…one of his disciples said to him, "Lord teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial." Luke 11:1–4Saint Paul's church offers opportunities to grow spiritually both individually and corporately. Our prayer life begins in the Book of Common Prayer, a document over five hundred years old in various forms. Common prayer means prayer in common, or corporately. It also means ordinary in the sense that our prayer lives should be everyday occurences and not just Sundays. The Prayer Book offers The Daily Office which has prayers appropriate to the different times of the day: morning, noontime, evening, and Compline, a service of prayers in the late evening that can be read individually, but read in community becomes a powerful way to bring the day to a peaceful end.
Our parish offers educational opportunities to expand one's knowledge and understanding of scripture, prayer, and service to God and the Church. Various small groups have been formed to assist each other in spiritual growth and affirming that the Christian walk is meant to be in community. Helping, nurturing, serving, teaching, and reaching each other in Agape love is found most readily within these groups.
Cursillo
Cursillo is a help on your spiritual journey. We experience Cursillo primarily in small groups that meet weekly for mutual support in prayer, study and action. We also gather with the wider Cursillo Community in a monthly meeting of friends from many parishes. This meeting, called the Ultreya, features group conversations and a talk by one of our friends on how she or he is trying to take action in the world. We have an announcement time and then share a pot luck meal and have informal sharing.
Occasionally, we have a three-day weekend in which we focus on what is fundamental for being a Christian and learn the Cursillo method. At any rate, this weekend is the springboard to living out the life of small groups and the larger Ultreya gatherings. Please contact Father Tom, Eleanor Blaker or any of the members of the Cursillo community for more information.
Education for Ministry (EFM)
EFM is theological education by extension administered by the Sehool of Theology at the University of the South. It is a four-year program of study that takes students through Old Testament and New Testament studies, church history—of both the larger
church and the Episcopal Church, and an overview of contemporary theologies. EFM groups meeet once a week and are led by a trained mentor, who guides the group in discussing the material, and leading theological reflections which help sutdents look at and understand scripture from different points of view. Although EFM is a four-year program, a particular group may have, at a time, students who have completed one, two or three years of the program. The purpose of EFM is to educate dedicated lay people, so that they may fully live into their Baptsmal Covenant. The EFM program is preparation for the ministry to which we all are called. It is that vocation for which we pray at the end of the Eucharist: "And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord." For more information about EFM talk with Fr. Miles, Deacon Pearce, or Frank Connizzo..
Daughters of the King
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, our vision as Daughters of the King® is to know Jesus Christ, to make Him known to others, and to become reflections of God’s love throughout the world.
The Order of the Daughters of the King® (DOK) is a spiritual sisterhood of women dedicated to a life of Prayer, Service and Evangelism. We have made a commitment to Jesus as our Savior, and we follow Him as Lord of our lives. We are an Order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, churches in communion with it, or churches in the Historic Episcopate.
Saint Paul's Order of the Daughters of the King meets once a month on the third Saturday. For more information about DOK, contact our Parish Administrator, Eleanor Blaker, or any member. Members can be identified by the cross that they commit to wear always.
Sunday School
St. Paul's Sunday school is a family oriented educational experience. The families work together to teach and plan for the children of the parish. The curriculum is lectionary based material. The children, ages 3 through sixth grade, gather at 11:00 a.m. for snacks and disperse into age appropriate classrooms from 11:15 to 12:00. The 11:00 time enables our parish to meet the needs of the 10:00 and the 11:30 services. Our Sunday school year follows the public school vacation schedule from September to May, and also the summer break as well.
SPIN (Saint Paul's Intergenerational Nights) is planned once a month during the summer break. This is Saint Paul's "spin" on vacation Bible school.
Inquirers' Classes
At least once a year we have a class for those who are interested in knowing more about the Episcopal Church and how we go about being faithful Christians. We cover such topics as how we worship, how we read the bible, our history, customs, who ministers, our organization, and even why do we do the things we do. In order to join an Inquirer’s class look for these sessions on our calendar of events and just show up. If you don’t see any classes being scheduled, talk to Father Tom or Deacon Charles. Just before Bishop Wolfe makes his visit to Saint Paul’s we usually have make up sessions for those who would like to be Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church.
Youth Group
Our Youth Group meets with Father Tom most Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. for supper and some activity. All of our young people are urged to participate in Diocese of Kansas Youth events. Every once in a while our youth are pressed into service to help us out in various parish events. But most of all, we have a great time eating and sharing. Watch the bulletins and the Epistle for announcements concerning youth.
Several of our youth participate each year over the Martin Luther King weekend in Miqra, an event held at Grace Cathedral, in Topeka, and involves youth from all over the diocese. Miqra is a Hebrew word for "public reading" and the youth—from middle school through high school—begin reading the Bible at Genesis and read non-stop all the way through taking turns, until they finish with Revelation. Between taking turns reading, they're involved in fun activities and serious discussions about Holy Scripture and our religion.
The Episcopal Church
Diocese of Kansas
The Anglican Communion
Episcopal Cursillo