Adult Faith Formation

‍In our baptismal covenant, we are called to “proclaim by word and example the Good news of God in Christ, to “seek and serve Christ in all persons,” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people.” To answer this call, it is important to be deliberate about exploring our faith and utilizing the wisdom and resources that feed our souls. All Christians benefit from life–long faith formation. Much of that comes in the form of regular church attendance, through the Bible readings and sermons we hear, the prayer we offer, and the Holy Eucharist we share. But there is much, much more to be grasped in deepening our understandings of the Way of Jesus and the great arc of Christianity. Adult Faith Formation programs form an integral part of the life–long learning that makes up our journey of faith.

Our approach is one of mutual inquiry and appreciation for the views and understandings of each of our attendees. Through interaction with the prepared materials, we hope to answer questions, spark deeper questions, extend knowledge, and delight in the numerous ways that faithful people engage their faith. In so doing, we hope to become better at our baptismal covenant and to deepen our friendships with each other.

In so doing, we will work to deepen our commitment to our baptismal covenant and to deepen our relationships with each other in creating the beloved community.

Contact Linda Maxson | 206.300.1636

The Bridge at St. Barnabas is a time between Sunday morning worship services when our church community gathers to connect, learn, and grow together. It’s more than a breather between services—it’s a time set apart for encouragement, education, and faith formation. Bridges connect and support, and over coffee and conversation, The Bridge at St. Barnabas gives attendees from both services the opportunity to connect and support one another in our spiritual journeys. In The Bridge, we find community that nurtures our hearts, minds, and spirits, reminding us that the road is easier when we walk it together. The Bridge is held from 9:30–10:15 a.m. on Sunday between services, with details shared in our weekly newsletter.

‍Centering Prayer & Contemplative Ministries

“Centering Prayer is a receptive method of Christian silent prayer which deepens our relationship with God, the Indwelling Presence… a prayer in which we can experience God’s presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself.” —Thomas Keating

St. Barnabas hosts a Centering Prayer gathering every Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Our time together features an opening body prayer, a chant, twenty minutes of silence for Centering Prayer or other meditation, a reading (currently reading the Gospel of Thomas) followed by an opportunity for reflections and comments.

All are most welcome, even if you have no experience with Centering Prayer or Meditation. Come, sit in the envelope of silence and absorb the Presence. Your presence is your gift.

Contact Rev. Patricia Robertson

The Gowen Library at St. Barnabas provides the parish and community access to adult and children’s religious and spiritual literature. Our librarians have recently undertaken the monumental task of reshaping how we use the library (via an online service called Library Thing) by moving the library catalogue online where parishioners can search our books, place a hold on a specific book or books, or check out books—pick up and return is still done in the physical library. Meetings are held in the library occasionally so check the St. Barnabas calendar to be sure it’s open when you want to visit.

To get your digital “library card,” email library@stbbi.org or mjoroth@gmail.com and you will receive a reply with your personal passcode and instructions on getting into the Gowen Library online. Watch for open houses in the library soon where you can sign up in person and get any questions you have answered. The library is currently open to peruse during office hours, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Sunday mornings.

Contact Yvonne Rolston or Melanie Roth

During Lent, the rector offers a six–week formation program on Wednesday evenings. Volunteers provide a simple soup supper followed by the program with lots of time for “table talk,” sharing and exploration of our faith.

Sacred Ground, a program of racial healing and reconciliation, has been a transformational experience for the nearly eighty adults in our congregation who have gone through the yearlong course of study. The first offering was in 2021. Sixty people signed up and attended initially through Zoom because of the pandemic. As they neared the end of the year, many chose to attend in person. The program was again offered in 2025 and around twenty more embarked on the year long journey of discovery through books, essays, editorials and documentaries, ingesting the perspectives and experiences, both historical and current, exposing those engaged to untaught history and the painful realities still with us.

ZimZum Discipleship, a fun group curriculum developed by our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Philip LaBelle, is designed to help us learn the rhythm of growing deeper into life with God. While the topics grow organically, people are invited to join at any time for the monthly, in person gathering. This is a new offering which has anywhere from four to eight people currently attending.