Christian Formation for Adults
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT FORUM
Every Sunday morning from 10:15 - 11:00 am, the adults gather during the acedemic year, in the Walker Room for a different topic and discussion. A diverse range of topics have been presented in the past including Prison Ministry, the Themes of Advent, the Saints of the Church, the Eucharist in Slow Motion, Environmental Stewardship, Conversations with the Dean, plus many other topics.
BIBLE STUDIES
At various times of the year parishioners gather to do Bible Study. Many different books of the Bible have been studied, and such studies may be lead by the clergy or laity.
INQUIRER'S CLASS
For those who are interested in learning more about what is means to be an Episcopalian, there is a class given taught by the clergy at least twice a year. This class is required for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The next 6-week session will begin on Monday, September 13th at 7:00 pm at the home of Mother Liza.
READING GROUPS
The Cathedral sponsors a variety of small groups that meet frequently for the sake of book, essay, and poetry discussions. Authors considered by the groups have included C.S. Lewis, Thomas Merton, Martin Luther King Jr., Khaled Hosseini, St. Augustine, Mark Mathabane, Rowan Williams, Elie Wiesel, Stanley Hauerwas, Naim Attick, Sissela Bok, Dalia Sofer, John Amaechi, Hisham Matar, Roberto Saviano, and Katharine Jefferts Schori. The groups usually meet in the homes of parishioners or the clergy.
SPECIAL FOCUS GROUPS
The Cathedral has hosted a variety of groups that meet to study a certain topic. Recent focus groups have included a Wednesday night Ethics Study and a Wednesday night Spirituality Reading Group. All are invited to participate. In some cases, significant reading is required to explore issues beyond the surface. These groups often meet in the homes of clergy, but they may also be led by the laity.
LENTEN STUDY GROUPS
St. Paul's offers a variety of study groups for parishioners during the season of Lent. Past offerings having included J.S. Bach's St. John Passion, the Beauty of Lent, Lenten Themes in Poetry, Book Studies, Requiems of the Masters, Anglican Essentials, the Passion Gospels, the Theology of Death and Life., and the topic for Lent 2010 was Artistic Depictions of the Way of the Cross. These Lenten Groups have met at the church and at parishioners' homes, and they have been led by clergy and the laity, both those who are a part of the Cathedral parish and guests outside the Cathedral.
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EFM)
The Cathedral has sponsored EFM in the past and is open to doing the program again as the need arises. Believing that every person has a ministry for the Body of Christ, EFM is a thorough study program for the laity that equips all for service in the church. A heavy emphasis is given to Scripture.
DIOCESAN CLERGY DAYS
As the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York, St. Paul's has hosted clergy days for the diocese. At the time of gathering with the bishop, such days include educational and spiritual components for the benefit of clergy development.
CENTRAL ERIE DEANERY GATHERINGS
The Cathedral is part of the Central Erie Deanery of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York. As part of this deanery, the Cathedral hosts a deanery clergy meeting once a month after the noonday Eucharist. The deanery clergy gather to share the Eucharist, enjoy lunch, and then converse about ministry within the Episcopal churches with the central portion of Buffalo. In addition to St. Paul's Cathedral, the Central Erie Deanery includes the churches of Ascension, Good Shepherd, St. John's-Grace, Trinity Delaware, St. Phillip's, Ephaphatha, and the Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua at the Diocesan House. All are within the city of Buffalo.
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