The Adult Christian Formation Committee (ACF) is a lay-led group that seeks to nurture the faith and spiritual growth of the Calvary community through inspirational and challenging formation offerings for adults. Classes are led by clergy, lay volunteers, and guest speakers from local colleges, seminaries, churches, synagogues, and non-profit organizations. All adult classes are open to the adult community as a whole.
In a world where the rights of LGBTQIA+ citizens are constantly being challenged in local, state, and federal courts, the need for a safe place for the gay community has become a necessity. Join us for a panel discussion about sexuality and life in the church, hosted by GLEE (Gay and Lesbian Everyday Episcopalians). All are welcome.
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“Theology is a place and a story.” So begins Serene Jones’s book Call it Grace: Finding Meaning in a Fractured World. She draws on her Oklahoma roots and her historic journey to become president of Union Theological Seminary in New York to see God at work in our world. Serene makes complex teachings around hatred, forgiveness, mercy, justice, death, sin, and grace understandable and applicable for our times. The Rev. Paul McLain will guide us in a 5-week discussion of…
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Scott & Ardelle Walters Begins Wednesday, September 8, at 6:15 p.m., in the Library Frederick Buechner memorably wrote, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." Over the centuries, Christians have developed some countercultural language about the work one does in the world. Being people of an incarnational faith, rather than disembodied spirituality, we believe that the Christian life should affect our understanding and practices in all aspects of…
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When writer Kathleen Norris returned to church after decades away, the language of Christianity was a barrier. “Judgment,” “sinner,” “dogma,” “salvation,” were all part of the faith’s “scary vocabulary.” Norris’s wrestling with those words became a book that’s remained in print for more than 20 years. Each week, a short chapter (2-3 pages) from Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith will provide the theme, to which we may add an online article, a poem, or who knows what else (we…
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All around Calvary, downtown Memphis is growing at a fast pace. Join Paul Young, president and CEO of Downtown Memphis Commission, as he talks about the identity of downtown Memphis now, where we are headed, and how Calvary fits into this identity.
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You probably heard that the conflict in Israel and Palestine has been in the news again this summer, but are you familiar with the ways in which the political, cultural, religious, and historical dimensions of this and other conflicts in the modern Middle East connect? Join University of Memphis professor Beverly Tsacoyianis as we discuss conflicts plaguing the region and some modes of healing—emotional, religious, medical, social, and even political—developing in these regions to build safer and more resilient communities…
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The beloved biblical scholar Ellen Davis will preach at Calvary’s Lenten Preaching Series in 2022. Her book, Getting Involved with God, is an accessible, creative engagement with the great stories of the Hebrew Scriptures. Its premise is that the stories are not simply historical artifacts, but sources of wisdom for lives like ours, especially as we think about what it means to live and pray more intentionally, and deepen our connection to God along the way. Join Scott Walters for…
Find out more »Confirmation Class for Adults, Wednesdays, Oct. 13-Nov. 17, 6:15-7:15, Emison Room Whether a newcomer or a lifelong Episcopalian, this class is designed to go to the heart of what it means to be a follower of Christ in the Episcopal tradition. The Rev. Paul McLain will lead us in a 6-week exploration of baptism, an Episcopal understanding of the Bible, why we worship the way we do, how we begin to understand God, navigating the Book of Common Prayer, and…
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Father Richard Rohr, Franciscan brother, author and speaker, is familiar to many through his writings, lectures or daily meditations. Come for the video and stay for the table and group discussions. If you want to get a head start, you can find the video on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=vK_lBkCyCdo.
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This session will consider relational dynamics of the “kingdom of God,” the central metaphor of Jesus’ message, as portrayed in the Gospels. Christians in positions of cultural dominance have often envisioned the kingdom of God as a territory that his followers should build or enlarge. Jesus, by contrast, described a realm of God’s justice and love that his disciples were invited to receive as a gift, enter in a child-like posture, and accept as a reality within and among them.…
Find out more »Newcomers classes offer an opportunity for you to get to know Calvary better. For more information, email Ebet Peeples.
The Grief Support Group offers healing and hope after the death of a loved one or another form of loss. This is done through mutual sharing in a small group setting. The group meets every other Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. over Zoom. Those interested in receiving the Zoom link for the group are encouraged to contact Paul McLain.
This podcast series features Lenten Preaching Series speakers and other faith leaders, authors, and creative thinkers around the world. Search for Calvary Episcopal Church on your favorite podcast app or go to calvarymemphis.org/podcast.
Education for Ministry (EfM) invites participants into small, mentored groups that provide the framework for understanding life and shaping actions as Christian faith is deepened. EfM seminar groups meet in local settings and online and provide a four-year curriculum that develops a theologically informed, reflective, and articulate laity.
Calvary has two EfM groups. Both groups meet at Calvary from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Contact Richard Hendricks if you are interested in joining the Wednesday night group and Ashton Anderson if you are interested in the Tuesday night group.
A men’s Bible study that meets every Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at Barth House (409 Patterson Street) and Zoom. Contact the Rev. Paul McLain for more information.