Our Alpha and Adult Education Ministries
At Saint Gabriel's Church we believe that, for many of us, the best path to growth in faith as well as growth in community is through small-group activities. Small groups give us a non-threatening opportunity to learn, ask questions, share our stories and develop close bonds with other members of the group. As we grapple with Christian themes in the context of a group, we build bridges between the Gospel and the world in which we live, discover the relevance of faith in leading our lives, and often find that the work of the group brings Christianity to life.
The Alpha Course: The Alpha Course was created by a small group of Anglican priests in London, England as a non-denominational introduction to the basics of the Christian faith. It is now running in thousands of churches worldwide. Each course runs for 10 weeks, includes an optional weekend retreat, and centers around a series of short, entertaining lectures on such topics as: Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? Why and how do I pray?
A typical evening consists of a delicious meal, a video presentation of the night's topic, and a brief small-group discussion. Saint Gabriel's generally offers two courses a year: one in the fall and one in the spring. For more information on upcoming Alpha courses, please contact Joe Harris.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study: On Wednesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. a brief Eucharist is held in the Chapel, followed by a bible study. The bible study group examines the passages designated for the subsequent Sunday. All are welcome and drop-ins are encouraged. Contact the church office for more information.
Women's Bible Study: On On Wednesday mornings at 11:00 a.m. there is a Women's Bible Study in the church library. This is an ongoing lay-led, small-group study of the gospels. All interested women, regardless of church affiliation, are invited to join the group at any time.
Book Study: Book studies are offered frequently, usually for a six to eight-week period. During this time, chapters are assigned to be read by group members and then discussed at a weekly group meeting. Recent books have included Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense, by N.T. Wright, What Paul Meant, by Garry Wills, and A Life Worth Living, by Nicky Gumbel. Groups typically meet after the 10:00 service or on a designated evening. Contact the church office for information on upcoming book studies.
