Education
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 Vicar George Maxwell, 404-365-1088, if you have questions about adult education.
Children's ministries Youth ministries
Sunday School for Adults
Old Fashioned Sunday School
10:10 a.m., in Child Hall
Old Fashioned Sunday School meets every Sunday at 10:10 a.m. to discuss topics of general interest to the Cathedral community. All are welcome. You will find a light heart, warm welcome, and good coffee!
The fall election season promises to be a trying time for all of us, regardless of political disposition. The heightened energy of the campaigns causes us to feel like we need to have opinions on things we don’t really understand, to argue until the person in front of us concedes that we’re right, and to stop seeing those who don’t. The result is pervasive disconnection.
Elizabeth Oldfield, the host of the Sacred podcast and former director and now senior fellow of the think tank Theos, offers a way for us to stay connected. In her new book, Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times, Oldfield explores how religion helps us to develop deep principles and values that help us grow in empathy and curiosity for people different from ourselves. Canon Maxwell will lead a discussion that looks more deeply at Oldfield’s insights and explore how they might play out in our lives. Copies of the book may be purchased in the Cathedral Bookstore. For questions, please contact the Rev. Canon George Maxwell, gmaxwell@cathedralATL.org.
Living Faith
10:10 a.m., in Room 239
Join us as we learn what it means to live out our faith through conversation with scripture and tradition, contemporary books, and, most importantly, one another.
Throughout the fall, we’ll be discussing David Brooks’s bestselling book How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen. Intended for anyone seeking deeper a connection with others and yearning to be understood, this title draws from the worlds of religion, education, theater, neuroscience, psychology, and more. Bill Gates has described it as a guide to “a more humane way of living. It’s a must read for anyone looking to deepen their relationships and broaden their perspectives.” For more information, please contact Canon Julia Mitchener, julia.mitchener@cathedralATL.org. The books are available at the Cathedral Bookstore.
Faith & Fellowship: A Young Professionals’ Journey in the Episcopal Church
10:10 a.m., in Room 368
Our Young Professionals group meets on Sunday mornings during the formation hour. We gather to explore our Episcopal traditions and discuss various relevant, faith-based and spirituality related topics. All young adults in their twenties and thirties are welcome to join the conversations. No advance preparation is required. During the program year, this class meets Sunday mornings at 10:10 a.m. in room 368 on the third floor. For more information about this class, please contact: The Rev. Salmoon Bashir, sbashir@cathedralATL.org, or Keith Dumke, Director of Young Adult Ministry, kdumke@cathedralATL.org.
Enjoy Biblical Greek!
1:15 p.m., Room 239 and on Zoom
Open to beginners, this class includes long-term members who translate using grammar aids, lexicons and commentaries, enjoying how the Greek text reveals nuance and depth in scripture.
First-time visitors can drop-in and need no previous knowledge of Greek. Newcomer classes begin with alphabet and pronunciation practice prior to translation. For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith, 404-365-1093.
Adult Education During the Week
TUESDAYS
The Dean's Men's Bible Study
7–8 a.m., Room 319 (Chapter Room)
This group meets every Tuesday morning in the Chapter Room, September through May, 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. Contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
Early Morning Women's Bible Study
7–8 a.m., Room 239
All women are welcome to this group led by Canon Julia Mitchener; drop in when you can. Contact Canon Mitchener, julia.mitchener@cathedralATL.org, more more information.
WEDNESDAYS
The Dean's Women's Bible Study
10:45–11:45 a.m., Room 319 (Chapter Room)
This group meets Wednesday mornings in the Chapter Room, September through May, 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. Contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
Eat Your Word Bible Study
12 p.m.–1 p.m., Room 239
All are welcome to this weekly Bible study, led by the Rev. Salmoon Bashir in Room 239. Please bring your lunch and be ready for a lively conversation! Click here to join via Zoom.
After The Chosen: Media Practice as Spirituality
5 p.m., Lanier House, September–December
Meets fall 2024 in the Lanier House at 5 p.m. with a 6 p.m. intermission while sharing potluck contributions to our fellowship and continuing discussion.
Click here to view all seasons of The Chosen.
THURSDAYS
Bible Study at Parish Grove (11 a.m–11:45 a.m.)
Looking for a drop-in Bible study this summer? All are welcome to join us in the library at Parish Grove on Thursday mornings at 11 a.m. The Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener leads the Bible study with a focus on the upcoming Sunday lectionary readings. Note: You do not need to be a Parish Grove resident to participate! Simply check in at the front desk when you arrive, and you’ll find a warm welcome.
October Book Study (6 p.m.–7 p.m.)
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond
Cathedral Bookstore, beginning October 3
Join us in the Cathedral Bookstore each Thursday evening in October for a discussion of Matthew Desmond’s Pulitzer Prize winning title Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Named one of Time Magazine’s best ten nonfiction books of the past decade, Evicted follows eight Milwaukee families as they each struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Desmond transforms our societal understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while offering new ideas for addressing one of America’s most devastating problems.
All are welcome to join in these discussions, which will run from 6-7 p.m. beginning Thursday, October 3. For more information or to sign up, please contact the Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener, julia.mitchener@cathedralATL.org. Copies of the book will be available for purchase in the bookstore.
Monthly Group
Thursday Morning Men's Group
First Thursday of every month
8 – 9 a.m., Chapter Room
The Thursday morning men’s group 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.
EfM: Education for Ministry
Thursdays, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a four-year program of the School of Theology of the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. Participants commit only one academic year at a time, to participate in weekly, facilitated seminars that combine lesson discussion, theological reflection, worship, and community formation. Over the course of the four years, students study the Bible, church history, and theology, while reflecting on ministry and developing a wonderful spiritual community. A few spaces are available for an EfM class that begins January 5. For more information and registration procedures, contact Canon Cathy Zappa, 404-365-1043.