Mission statement

The SJW Adult Formation Team works provide programming that fosters holistic adult faith formation by integrating relationships, life experiences, and Christian discipleship to cultivate meaningful connections, enriched spiritual engagement, and practical life understanding. 

Adult Formation at SJW

• is for any adult at any point in their faith journey, within the congregation and from the larger community.

• happens in CONNECT groups, book studies, Bible study, 2nd Sunday speakers, workshops, retreats and more!

• takes place at SJW, virtually, and in CONNECT groups that may meet in homes or wherever it makes sense.

• is offered on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and more – check our calendar here!

• connects us deeply with each other, supports spiritual practices of Christian discipleship, and helps us become better disciples in community.

Adult spiritual formation shapes Christian adults through immersive community experiences that include prayer, study, and service, recognizing that both formal and informal interactions contribute to our growth. This involves creating opportunities for individuals to share their lives and faith, deepen their understanding of Scripture within the Anglican tradition, gain practical insights on everyday topics, and engage in ministry while reflecting on its personal significance.

How can I get involved? 

Sign up or just show up! Please see the calendar and weekly news for updates. Reach out to Kate Maxwell or Emily Brunner with any questions. 

Lent 2026

Sunday 3/1 – Creed & filioque (Chris) 11:15

“The Nicene Creed, the Filioque, and Our Ecumenical Future”

Led by our Ministry Intern, Chris Lilley

Join us on Sunday, March 1, for an engaging Adult Education session exploring the Nicene Creed and the much‑discussed phrase “and the Son” — the filioque.

We’ll look at why the Nicene Creed has held such a central place in Christian worship for more than 1,600 years, why we recite it in our liturgy, and how it shapes our shared faith. From there, we’ll turn to the history of the filioque: how it entered the creed in the Latin West, why it was never adopted in the Eastern Church, and why this small phrase has carried such significant theological weight.

As the Episcopal Church continues to deepen its ecumenical relationships with Eastern Orthodox communities, many Anglicans are discerning whether to omit the filioque in our liturgical recitation. This session will provide context, clarity, and space for thoughtful discussion of what such a change would mean.

All are welcome, whether you’re curious about church history, passionate about ecumenism, or simply want to understand the creed we say each week more deeply.

Sundays 3/1 and 3/15:  9:00  An Indigenous view of the Christian faith (Brad) 

Wilderness Wednesdays adult programming:

 2.25, 3.4, 3.11, 3.25

Visio Divina: Wilderness Wednesdays During Lent

Have you ever noticed how art can open a doorway into prayer? On select Wilderness Wednesdays during Lent at 6:15 pm, St. John in the Wilderness will gather for Visio Divina, a contemplative practice that invites us to encounter God through sacred images. Just as Lectio Divina invites us to listen deeply to scripture, Visio Divina encourages us to slow down, pay attention, and let God speak through visual art.

This season, we will spend time with artwork connected to the Stations of the Cross, with sessions led by our resident Intern, Chris Lilley. One example of the kind of piece we may reflect on is Jesus is Condemned to Death by Aboriginal artist John Dunn. The surrounding hands in the image invite viewers to consider human participation in systems of harm, while the presence of animals gestures toward the universal scope of Christ’s redemptive love. Visio Divina invites us to enter these images with openness, to notice what draws our attention, to wonder where we find ourselves in the scene, and to listen for how God might be speaking through what we see.

If this way of praying resonates with you, or if you’re longing for a quiet space to center yourself and reconnect with God, we hope you’ll join us for these Lenten gatherings. 

For questions, please contact Chris Lilley (chris@stjohnwilderness.org)

Sermon on the Mount

Let’s take a look together at Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount -the nearest thing to a manifesto that Jesus ever uttered;… It’s not just about what we do … but who we are to become. We’ll use the LifeGuide booklet Sermon on the Mount by John Stott, Anglican pastor and theologian.

Sunday mornings in the Emmaus Room 8:45 a.m.- 9:45 a.m. Leaders: Kathy Smith and Sylvia Lovett