“One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.”
~ Galatians 6:6
Childcare is often provided for adult programs throughout the week. Check with specific programs for more details.
Sunday Offerings
The Rector’s Forum
The Rector’s Forum, restarting on September 18, offers engaging dialogue and interactive teaching on Growing in Grace, the St. David’s 2022-23 theme. This year renowned local professors, theologians, and speakers will join The Rev. W. Frank Allen in biblically rich and theologically engaging dialogues on the life cycle of faith, centered in Colossians 1:10, “so that we may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” All adults, both experienced Christians and newcomers, are welcome.
Lectionary Bible Study
Join for a small group in-depth study and discussion on the passages of the day. No preparation necessary and you do not have to commit for the whole year.
Who Are We? A Lighthearted Look at Episcopal Identity
From September 18 through December 11, 2022, we will take a look at history, theology, and spirituality in a fun and interactive way with games, skits, and discussion. We hope Family Service adults will attend while their children are in Children’s Formation or Child Care, but everyone is welcome to attend when they find the topic intriguing. No RSVP is required.
Previous Adult Forum Handouts
Looking for the handouts from our forums? Find them below.
Sermon on the Mount – Talk Three, March 20, 2022
Sermon on the Mount – Talk Two, March 13, 2022
Sermon on the Mount – Talk One, March 6, 2022
Advent 2021 Nouwen Forums (Nov. 28-Dec. 12).
November 21, 2021
November 14, 2021
November 7, 2021
Previous Adult Forums
You may watch forums over again on our YouTube channel’s Adult Formation playlist, embedded below.
Bible Studies
Come enjoy lively conversation and spiritual growth as we study together. These groups include people familiar with the Bible and those new to Holy Scriptures. All are welcome, including newcomers!
Rector’s Bible Study
On Tuesday mornings, beginning at 6:30 am, our Rector, The Rev. W. Frank Allen, leads a Bible study for faith. We read straight through the books and letters of the Bible with teaching, conversation, answers to questions and applications for growing in our faith and walking the Way of Love with Christ. All are welcome to participate and finish promptly at 7:30 am. Come, join us.
Meeting ID: 501 627 107
Password: frank
Bible for Everyone
Interested in studying the Bible but don’t know where to start? Afraid you don’t know enough? Wondering if the Bible applies to your daily life? This mid-week Bible study, open to all, might be for you! Our focus is learning how to apply God’s word to everyday living. Equally important, we are a community learning how to love and pray for each other. For questions or for more information or to let them know of your interest, contact Vincent Dixon or Jane Cannon.
Women’s Bible Study
All women are invited to join this group to study Scripture together, grow in our relationship with God and one another, and support one another through prayer and community. For Fall 2022 to Spring 2023 the women’s Bible study will be studying the Book of Psalms, the prayer and songbook of the Bible. No Bible study experience needed–just a willingness to open the Scriptures together, reflect, share, and pray with other women who are on the journey to grow in grace and faith. Creative resources such as poetry and music will assist in our devotional study of the Psalms, grounding us in Psalm 1’s promise that “the righteous person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Contact The Rev. Nancy Webb Stroud for more information and to learn about recommended reading, or just show up with a Bible in-person in the Conference Room or on Zoom. Babies and toddlers welcome.
Wednesday Bible Study
The Wednesday Bible Study is an historical-critical approach to biblical texts. The approach is not largely pastoral, rather it is a look at history and culture, as well as sources from similar time periods in order to gain a better understanding.
Those who wish, gather at 12:00 noon for a BYO lunch before beginning the study at 12:30pm. Please contact The Rev. Elizabeth W. Colton for more information.
Men’s Bible Study
The Friday Morning Men’s Fellowship Bible Study provides a small group setting as a catalyst for spiritual growth and fellowship among the men of St. David’s. Our goal is to promote an environment where both lifelong Christians and brand new Christians can ask questions, get answers, make friends and increase in their knowledge and love of Christ.
Lectionary Bible Study
Join for a weekly small group, in-depth study of the texts read in the Sunday worship service: context, original purpose, how we can apply it today in our own lives. No preparation necessary and you do not have to commit for the whole year.
Meeting ID: 947 7780 4874
Small Groups
Come enjoy lively conversation and spiritual growth as we study together. All are welcome, including newcomers!
Growing in Grace:
A Practice
Registration Closed.
Learn more
Introduction to
The Interior Castle
Registration Closed.
Learn more
Spiritual Direction
Ongoing opportunities to sign up for direction as an individual or to join a group.
Learn more
Centering Prayer
We gather to share the silence of Centering Prayer on Monday evenings at 7:00 and Wednesday mornings at 8:15. Centering Prayer is a prayer of silence where our intention is to open to God’s presence and rest in God’s love. All are welcome to join us!
| Join the Monday Session | Join the Wednesday Session |
C.S. Lewis Book Group
C.S. Lewis is one of most well-known and prolific Christian writers of the 20th century. He considered himself a hardcore atheist and ended up “the most reluctant convert in all England.” His writings have impacted generations of Christians as they ponder how to make faith understandable to themselves and others. This group will read some of Lewis’ famous works, including Mere Christianity and discuss their application in the modern era.
Exercise in Faith
“Did you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you…” In Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians, 6:19 he informs us that our bodies are like a house that is a home, an indwelling for the Holy Spirit to live. Everyone has the Holy Spirit living in us; therefore, a sturdy house should be built, a solid body for the Spirit to live in. When physical bodies are healthier, Christ and His larger body, the Church are better served.
Contemplating on this scripture-inspired Endré to start Exercise in Faith twelve years ago. Exercise in Faith is a total body strength training class using trx-straps (body-weight strength training) and bands, while listening to upbeat music. The group starts off with a prayer, an active stretch/warm-up, and then two to three circuits are performed, depending on attendees’ fitness levels. All levels are welcomed. In fact, everyone is encouraged to listen to their bodies and train in their comfort zone. Exercise in Faith is a fun bunch, friendly, and supportive of one another…join this group and strengthen your body, mind, and Spirit.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness Meditation is a path to building awareness of ourselves as well as our communities and the world around us. Our sessions are suitable for all levels of experience with meditation practice, and include a short talk followed by a guided meditation and a period of sharing among those present.
Our sessions include teaching and meditations on such subjects as finding focus through Mindfulness of the Breath and the Body, Mindfulness of Emotions, Gratitude, LovingKindness, Self-Compassion and Compassion for others, and Forgiveness. Our virtual sangha is a safe, supportive, and inclusive community – your presence is welcome as often as you choose to show up. We meet Tuesdays & Fridays at 9am for 30-45 minutes (depending on the time spent in group discussion). Please join us!
| Join on Zoom (Tuesdays) | Join on Zoom (Fridays) |
Friday Password: Metta
Sacred Ground: A Film-Based Dialogue Series on Race & Faith
Contact Information
Overview of the Series
All are invited to participate in Sacred Ground, a film and readings-based dialogue series on race and American history, grounded in faith. This program will be offered by a partnership between St. David’s and St. Peter’s in Great Valley this fall with multiple time/day options.
The 11-part series is geared towards small groups and includes an online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories.
Sacred Ground is part of Becoming Beloved Community, The Episcopal Church’s long-term commitment to racial healing, reconciliation, and justice in our personal lives, our ministries, and our society. This series is open to all. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope, and love.
St. David’s Church and St. Peter’s in the Great Valley are partnering for the second year in a row to offer this program starting in September 2022, joined also by Wayne Presbyterian Church. We envision the small groups will be comprised of members of multiple parishes and will be led by facilitators from the different parishes.
The Program will begin and end with an Opening Service for all participants and then groups (of 8-12 individuals) will meet every two weeks beginning in late September, take a break for Advent/Christmas and finish by the start of Lent (March 26).
Required Reading:
There is a decent amount of reading and those of us who have gone through the curriculum already found it helpful to have the readings on paper rather than the screen. We are able to print and put in binders all of the reading assignments (approximately 120 pages) at cost for $15.
Additional Recommended and Required Books:
Required: Jesus and the Disinherited, by Howard Thurman.
Recommended: Waking Up White, by Debby Irving.
Many of you have already read or own one or both of these books. If you don’t have them, they may be ordered from St. David’s Gift Shop & Art Gallery and shipped to your house. 100% of proceeds from the Gift Shop go to international outreach, so we’d love for you to order the books through that method. Order online: https://stdavidschurch.org/bookshop/
Education for Ministry (EfM)
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study and practice. EfM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service. We currently have two class options available, which run from September-June with a break in the summer.
EfM registration for 2022-23 is now closed!
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