Spiritual Formation

Everything that we do, as members of St. Paul’s community, is a part of our spiritual formation. We desire to be formed into the likeness of Christ, and into a community of persons who live and worship together as Jesus taught his disciples to do. We seek to be known by our sincere worship of God and by our genuine love for others.   All adult education classes, ministry groups, and forums are held in the Christian Education room after the 10:30 Mass unless otherwise noted.

Spiritual Formation Ministry includes:
Beginnings: “Beginnings” is an invitational program of hospitality and basic spiritual formation for newcomers to intentional Christian living. This program may be suitable for seekers, persons considering becoming disciples of Jesus, and newcomers to our community. “Beginnings” includes suppers hosted by our community, evocative videos, and small group conversations about the deep questions of our lives.

Catechumenate: In the late Winter and early Spring of each year, leading up to Easter, we offer the Catechumenate. This program is offered to those who are preparing for Holy Baptism, for Confirmation, and for formal Reception into the Episcopal Church. These rites take place at the Great Vigil of Easter, the ancient Christian service which takes place during the night before Easter Sunday, when one of our bishops administers the Sacraments. The Catechumenate includes evocative videos, small group discussion, and personal conversations with the clergy as the participants prepare to solemnly receive these Sacraments and to assume full membership in our community.

Daughters of the King: The "Little Flower Chapter" of the Daughters of the King meets on the fourth Sunday of each month after the 10:30 Mass. The Order of the Daughters of the King, Inc. was founded in the Episcopal Church in 1885 as an Order for lay women who are communicants of the Episcopal, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran (ELCA) churches or in churches within the Historic Episcopate. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, their current 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 chapter at St. Paul's Parish is named after St. Therese of Lisieux (known as the Little Flower), a Carmelite mystic who was devoted to contemplative prayer and had a great love for Christ in the Eucharist. The Daughters currently are engaged in a prayer ministry and as Eucharistic Visitors.

Parish Retreat: St. Paul’s community offers its members a spiritual retreat at Mt. Calvary Monastery and Retreat House in Santa Barbara.

Small Group Spiritual Formation: Our community offers small groups during the year that focus on Bible Study, Christian meditation, and spiritual disciplines.

Society of Mary: The "Our Lady of San Damiano" Ward of the Society of Mary meets on the first Sunday of each month after the 10:30 Mass. The Society of Mary was founded as an Anglican Soceity and is dedicated to the Glory of God, and in honor of the Holy Incarnation, under the invocation of Our Lady, Help of Christians. Their objectives are to love and honor Mary, to spread devotion to her in reparation for past neglect and misunderstanding, and in the cause of Christian Unity, and to take Mary as a model for life. The Society is active at St. Paul's parish in prayer ministry and in community service to help with the educational needs of under-privileged children. They also erected and help to maintain the parish and neighborhood outdoor grotto of Mary of Nazareth, Prophet of Peace.