Who is this group for?
The Spring Journey Group is designed for newcomers to St. James’ and those who might have been worshipping with us for a while but want to explore more deeply the Episcopal and Anglican tradition that we live out in our own particular way at St. James’. It is an opportunity to get to know others who have been drawn to this community more deeply. We ask that you commit to all of the gatherings, barring emergencies, because it’s important that you have the time to get to know each other. This semester’s Saturday group will meet online during Stage 5 and in a hybrid way thereafter every other week from 1-2:30. Optional pre-work will be offered between meetings for those who want to dig deeper and learn more. This group can serve as preparation for Confirmation, Reception, or Baptism.
Sign up for this session by Sunday, January 9, by emailing rector@stjamesaustin.org. The group will meet on Saturday afternoons, 1-2:30 pm.
January 22, Session 1 – Setting out on the Journey Together
Optional pre-work: The River of Life exercise
Introductions – How have we come to this place? Discussion about the shape of our journey & your questions
February 5, Session 2 – The Treasures of the Book of Common Prayer
Optional pre-work: 1) Do you have a Book of Common Prayer? You can find it online: https://www.bcponline.org/; and the New Zealand Prayer Book used by our 5:30 here: https://anglicanprayerbook.nz/ and the office is happy to lend you a Book of Common Prayer during this pandemic time (email office@stjamesaustin.org to make arrangements). 2) Take a look at the Digging into the Prayer Book handout.
February 19, Session 3 – Baptism and Eucharist
Optional pre-work: Read chapters 1 & 3 from Rowan Williams’ Being Christian.
In this gathering we will do an instructed Eucharist in the style of the 10:30 am, with notes and interjections from the 5 pm.
March 5, Session 4 – The Church Year, St. James’ Style
Optional pre-work: Take a look at the St. James’ Liturgical Year Map.
Get to know St. James’ through the way we feast and fast.
March 19, Session 5 – Holy Week, Holy Living, Holy Dying
Optional pre-work: Take a look at your Holy Week Primer.
We won’t answer all your questions about life, death, and resurrection, but we will discuss how the journey of Holy Week shapes all of our Christian living and Christian dying. Liturgy, life, and ethics converge here.
May 1 & 15, Session 6 – St. James’: Our History, Our Future – Noon hour
Optional pre-work: Read the short history of St. James’.
Long-time St. Jamesians will join us and talk about the history of St. James’, how we have come to understand the practice of radical hospitality, and how we are formed by a commitment to inclusion and resisting systemic racism. Participate in the work of developing a Community History!
On Sunday, June 6, we will celebrate with a Rite of Welcome for all who wish to make a new commitment to the St. James’ community. The next confirmation/reception date is December 18.
