Adult Formation
Sunday Morning Formation
9:30a.m. - 10:15a.m.
Rector's Forum | The Chapel
Epiphany - Led by The Rev. Katie Bradshaw
The Bible shows up in more places than we often realize—films, television, music, novels, and everyday language are filled with biblical themes, images, and echoes. During Epiphany we will explore how Scripture appears in popular culture. Together, we’ll look at clips, songs, and stories as conversation partners, using them to reflect on our own lives, faith, questions, and hopes. No prior biblical expertise required. Come with your curiosity about how ancient texts continue to shape the stories we tell today.
Bible Study | LL Westminster Classroom
Led by Dr. Edward Bolen
The Thomas Cranmer Class will begin our winter session Sunday, January 18. We will focus on Genesis this winter and Exodus after Easter. In Year A (our current lectionary year), the Old Testament semi-continuous readings center around the major covenant readings in Genesis and Exodus, exploring the covenant with the Patriarchs of Israel and with Moses. The lectionary will be our road map to explore the primary focus of the Hebrew Bible: the covenant between God and the children of Israel.
Sunday Afternoon
Natural Spirituality | Library | Noon
Emmanuel’s Natural Spirituality program began in 1991 and provides a context for exploring inner work by working with dreams and synchronicity. While this is relatively new for our time, it is not new for Christianity. People of the Old and New Testaments were led and enriched by their dreams, as we are today. The program is based on Jungian concepts of the unconscious in a Christian framework and explores the images and metaphors that come to us in our dreams. Journey Group members help each other gain insight into their individual lives by unfolding the symbolic language of their dreams. A light lunch will be served. The group is open and all those interested are welcome to attend either in person or via Zoom. For more information, please contact Heidi Simmonds at heidihsimmonds@gmail.com.
Monday
Bible Study | LL Coventry Room | 10:00a.m.
The weekly lectionary Bible study exegetes the scripture passages for the upcoming Sunday service. We share responsibility for facilitating the group. The group is lively and engaged in hearing how scripture is informing our lives in our context. All are welcome. Drop in whenever you have time. The readings for each week can be found here: https://www.lectionarypage.net/
Living Compass Faith and Wellness Circle Begins Mon, Jan 26, 2026 | Library | 3:00p.m.
We all have different compasses inside that vie for our attention and try to guide us, and we all get out of balance at certain times. Living Compass is an invitation to seek balance with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, which is based on the verses found in both the New Testament and in Hebrew Scripture. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind (Luke 10:27, Deuteronomy 6:5). All are welcome wherever you are on your spiritual journey. Please consider this journey of wellness and wholeness as we make space to be still and hear from God.
We will meet for six Monday’s Jan 26-Mar 9 in the library at 3PM for 1 hour.
Please reach out to the Rev Cheryl Brainard to register, or for more information at rev.cheryl@emmanuelathens.org. You may also learn more about this at livingcompass.org
Living Well in the Midst of Grief Begins Mon, Jan 26, 2026 | Library | 4:oop.m.
Grief comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The way we respond to and process grief depends on the relationship, manner of death, if and how you were able to say goodbye, as well as our beliefs, background, and personality. We also acknowledge grief from sources other than death, such as the loss of health and independence, a job, moving, sending a child off to school, divorce, to mention a few.
As part of a plan to live in wholeness through all aspects of our faith and life, our Grief Support group is forming a new group on Monday’s beginning Jan 26. We will meet in the library beginning at 4PM. Please reach out to the Rev. Cheryl Brainard at rev.cheryl@emmanuelathens.org to register, or for more information.
Tuesday
Natural Spirituality | Library | 10:00a.m.
Emmanuel’s Natural Spirituality program began in 1991 and provides a context for exploring inner work by working with dreams and synchronicity. While this is relatively new for our time, it is not new for Christianity. People of the Old and New testaments were led and enriched by their dreams, as we are today. The program is based on Jungian concepts of the unconscious in a Christian framework and explores the images and metaphors that come to us in our dreams. Journey Group members help each other gain insight into their individual lives by unfolding the symbolic language of their dreams. The group is open and all those interested are welcome to attend either in person or via Zoom. For more information, please contact Heidi Simmonds at
heidihsimmonds@gmail.com.
Wednesday
Centering Prayer | Chapel | 10a.m.
Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing our faculties to receive this gift. It presents ancient Christian wisdom teachings in an updated form. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts a new light and depth of meaning on them. It is at the same time a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. Our Centering Prayer group meets in the Chapel from 10:00a.m. - 11:30a.m.
Wednesday Night Programming | Common Room | Dinner 5:00p.m. | Program 6:00p.m. - Resumes February 4
On Wednesday evenings, a dinner will be served from 5 - 6p.m. in the Common Room. Programming for all ages begins at 6:00p.m.
Friday
Art and Spirituality Library | 10:00a.m.
Please join us for a new art class hosted by local artist, Laurel Genteman. The group will be studying architecture in and around the church, and reflecting through painting and drawing. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Please bring a notepad and all other supplies will be provided.
The class will meet the 1st Friday of every month in the library from 10-11:30a.m. There will also be an extended outdoor session at Laurel's studio on the 3rd Sunday from 2-3:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Deah Wise at dwise@emmanuelathens.org for more information.
