Exploring Faith
Christian formation is the lifelong process of growing in relationship with God, self, others, and all creation. In this process, we are transformed into the people God wants us to be.
Formation is foundational to everything we believe and do. Education is part of formation, but it is not the only part. Stewardship, outreach, hospitality, and liturgy are all part of our formation as Christians.
Calvary invites all ages to join us as we experience God’s love and are transformed to live into our baptismal promises.
Adult Formation
Newcomer / Inquirer’s Class and Confirmation
- Contact Rev. Ann Dieterle for info
Calvary offers an inquirer’s class for those seeking to know more about the Episcopal Church. Adults and youth 16 years of age and over will be eligible to be confirmed or received after completing this class.
Sunday Forums
- Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. in the Parish Hall
Join our clergy and other ministry leaders for classes, presentations, and fellowship opportunities. Please check our event calendar for upcoming programs.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
- Tuesdays at 9 a.m. in Room 101
Everyone is invited to join this spirited group as we bring Bible stories to life. Rev. Josh leads the group using “Living Stories,” a program that presents classic Bible stories as plays. Coffee and refreshments are provided.
Seekers Book Club
- Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. in Room 101 (every two weeks)
The Seekers Book Club reads and discusses a wide variety of non-fiction books. Topics include theology, current events and history. The group meets every two weeks for about an hour. It is open to everyone.
Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCM)
ELCM is a campus ministry rooted in the Episcopal and ELCA Lutheran traditions and supported by both Calvary Episcopal Church and St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church.
Please visit our campus ministry page for details.
Episcopal Lutheran Fellowship for Youth (ELFY)
Calvary and St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church partner to lead a fellowship youth group for middle and high school students. ELFY meets twice a month to study scripture and talk about our faith. We also host social and service activities. Please contact Rev. Ann for details.
Worship Resources
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. The first English Prayer Book was published in 1549.
We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, or common prayer. The prayer book, most recently revised in 1979, contains our liturgies, our prayers, our theological documents, and much, much more.
1982 Hymnal
The Hymnal is a collection of hymns, tunes, and service music authorized for use in The Episcopal Church by General Convention. Approved supplements include:
- Wonder, Love, And Praise – An eclectic collection of two hundred hymns, songs, and spiritual songs with a selection of service music and devotional pieces. Published in 1997.
- Come Celebrate! – This volume consists of “Service Music,” and “Songs and Hymns.” It represents the results of the life of worship of the Community of Celebration. Its contents are eclectic: international, intergenerational, and sacramental. Designed in 1982; published in 1990.
- Life Every Voice and Sing: An African American Hymnal – Contains 234 hymns and songs, and 36 selections of service music for the Holy Eucharist. The music is drawn from Negro spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel songs, adapted Protestant hymns, missionary and evangelistic hymns, and service music and Mass settings in both traditional and gospel styles. Published in 1993.
- We Sing of God: A Hymnal for Children – This hymnal consists of 108 hymns or selections of service music from the Hymnal 1982 which were chosen with children’s understanding of texts and their vocal abilities in mind. A teacher’s guide is also included. Published in 1989.
Existing Liturgies in The Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music created a website to list links available for liturgical resources authorized by The Episcopal Church, including non-English versions when they have been published digitally. Resources include:
- The Book of Common Prayer
- Trial Use Liturgies (including Marriage Rites, Expansive Language Eucharist)
- Alternative Liturgies (including Good Friday Alternative Liturgy, The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage)
- Enriching Our Worship (all volumes)
- The Book of Occasional Services
- Alternate Psalters
- Calendar and Lectionary Resources
- Supplementary Materials to Address Systemic Racial Injustice
- Daily Prayer for All Seasons
- Rites for the Care of Animals
- Changes: Prayers and Services Honoring Rites of Passage
Forward Movement
Forward Movement is a non-profit ministry that provides free daily prayers, devotions, readings, and meditations.
Grow Christians
Grow Christians is a group blog with reflections, stories, images, and recipes that “inspires generations to come together as they celebrate the presence of God through the Christian year.”
Safe Church, Safe Communities
Calvary and the Diocese of Missouri are committed to keeping all people safe in our churches and community spaces through the Safe Church, Safe Communities program.
The guiding principle of Safe Church is to protect the vulnerable and offer the opportunity for us, as Episcopalians, to be good neighbors to one another. The new and updated program, Safe Church, Safe Communities, was launched in the summer of 2021.
Safe Church, Safe Communities provides new and updated training modules for clergy, laity, and parish staff. These resources give dioceses and parishes across the church the tools necessary to ensure that the most vulnerable among us find an Episcopal Church community of faith that is welcoming and safe.
We invite you to learn more about our Safe Church, Safe Communities program by reading the following policies. Download the diocesan documents:
