Adult Formation Commission supports other ministries at St. Mary’s by making available Keeping God’s People Safe training and The Next Step discernment process. We also host third party programs such as the healthcare crisis in Illinois presentation by United Power for Action and Justice.

Enlarging our Perspective: Learning to See

Join Deacon Laurie in this three-week adult forum that explores the spiritual practice of Visia Divina: meeting God through Art. Each week we’ll encounter a passage of Scripture and a corresponding piece of sacred art.  As we explore works by Rembrandt, Bruegel the Elder and Jean Francois Millet, and read the corresponding Scripture in which they are rooted, we will discover a new way of encountering the Word and learn a new way of seeing art as an aid to contemplative prayer.
This forum will take place on the Zoom platform on 10/26. 11/2 and 11/9 from 7:00-8:30 PM.

If you would like to participate, please email Deacon Laurie at travelaurie@hotmail.com to receive additional materials and a zoom invite.

Being with Jesus: A Spiritual Toolkit for Disciples, Session 4

On Wednesday, March 29 we enjoyed some delicious soup and salad provided by Laurie Olbrisch and Trish Morris, and engaged in the fourth session of our Lenten program, "Being with Jesus: A Spiritual Toolkit for Disciples."

As a followup to each week of this year's Lenten program we are providing electronically some of the material we discussed so that those who weren't able to be with us can follow along and be enriched and those who were present can have an opportunity to dig more deeply into the material that was presented.

Being with Jesus: A Spiritual Toolkit for Disciples, Session 3

On Wednesday, March 22 we enjoyed some delicious soup and salad provided by Nancy Nesbit and Ellie Gunther, and engaged in the third session of our Lenten program, "Being with Jesus: A Spiritual Toolkit for Disciples."

As a followup to each week of this year's Lenten program we plan to provide electronically some of the material we discussed so that those who weren't able to be with us can follow along and be enriched and those who were present can have an opportunity to dig more deeply into the material that was presented.

Last Call for Lenten Bookstore

Being with Jesus: A Spiritual Toolkit for Disciples, Session 2

On Wednesday, March 15 we enjoyed some delicious soups and salads provided by Dava Kondiles, Carol Johnson, and Paula Risk, and engaged in the second session of our Lenten program, "Being with Jesus: A Spiritual Toolkit for Disciples."

As a followup to each week of this year's Lenten program we plan to provide electronically some of the material we discussed so that those who weren't able to be with us can follow along and be enriched and those who were present can have an opportunity to dig more deeply into the material that was presented.

Being with Jesus: A Spiritual Toolkit for Disciples, Session 1

On Wednesday, March 8 we enjoyed some delicious soups and salads provided by Nicole Mascheri, Anne Schiave, and Bonny Skutch, and engaged in the first session of our Lenten program, "Being with Jesus: A Spiritual Toolkit for Disciples." As a followup to each week of this year's Lenten program we plan to provide electronically some of the material we discussed so that those who weren't able to be with us can follow along and be enriched and those who were present can have an opportunity to dig more deeply into the material that was presented.

Lenten Bookstore