Education
Sundays and During the Week
As Christians, we spend our entire lives, from baptism to death, becoming disciples of Christ and growing in faith. As Episcopalians, this process of formation is shaped, in particular, by our liturgy and life together. Therefore, so are our education programs. The Cathedral offers programs for all ages and kinds of learners. These programs are intended to equip us for ministry and to foster spiritual growth through meaningful participation in and reflection on our common prayer, community, sacred stories, and mission.Contact Canon Cathy Zappa, 404-365-1043, if you have questions about adult education.
Our fall confirmation class kicks off on Wednesday, October 16! This class is for adults who want to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church and for those who are new to the Episcopal Church or to the Cathedral and would like to learn more. We will be meeting on Wednesdays, October 16 – November 20, from 6–7:30 p.m. For more information or to register, please contact Canon Cathy Zappa at czappa@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1043.
Sundays:
Old Fashioned Sunday School (Child Hall)
Contemplating Christ: How to Become a Mystic without Really Trying!
A lot of us are wondering about what the church of the future will look like.
The Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner famously said, “The Christian of the future will be a mystic or he will not exist at all.” Rahner was convinced that the secularization of life that began after the end of the Second World War would pull people away from the church. He feared that, if people did not have a deep experience of God, they would not commit themselves to a sustained life of faith.
This term, we will look at what it means to be a mystic (it’s not as extraordinary as you might think!) and how the recovery of the contemplative tradition in the church might change how we go about being church. What, for example, did St. Paul mean when he said in Philippians 2:5: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus?”
Canon George Maxwell leads this class. As always, you will find those things that we think matter most: a light heart, a broad welcome, and good coffee. We look forward to seeing you there.
For more information, contact Canon George Maxwell, gmaxwell@cathedralATL.org.
Living Faith (Room 120)
Join Canon Lauren Holder and Canon Cathy Zappa as we explore what it means to live out our faith through conversation with scripture and tradition, contemporary books, and, most important, one another. All are welcome! We will kick off this fall with a study of the Enneagram, a spiritual personality typing system and helpful resource for spiritual growth. For more information, contact Canon Lauren Holder, lholder@cathedralATL.org, or Canon Cathy Zappa, czappa@cathedralATL.org.
Community, Conversion, and Hope (Room 239)
Canon Carolynne Williams leads this fall series based upon G. Porter Taylor’s book, To Dream as God Dreams: Sermons of Community, Conversion, and Hope.
Parent Coffee Hour (Room 121)
Want to know what your students are learning in Sunday School? Join Jeff Cunningham, Kathy Loomis, Michelle Perkins, and Scott Russell as they follow along with lessons of the students in Sunday School and apply them to the family context. All parents are welcome!
Small Group Bible Study (Room 122)
Jim Bingham and Gordon Mathis lead an ongoing small group Bible Study focusing on a particular book of the Bible for several months at a time. This year, we are reading the Gospel of Matthew.
Our True Selves (Room 240)
The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith leads this series of co-listening classes that aim to enhance our ability to be fully ourselves—our true, worthy, and estimable selves. Topics can include everyday experiences and range through tough political issues as well as lifestyle choices and faith matters. Contact the Rev. Dr. Smith, tsmith@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1093, for class dates.
Biblical Greek (Room 356)
Continuing Biblical Greek classes are offered on Sundays from 1:15–2:45 p.m. for anyone who wants to learn the basics of translation using grammar aids, lexicons, and commentaries. For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith at tsmith@cathedralATL.org.
Adult Confirmation Class
Open to anyone interested in becoming confirmed, learning more about The Episcopal Church, or simply getting to know other newcomers/inquirers, adult confirmation classes are offered at least twice per academic year. Our fall session will meet on Wednesday evenings, beginning October 16, 2019; and our spring session will meet on Sunday mornings, beginning on March 8, 2020.
Bible Studies
Tuesdays
The Dean's Men's Bible Study (7–8 a.m., Room 319)
This group meets every Tuesday morning to read and study scripture, to share faith stories, and to support each other in prayer. Sam Candler, the Dean of the Cathedral, usually leads the group; all men are invited, whether Cathedral members or not.
Early Morning Women's Bible Study (7–8 a.m., Walthour Library)
All women are welcome to this group led by Canon Lauren Holder; drop in when you can.
Wednesdays
The Dean's Women's Bible Study (10:45–11:45 a.m., Room 319)
This group meets Wednesday mornings to read and study scripture, to share faith stories, and to support each other in prayer. Dean Candler usually leads the group and coffee is available. All women are invited, whether Cathedral members or not.
Eat Your Word Bible Study (noon–1 p.m., Room 239)
All are welcome to this weekly Bible study, led by Canon Cathy Zappa. Please bring your lunch and be ready for a lively conversation!
Education for Ministry
Education for Ministry is a four-year program of theological study and reflection. Groups meet to discuss scripture, church history, and theology and the intersection of these areas in their personal experience. The program is coordinated through the University of the South and is based throughout the United States and abroad. Click here for more information.
EfM costs approximately $375 each year in the Diocese of Atlanta, but scholarship assistance is sometimes available. (Contact the group mentor.) It starts each year in September and concludes in May.
There are currently two EfM groups meeting at the Cathedral:
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
This group is mostly comprised of All Saints parishioners, but several Cathedral members belong to this group. Ethel Ware is the mentor.
Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
This multi-parish group is co-mentored by Rick Tyler, 404-375-6470, and Deirdre Glover, 770-865-2141.
Book Groups and Monthly Groups
Word to Your Mother
Second Tuesday of every odd month
Canon Lauren Holder facilitates a book study at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every odd month in Walthour Library, intentionally geared toward busy, busy moms. This group covers a range of topics, including parenting, marriage, women’s spirituality, faith at home, and friendship. While this group is specifically designed for moms, it is open to all women.
Sons of Thunder
First Thursday of every month
Sons of Thunder meets on the first Thursday of every month (unless otherwise indicated) for breakfast, discussion, and fellowship. All men are welcome! Each session stands on its own, so come when your schedule permits. For more information, contact Canon George Maxwell at gmaxwell@cathedralATL.org
Bill's Book Club (BBC)
First Sunday of each month
Every first Sunday, a merry band of readers gathers in Walthour Library to explore books together and plumb their depths for spiritual growth. Ruth Marley convenes this group. We will meet on the second Sunday in September (September 8).