Adult Education

Adult Sunday School

ADULT FORUM
Sundays | 9:15-10:15 a.m.
The Sunday Adult Forum offers a large-group setting in which we explore questions, themes, and scriptures pertinent to a life of faith. Unless advertised otherwise, the Forum will meet in Bishops Hall. Contact: Fr. Drew

The Gospel According to TED
Aug. 14, 21, 28
Join Fr. Chris as he leads discussion on recent TED talks from leading thought leaders. Each meeting begins with a viewing of a talk on an engaging topic, followed by a guided reflection.

World Religions 101
Sept. 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9
St. James is pleased to host religious leaders from the Baton Rouge area to offer presentations on the essentials of world religions. Religions included are Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Eastern Orthodoxy.

The Devil Made Me Do It: Horrendous Evils and the Goodness of God
Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13
Why do terrible things happen? Where is God in the midst of the atrocities that fill headlines? This three-week forum series will explore what the Bible and the Christian tradition have to say regarding horrendous evils and the goodness of God.

Covenant, Faith, and Righteousness: The Epistle to the Romans
Dec. 4, 11, 18
This three-part series will delve into the most-quoted (and most-debated) of the Pauline epistles, Romans. Each meeting will take up key questions and themes present in the book and in the history of interpretation.

Virtue in the Christian Tradition
Jan. 22, Feb. 5, 12
Over the centuries, the Church has upheld the importance of moral excellence, acting well for the sake of the love of God and neighbor. Sessions in this three-week series will reflect on the roots of this thinking and scrutinize what it might have to say in our contemporary moment.

Short Stories of the Kingdom: Parables of Jesus
Feb. 26, March 5, 12
This three-installment series will be dedicated to some of Jesus’s most memorable teachings: the parables. Each session will explore how a given parable’s construction and literary conventions work together to communicate the message.

Walking with Jesus to Jerusalem: Holy Week and Its Liturgies
March 19, 26
Holy Week is the pinnacle of the Church year, and it is chock-full of beautiful and strange liturgies, as we remember the extent to which God has gone for love’s sake. This two-part class will investigate the history of Holy Week commemoration and the liturgical developments that sprung out of it, finally reflecting on St. James’s current service offerings.

Art and Religion
April 23, 30
Artistic representation of the divine has played an integral role in the development of Christianity. Join LSU professor of Art Dr. Ludovico Geymonat for a two-part forum series, examining how art history can enrich understandings of faith and the interpretation of scripture.

Historical Topic
May 7, 14, 21
Knowing better our story can help deepen, challenge, and encourage how we, as the Church, can live into the call to love God and neighbor. This three-part series will investigate a yet-to-be-determined development in church history that will serve to illuminate the faith we profess and the world we inhabit.

COFFEE & CONVERSATIONS LECTIONARY STUDY
Sundays | 9:15-10:10 a.m.
For those desiring a small-group formation, St. James is pleased to offer Coffee & Conversation, a discussion-based lectionary study. This group is lay-led and a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and reflection. Coffee & Conversation will meet at The Vintage, a downtown café located at 333 Laurel Street.

Adult Inquirers Class
Sept.11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 9
12-1 p.m. | Ministries Center Vestry Room
What does it mean to be an Episcopalian and what is distinctive about it in the age in which we live? Those will be our motivating questions for the Adult Inquirers Class. Over five Sundays, we will explore the history, theology, and practice of the Episcopal Church. Topics discussed will include scripture, worship, and sacraments, among others. All are welcome; and this class is necessary for those adults wishing to be confirmed or received into The Episcopal Church at the bishop’s visitation on October 23. The class meets in Coleman Hall following the 10:30 a.m. service. Lunch is provided.
Contact: Fr. Drew

Sunday Book Study
9:15 a.m.–10:15 a.m. | Foyer Room
As a new addition to this program year, St. James is pleased to offer a small-group book study, which meet on first Sundays for guided discussion. Books will be discussed on the dates assigned.
Oc. 2: Love is the Way by Michael Curry
Nov. 6: Learning to Walk in the Dark by
Dec. 4: Notes on Grief by Chimamanda
Jan. 8*: The Love That is God by Frederic
Feb. 5 Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill
March 5: When Breath Becomes Air: by Paul Kalathani
May 7: Being Christian by Rowan Williams
*indicates discussion moved to second Sunday of the month.