Adult Education

Adult Education at St. Stephen’s is a welcoming forum for thoughtful spiritual exploration. Programs are in spring and fall seasons, usually meeting on Sundays at 9:00am in the Upper Meeting Room (with refreshments and fellowship beginning at 8:45). Additional offerings are sometimes scheduled on weekdays or weeknights to accommodate a wider range of interests and availability. All are welcome to attend—parishioners and the broader community alike. For information or program suggestions, please contact Dan Beaupré, An Duclos, Theresa Gleason, or Diane Nancekivell.

When available, Zoom access is provided at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87490029176 with the passcode AdultEd

Praying with St Ignatius: The Examen Prayer

Presented by Jay Parini

Sunday, Feb 15, 9 am, the Meeting Room

Jay Parini will talk about the tradition of meditation developed by St. Ignatius Loyola. The Ignition prayer called the Daily Examine is prayed twice a day by all members of the Jesuit Order. Jay will lead us through this five-step prayer. No homework necessary.

TREE OF LIFE ICON AT ST. GREGORY’S CHURCH, SAN FRANCISCO

LECTIO DIVINA

PRAYING THROUGH SCRIPTURE

WITH THE CREATION CARE MINISTRY

4 FRIDAYS IN LENT: FEB 20 TILL MARCH 13,

2:30 - 4 PM, THE CHAPEL

Lectio Divina is a contemplative practice that encourages stillness, listening, and reflection through scripture. It is a way of prayer, with deep roots in Christian tradition, stretching back at least to the 6th century. The first gathering, Feb 20, will be a learning session, introducing the practice, leading us through it, and establishing group norms. All are welcome!

Vincent van Gogh and the Beauty of Lent

Hosted by Charlie Nichols

A Lenten Devotional series for the 6 Sundays in Lent

Feb 22 through March 29, 9 am, the Meeting Room

IN A WORLD THAT all too often seems beset by chaos, evil, and darkness, it’s important – dare I say, mandatory – to look for instances of beauty. Lent is the season of the church year often marked by repentance and denial. While that has its place, what better time than this year, as we journey to the glory of Easter, to go on a quest for beauty?

Vincent van Gogh devoted his life to light. The light of creation, the light of painting, the light of God’s grace – and the light in humanity, mind, body, and soul. The son of a Christian pastor, Vincent fervently set out to be a preacher and missionary himself, but his ministry eventually took the form of brush strokes and canvases: in just ten years of his short life, from age 27 to 37, he created more than 2000 luminous works of art – including nearly 900 paintings – shimmering with vitality, with passion, and above all, with light.

The word “Lent” refers to the “lengthening” light, the growing days that, in time, will coax the sunflowers to open, the wheat fields to rise again, and the irises to bloom. What better companion on this forty-day pilgrimage, then, than this apostle of light: an artist steeped in Christianity and yet open to learning from Buddhism, enamored with Jesus and at the same time adventurous enough to find God in mysteries, humility, and love, not certainties, arrogance, or privilege.

In this Lenten devotional, the words of Scripture and the paintings and letters of Vincent van Gogh will be our guides. Each week, biblical texts and Van Gogh’s work throw light on each other, pointing toward simple, powerful practices.