Adult Formation
What do we mean by “Formation”?
Saint Stephen’s Sunday Formation is an educational opportunity to grow in God’s Love for you, learn more about the Episcopal faith and build relationships in the Saint Stephen’s community.
“Formation” is a commonly used term in the Episcopal Church to reference the different ways we are formed and transformed by the teachings of Jesus and the shared wisdom of God’s people.
We welcome creativity and suggestions for formation and desire to create an environment where you can teach, learn, and grow spiritually in our Sunday morning and weekday offerings.
Sunday Mornings at Saint Stephen’s
We have Sunday Formation offerings for Adults Sundays at 10:15 am. To see our full schedule and when special offerings are held throughout the year, see below.
For more information or to talk with someone about finding the best fit for your interests and gifts, please contact Kathleen Franklin or the Rev. Katherine Harper.
You may also contact the specific leaders listed for each of our small groups.
Sunday Morning Learning Offerings for Adults
Sundays, 10:15-11:00 a.m.
We continue to grow in our faith in Christ across every stage of adulthood. That is why we refer to learning at Saint Stephen’s as formation, rather than information. We strive to cultivate an environment that supports our spiritual growth through all stages of our lives. Adults gather on Sunday mornings in small and large groups to learn about Christianity and share about our faith. We host speakers and have discussions on a range of topics and subjects that will enhance our spiritual life and sense of purpose and community. Below are the Sunday morning offerings.
The Adult Forum
Location: Parish Hall
Welcoming an array of visiting experts and leaning upon the interests and insights of our clergy, we host sessions weekly that are a blend of lecture-style and small group conversations for optimized learning and connection. A link to each week’s forum can be found in our weekly e-newsletter, and past forums are archived on our YouTube channel.
Faith & Life: Parents of Young Children
Location: Room 228
Parenting is hard, and we need our Christian community to encourage us and equip us along the way. Parents of children (birth through 6th grade) are invited to join us in conversations and reflections on how our faith can inform our lives as people and parents. We discuss a variety of topics that help us talk to our kids about God and build stronger bonds with others at Saint Stephen’s.
In Spring 2026, we are offering “Parenting with a Purpose”, a curriculum led by Amy Neiman, a social worker at Collat Jewish Family Services. This ten-week course helps parents learn practical ways to support their children, while gradually reducing unhelpful accommodations that can fuel anxiety or dependence. We explore strategies for building resilience, fostering strong family connections, and navigating expectations at home and beyond. Parents will also reflect on what they bring to the parenting role – their experiences, values, and patterns- and how these shape family dynamics. For more information about this class and other offerings for parents and families, contact Jennifer Jones or the Rev. Katherine Harper.
Our regular Sunday morning classes will be paused for the summer months and resume on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Weekdays at Saint Stephen’s
We offer a variety of weekday classes and gatherings where spiritual and personal growth occur. Some led by clergy and some led by parishioners. These classes are where deep connection and shared experience thrive.
Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study
7:00-8:00 am, Room 228 and Zoom (year-round)
We gather every Tuesday morning to discuss the Scripture lessons for the upcoming Sunday. We discuss a book chosen by the group during the summer months. The class is facilitated by a volunteer from the group each week. All men are encouraged to join us for fellowship, fun, and helping each other on our spiritual journey. Please contact Zac Brown for a Zoom link.
Tuesday Rector’s Reading Group
12:10-1:00 p.m., Zoom (September - May)
Participants meet most Tuesday afternoons during the school year over Zoom to deepen their faith through reading and discussion. To take part, join the Realm group or email the Rev. John Burruss to see the most recent book.
Wednesday Morning Women’s Bible Study
9:30-11:00 a.m, Room 228 and Zoom (September - May)
All women are invited to gather September through mid-May on Wednesday mornings to read and study a book of the Bible, or another tool for spiritual growth. Please contact Zac Brown for the Zoom Link or the Rev. Katherine Harper for more information.
Wednesday Morning Centering Prayer
10:00-11:15 a.m., Terrace Room (year-round)
Centering Prayer is a practice of prayer that is simple, restful, and easy to understand. The length of time recommended is 20 minutes. It is a silent prayer, practiced individually and/or in a group. Following prayer, we discuss a book together. On the first Wednesday of each month, we meet at Kirkwood by the River. On all other Wednesdays, we meet in the Terrace Room at Saint Stephen’s. To learn more, contact Louise Meredith.
Wednesday Evening Young Adult Bible Study
6:30-8:00 p.m., Room 228 (year-round)
Facilitated by various clergy and parishioners within the church.
The Young Adults of Saint Stephen’s are a group of 23- to 35-year -olds who gather on the second Tuesday of the month for Bible Study. The group will discuss Scripture through open-ended discussion. Devout and sceptics alike are welcome to join. Please email Kathleen Franklin for more information about young adult events or to learn more about our bible study.
Thursday Afternoon Bible Study
1:00-2:15 p.m., Zoom (September-May)
Facilitated by the Rev. Katherine Harper
Join us as we wander through ancient writings of the Bible. We have been reading the Revelation to John in Spring 2026. We wrestle with questions of faith, as we pray for one another and listen for how God is calling us today. Contact Zac Brown for the Zoom link.
Thursday Men’s Group
6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Terrace Room (September-May)
Facilitated by the Rev. Malcolm Marler, Michael Moore, and Bill Peeples
Men of all ages are welcome to join us as we explore the deeper dimensions of life and seek connection, growth, and inner strength. If you're looking for a space to deepen your spiritual journey, share experiences, and engage with other men, we invite you to join our Men's Group – “Let’s Talk.” Participants in the Men’s Group will honor each other’s paths, offer support, and create a community for respectful, honest reflection. Come as you are. No judgment. No expectations. Just men spending meaningful time exploring life’s bigger questions, learning from each other’s experiences and growing together. If you're ready to embark on this journey with us, we look forward to seeing you on Thursday evenings!
Please feel free to reach out to Babs Knowles or the Rev. Katherine Harper with any questions and they will refer you to the facilitators.
Paul’s Letters Bible Study
Fridays at 10:00-11:00 a.m., Zoom (year-round)
Facilitated by Verna Orr
Continuing our in-depth study of the Apostle Paul’s letters, each Friday, we will work through these writings together. Members of the group share their verse-by-verse observations, based on reading a variety of translations of the scriptures (e.g., NRSV, ESV, NIV, the Message), as well as commentaries by such scholars as N.T. Wright, Michael Gorman, et al. Contact Zac Brown for the Zoom link.
Groups at Saint Stephen’s
Groups at Saint Stephen’s offer parishioners a chance to build deeply personal and spiritual relationships with one another. These groups lead to a stronger sense of community within our church and offer a sense of belonging to those who seek it.
If there is a group you’d like to start, reach out to Kathleen Franklin.
Women’s Cancer Support Group
Second Tuesday of the Month, Terrace Room
This is a group of women who meet once monthly to support and encourage one another as they each go through different stages of treatment and recovery due to cancer. The group is led by Betty Shivers and meets the second Tuesday of the month. Please reach out to Betty Shivers if you have any questions. The group is a welcoming and supportive collective with a compassion for helping one another through a difficult journey.
Grief Group
Each Wednesday in the Terrace Room
Good Grief is comprised of individuals who have experienced a loss, be it the death of a loved one, a job or a relationship. The group provides individuals who are grieving a community within which they can talk and share their experiences in a safe, confidential space. It is a very casual, caring group who are accepting and welcoming to all. The group meets on Wednesday afternoons, from 3-4:30, in the Terrace room. For more information please contact the Rev. Sally Herring.
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Mondays, 10:00 a.m-12:00 p.m., and Thursdays, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Room 228
Led by Frank Holmes, Cheri Kueven, Paul Morris, EfM Mentors.
Do you have questions about your faith? Most people do, and most find it challenging to get answers. Education for Ministry was developed by the School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee, to provide a mechanism for people to work through those questions. This four-year course of study provides the framework for the group to connect faith to their daily lives through reading and discussion.
Meeting once a week in small groups, led by mentors trained to facilitate the experience, you will begin to think theologically, reflect faithfully, and speak civilly when confronted by beliefs and principles in opposition to your own. And that’s something we can all appreciate in today’s world.
By being an EfM participant, you will learn how to articulate your faith. You will learn how to shape your faith into action. You will become involved in ministries in your community, and you will make a difference.
The terms “education” and “ministry” in Education for Ministry frequently need unpacking to better understand both the content and the purpose of the program. At its heart, EfM is a program in practical theology, a program based in a set of five core practices that form and support us in the various ministries to which we are called: 1) Living in Community; 2) Regular Prayer and Worship; 3) Theological Reflection; 4) Study of the Christian Tradition; and 5) Vocational Discernment.
EfM groups meet regionally in nearly every diocese of The Episcopal Church, in six provinces of the Anglican Communion, and some in virtual classrooms with participants from across the globe.
Enrollment occurs in the spring and summer, and class years begin in September and wrap in May.
Cursillo
Cursillo is a community of faith that is dedicated to exploring the love of God and sharing God's love with each other. Cursillo is an opportunity to grow in faith and in spirituality.
Cursillo in the Diocese of Alabama begins with a three–day weekend at Camp McDowell. During these three days, lay people and clergy share their experiences and perspective on a variety of topics related to the love of God, the Christian life, and Christian community. Through Cursillo we seek a deeper understanding of the teachings of Jesus and how we can serve Him. We work together to share God's love and encourage each other to persevere in carrying out our Baptismal vows. Cursillo starts with a three-day weekend, but the best is yet to come!
Cursillo weekends take place five times each year at Camp McDowell. Weekends are scheduled in February, April, June, September, and October. To learn more or to sign up, contact Christina McGovern.
Braver Faith Initiatives
Braver Angels is a civic organization that develops educational tools to build bridges between people divided over politics. Braver Faith is an arm of this group that equips religious groups with these tools in the context of their own faith traditions. Our opportunity is to see that civil discourse begins in recognizing the image of God in our conversation partner, and that our baptismal promises realign us to honor the dignity of every human being. As a result, mutual respect is crucial in connection. Respect, not agreement, is an essential key for a healthy discussion. And in these offerings, we are reminded that we can be unified in God’s love while also being diverse in the ways we live and move and have our being.
Saint Stephen’s is offering several dates through this year for learning and deepening in our commitment to partner with our Christian family to address hard topics, grounded in God’s love and mutual respect. For more details, click here.
Online Reflections and Morning Prayer
Daily Reflections
Three days a week, Saint Stephen’s clergy write original theological reflections in response to the scripture readings appointed for each day. These reflections are posted here and those interested may subscribe to receive these via email. Links to the scriptures, questions for self-reflection, and a daily challenge are included.
Morning Prayer
Each day at 8:30 a.m., Monday through Friday, we gather together live on Facebook to read scriptures and pray following the Rite II service for Morning Prayer found in our Book of Common Prayer. Led by Saint Stephen’s clergy and parishioners, this prayer service includes space for community members to greet one another and share prayer requests in the comments.