Adult Education & Formation

Teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. Exodus 18:20

Formation and deepening knowledge of the Christian faith is an essential part of the Anglican ethos. CSS endeavors to provide illuminating, interesting and challenging educational programs for adults as well as children.

Adult Forums

Christ & Saint Stephen’s offers an Adult Forum on Sunday mornings at 9:30, lasting an hour. The time is spent in learning, theological reflection, and building Christian community. You are welcome to come for any session of interest to you and when your schedule allows.

Luke 24:32, describing the conversation between two men and Jesus on the road to Emmaus, says, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?”

For Lent, we will return to our own “Emmaus Walk.” On the first Sunday of Lent (February 18), Father Aaron will give us guidelines on how to read and respond to a Biblical text. For the next four Sundays, we will read the passages of scripture for that Sunday’s service and react ourselves in open discussion.

This will not be a “Bible Study” forum. Nor will it require a deep background in the Bible. Nor will there be “right” or “wrong” answers. Many ancient people encountered the Lord. The Bible relates how they reacted to those encounters. We will read what they have left us and react to it ourselves, just like the two men on the road to Emmaus.

March 3: Emmaus Walk, Reading and Discussing the Lectionary.
March 10: Emmaus Walk, Reading and Discussing the Lectionary.
March 17: Emmaus Walk, Reading and Discussing the Lectionary.

There will be no Forum on Palm Sunday (March 24) or Easter (March 31).

Book/Video Forums

During Advent, Lent and Eastertide, adults join in evening discussion groups centered on novels, theological works and film and video series.

LENT FORMATION 2024 will take place on Five Wednesday Evenings, February 28, March 6, 13, 20 from 6:00–8:00 pm.

BOOK DISCUSSION: Jesus Wasn't Killed by the Jews, edited by Jon M. Sweeney. Published by Orbis Books, $22.00.

Holy Eucharist: 6:00 pm (Church)
Dinner: 6:30 pm (Undercroft)
Discussion: 7:00 pm (Undercroft)

Wednesday, March 20: Intergenerational Lent Formation for Youth & Adults
Youth Lent Formation, 5:00–6:00 pm
Youth & Adults Lent Formation, 6:00–7:00 pm
Adults Lent Formation, 7:00–8:00 pm

Hospitality Hosts for Dinner:
March 6 Monte Mathews
March 13 Eunice Jackson
March 20 Monte Mathews

Please purchase a copy of the book ahead of time. You may order it through our neighbor Shakespeare & Co., 2020 Broadway (between West 69th & 70th Streets), New York, NY 10023, (212) 738-0001, website.

Quiet Days

Usually in the seasons of Advent, Lent and Eastertide, day-long retreats or Quiet Days are held to help deepen our spiritual experience.

User’s Guide to the Episcopal Church

This lecture series lead by the priest-in-charge, the Rev. Aaron Hudson, is designed to prepare adults for baptism, confirmation or for reception into The Episcopal Church. The series covers an array of topics including church history, ecclesiology, scripture, the sacraments and the polity of the Episcopal Church. The series is held in conjunction with a planned Episcopal visitation to the parish by one of our diocesan bishops.