Adult Forum
Adult Christian Forum is held at 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings in Browning Hall. This informal class is open to all, regardless of membership at St. Hilary’s. No preparation is required,just bring yourself, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s chat. Adult Forum is appropriate for teens through seniors.
February 19 – March 11 –“Shakespeare: his Church and his Bible” looks at the state of religion in the Elizabethan period, not long after the Anglican Church was formed. These programs will provide an entertaining and informative opportunity to look at how England’s leading playwright gives a glimpse into another turbulent religious period through a combination of lecture, video presentation, and discussion.
Dr. Nick Ranson, who will lead this series, is a retired professor of English and former Chair of the English Department of the University of Akron, Ohio. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Cambridge University where he read medieval history and English and a Ph. D. from Case Western Reserve University. He attended the SW Florida Diocesan School of Ministry Development recently. He is fortunate enough to have spent most of his life reading, viewing, teaching and discussing Shakespeare.
Session 1 (Feb. 19) “Church & State or Church v. State” Branagh’s 1989 production of Henry V: is this a guide to Shakespeare’s attitude to the role of the Church in state affairs?
Session 2 (Feb. 26) “Shakespeare and his Church” Where do we situate Shakespeare in the ongoing “English” religious controversies? Was Shakespeare, for instance, a secret (Roman) Catholic?
Session 3 (March 4) “Shakespeare and his Bible” What Bible(s) (if any) did Shakespeare use and how do we know?
Session 4 (March 11) “The Book of Job and King Lear, The Tempest as Redemption and Apocalypse”
March 18 – “Speaking the Language of the Heart: 35 years answering the Call” Of the 7,000 plus languages in the world, over 2,000 have no part of God’s Word translated into them…yet! After her training in language learning and development, parishioner Betsy Barnour spent 25 years based in West Africa working with over a dozen of these language groups. She continues the work with language learners, as an independent consultant based right here in Fort Myers. She’ll share from her experiences as a learner, a teacher and an administrator – answering God’s Call in her life to help bring His Word to those who haven’t heard. Come and enjoy bits of the amazing kaleidoscope of languages and cultures which make up our global community.
Bible Study
Bible Study is open to any one from teen through adults who would like to share the significance, power, and history of Holy Scripture.
“Not by my might, nor by my power, but by MY SPIRIT, says the Lord Almighty” [Zech. 4:6] Come and learn how the Holy Spirit makes your Christian walk exciting, effective, and dynamic! This 6-8 week study, led by Arlene Ord, will be on Tuesday mornings beginning January 10, 9:30 am in the Parish Hall.
Parenting Group
The Parenting Group meets in the Conference Room to the left of Browning Hall on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Nursery care is provided. Parents of all ages are welcome to join us as we explore raising kids in the Christian faith. We welcome all perspectives and would love to have you join us wherever you are in your family life and Christian walk.
In February 2012 we begin to discuss Wendy Wright’s, Season’s of a Family’s Life: Cultivating the Contemplative Spirit at Home. Rooted in an appreciation of our Christian spiritual traditions that probe the sacred alongside everyday human experience, Wright’s book offers parents a model for integrating family life and spiritual awareness. Parents of all ages are welcome and pre-reading is not required to attend. Drop in anytime!
Inquirer’s Class
Do you have questions about the church? About our beliefs? Why we change colors? Or why we do anything? The Inquirer’s Class is just that, a place to inquire and to ask questions. Those who wish to receive the sacrament of Confirmation when Bishop Garrison visits should plan to attend this course. However, the course is not just open to those approaching Confirmation.Whether you are new to the Episcopal church or you are a cradle Episcopalian, this is a chance to learn more about who the church is and why. Discussions on the history of the church, Christian Formation, Liturgy, the Bible, and Sacraments will be presented by different leaders from our church each week at 9:30 a.m.
February 5 – The Church – Historical and Present, Stuart Miller
February 12 – Christian Formation, Stuart Miller
February 19 – The Bible, John Votaw
February 26 – Liturgy, Dorothy Marshall
March 4 – The Sacraments, Fr. John Gamble
March 11 – The Parish, Ben Lane
March 18 – Make Up Session (12 noon)
Cursillo
Cursillo (cur-SEE-yo) is a spanish word meaning “short course”. In this case, it refers to “a short course in Christian living”. Anyone (clergy or laity) seeking a way to deepen their faith and wishing to expand their knowledge of the Christian life are invited to join the fellowship. Cursillo fellowship begins with a three-day weekend held at Dayspring Episcopal Conference Center in Ellenton, Florida.
A Cursillo week-end is not a retreat, with fasting and extended periods of silence, rather, it is an experience in Christian education. Shared prayer, worship, study, music, fellowship, laughter, and tears all work together to create a loving atmosphere where one can feel the reality of God’s free and unconditional love. An important part of this fellowship is to continue on after the weekend with a small group that keeps us in a life of piety, study, and apostolic action. Applications are available in the office is you’d like to become involved.
