NEW UNITS OF COMPANIONS IN CHRIST TO BEGIN IN FALL 2008 !
The first three units of Companions in Christ, an adult Christian Education program, were held during the last church year.
Unit Four, Responding to Our Call: the Work of Christ, which is a presentation of vocation or call giving ourselves to God in radical obedience and receiving the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit, began on September 17, 2008
The fifth and final unit -- Exploring Spiritual Guidance: the Spirit of Christ—is an overview of different ways of receiving and offering spiritual guidance, from one-on-one relationships to spiritual growth groups to guidance in congregational life as a whole. This unit begins on October 22, 2008.
We will be reflecting on Christ’s call in our lives and discover anew the gifts that God gives us for living our personal ministry.
Each unit is self-standing, so you are invited to join at the time of beginning any new unit. The facilitators for Companions in Christ are Vickie Brown and Gary Gilbert.
If you are spiritually hungry and want to seek a deeper experience of God in company with others at First Congregational UCC church, Companions in Christ may be the way to satisfy that hunger.
Contact Gary Gilbert for more information.
479-2908 (home)
479-2961 (work)
An OVERVIEW of the TOPICS in All Five Units of Companions in Christ
Companions in Christ consists of five units with each unit having five parts. The five units enable us to immerse ourselves in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, scripture, study, worship, ministry, and Christian conversation. These means of grace are the common ways in which Christ meets people, renews their faith, and deepens their life together in love.
Ø We will explore the depths of scripture, learn to listen to God through it and allow our lives to be shaped by the word.
Ø We will experience new dimensions of prayer, try fresh ways of opening to God, and learn what it means to practice the presence of God.
Ø We will reflect on Christ’s call in your life and discover anew the gifts that God gives us for living our personal ministry.
Companions of Christ covers a period of twenty-six weeks divided into five parts or units, as well as introductory or preparatory meeting.
1. Embracing the Journey: the Way of Christ (five weeks)—a basic exploration of spiritual formation as a journey toward a new spiritual awareness and wholeness, individually and in community.
2. Feeding on the Word: the Mind of Christ (five weeks)—an introduction to several ways of meditating on and praying with scripture.
3. Deepening Our Prayer: the Heart of Christ (six weeks)—a guided experience of various forms and styles of prayer.
4. Responding to Our Call: the Work of Christ (five weeks)—a presentation of vocation or call giving ourselves to God in radical obedience and receiving the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
5. Exploring Spiritual Guidance: the Spirit of Christ (five weeks)—an overview of different ways of receiving and offering spiritual guidance, from one-on-one relationships to spiritual growth groups to guidance in congregational life as a whole.
Companions in Christ is designed with time breaks between parts for people who want to take the entire 28 weeks or those who might want to take selected parts. Scroll to the top of this article for the dates when Units Four and Five will begin in the Fall of 2008.