THE INQUIRERS' CLASS

THE NEXT SERIES WILL BEGIN SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 AND RUN THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2023.

CLASSES MEET SUNDAYS, 12:30–2 P.M., IN-PERSON IN LEFFLER HOUSE (AND OTHER LOCATIONS; SEE BELOW) AND ONLINE VIA ZOOM, registration required

No matter where you are on your journey, consider attending this series, facilitated by clergy, where we will explore together the basics of the Christian faith through the Episcopal lens. Whether you are new to Saint Mark’s, or just interested in sharing and learning, you are welcome.

After completing the series, many people often decide to receive the sacrament of baptism or be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Attendees are strongly encouraged to attend all six sessions.

Please contact Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com) with questions. Register using this form.

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Forms

• Baptism Form (online version)
• Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation Form (online version)

Questions about these forms may be directed to Canon Wendy Claire Barrie: wbarrie@saintmarks.org. 

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Weekly Meeting Topics and Locations 

Syllabus subject to change. Resources for each week will be posted here as they become available.

WEEK 1: Welcome | February 19, 2023 - Leffler Living Room

• Images of God (pdf)
• The Rev Dr. Wil Gafney on the God of Many Names
• Canon Barrie's blogpost on talking about God
• Searching for a Jesus Who Looks More Like Me by Eric V. Copage
• God in Feminine Form by Daneen Akers

WEEK 2: Stories in the Bible | February 26, 2023 - Carriage House

• Summary of resources (pdf)

WEEK 3: Spiritual Gifts | March 5, 2023 - Leffler Living Room

• Compass Journaling Exercise (pdf)

WEEK 4: Spiritual Practices | March 12, 2023 - Leffler Living Room

• The Tree of Contemplative Practices

WEEK 5: Navigating Saint Mark’s | March 19, 2023 - Leffler Living Room

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• Statement of Lament and Commitment to Action
• Saint Mark's History 
• Diocese of Olympia and Bishop Transition
• History of The Episcopal Church
• Episcopal Assets Map
• Episcopal Dictionary of the Church 

WEEK 6: Sacraments and Worship | March 26, 2023 - Cathedral Nave

Definitions:

• Baptism: This sacramental rite is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the church. God establishes an indissoluble bond with each person in Baptism, adopting us and making us members of the church and inheritors of the Kingdom of God [BCP, p. 298, 858].

• Confirmation: The sacramental rite by which candidates confirm their baptismal promises by expressing “a mature commitment to Christ and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop” [BCP, p. 860].

• Reception into the Episcopal Church: Baptized persons who have been members of another Christian denomination and wish to become affiliated with the Episcopal Church may make a public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their baptism in the presence of a bishop.

• Reaffirmation: Those who have entered a new level of spiritual life or who are returning to church after a period of absence may reaffirm their baptismal vows in the presence of a bishop.