Spring 2025 Pathfinders

This nine-session course is for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the Episcopal Church and the Christian faith, with an open and inclusive lens. Led by St. Bart’s clergy, each session will explore topics such as the Bible, prayer, church history, the liturgical calendar, and the sacraments. At the conclusion of the course, participants are invited to be formally Confirmed or Received into the wider Episcopal Church by the Bishop of New York on June 1.

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Course Map

The course map provides an overview and syllabus for the class, including key dates and topics

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The course map provides an overview and syllabus for the class, including key dates and topics

Submit a Question

Session 1 (Intro)

• Class Recording (Click)
• Slides (Click)
• Reading (Click): Introduction through Chapter Eight of Walk in Love
• Discussion Prompt: Describe your religious background (if any). You may wish to talk about its values, its gifts, and its challenges. What do you hope to always carry with you? What do you want to leave behind? What questions are you exploring? Respond on your computer browser or in the mobile app.
• Supplemental Resources
  • Short video introduction to the Episcopal Church
  • Short animated video about the Book of Common Prayer
  • Oremus Bible Browser — New Revised Standard Version
  • Bible Gateway — Many different versions and languages of the Bible
  • The Book of Common Prayer Online
  • St. Bart's App — Includes resources for prayer and Bible Study
  • Jon Meacham Talk on the Episcopal Church — a compelling presentation on the Episcopal Church's gifts and relevance for the present day

Session 2 (Liturgical Calendar)

• Zoom Recording (Peter)
• Session 2 In-Person Slides (Peter)
• Reading for Next Session (Click) — Chapters 9 through 12 of Walk in Love
• Discussion Prompt: What are your favorite parts of worship? How do you best connect with God? When do you find it difficult to connect with God in church? Respond on your computer browser or in the mobile app.
• Supplemental Resources
  • The Forum at St. Barts — Lent Introduction Video
  • The Forum at St. Barts — Epiphany Introduction Video
  • The Forum at St. Barts — Lectionary Presentation Video

Session 3 (Sacraments)

• Zoom Recording (Meredith)
• Session 3 In-Person Slides (Meredith)
• Reading for Next Session (Click) — Chapters 13 through 16 of Walk in Love
• Discussion Prompt: What is your favorite season of the church year? Do you have any special traditions (sacred or secular) associated with them? Respond on your computer browser or in the mobile app.
• Supplemental Resources
  • How2Charist - Video explaining why we do what we do in worship
  • Celebrating Baptism - Video about the meaning behind baptism (geared towards children but relevant to all).

Session 4 (Bible)

• Zoom Recording
• Slides
• Reading for Next Session (Click) — Chapters 13 through 16 of Walk in Love
• Discussion Prompt: Do you have a favorite character from the Bible, and why is that person your favorite?  Respond on your computer browser or in the mobile app.
• Supplemental Resources
  • Bible Gateway — Read the Bible Online
  • Lectionary Page — Episcopal Calendar of Bible Readings
  • St. Bart's Weekly Bible Study (Wednesdays at 1 pm on Zoom)
  • The Path — Bible Reading Plan from Forward Movement
  • The Bible Challenge — One Year Bible Reading Plan from Forward Movement
  • The Bible Project — Scholarly, animated educational videos on many aspects of the Bible
  • The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel — Devotional podcast and written reflections by Church of England priest Nicky Gumbel, for anyone looking to dive into scripture on their own.
  • Same Old Song — Weekly Lectionary Podcast by Episcopal priests Jacob Smith and Aaron Zimmerman
  • St. Bart's App — For a variety of podcasts and resources, navigate to LENT >>> SCRIPTURE
• Recommended Study Bibles
  • Harper Collins Study Bible (New Revised Standard Version) — Episcopal standard for clergy and seminarians
  • New Oxford Annotated Study Bible (NRSV) — Episcopal standard for clergy and seminarians
  • The Jewish Annotated New Testament (NRSV)— Insight on the Christian scriptures from the Jewish scholarly perspective
  • Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (NIV) — Great resource for understanding first century cultural contexts. An NRSV version exists, but is unfortunately out of print and very expensive.
• Books about the Bible
  • Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans
  • What Is the Bible?: How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything by Rob Bell

Session 5 (Theological Foundations)

• Zoom Recording
• Slides
• Reading for Next Session (Click) — Chapters 17 through 20 of Walk in Love
• Discussion Prompt: Take a look at this overview of Atonement Theories. In the Episcopal Church you can find strands of each of them. Which one resonates most with you? Which is your least favorite? Respond on your computer browser or in the mobile app.
• Supplemental Resources
  • Nadia Bolz-Weber Video — "The Narcissist's Footnote"
  • Bible Project Video — "Eternal Life"
  • Atonement Handout
• Podcast
  • And Also With You, A podcast on reclaiming an ancient Christian faith for modern Christian life, with the Reverend Lizzie McManus-Dail and the Reverend Laura Di Panfilo
• Theology Books of Interest
  • Being Christian by Rowan Williams
  • Surprised by Hope, by N.T. Wright
  • Resurrecting Easter, by John Dominic and Sarah Crossan
  • Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, by Marcus Borg
  • God Didn't Make us to Hate Us, by Lizzie McManus-Dail
  • Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved, by Kate Bowler

Session 6 (Prayer)

• Zoom Recording
• Slides
• Reading for Next Session (Click) — Chapters 17 through 20 of Walk in Love
• Discussion Prompt: Do you have a favorite prayer or type of prayer? What kind of prayer best helps you connect with God? Respond on your computer browser or in the mobile app.
• Supplemental Resources
  • St. Bart's App — Select "Tools" to view prayer resources
  • Daily Prayer Podcasts
  • Examen with Fr. Jim Martin Podcast
  • Monday - Friday Morning Prayer Zoom at 8 am with Bishop Matt Heyd
  • Monday - Friday Night Prayer Zoom at 8:30 pm with St. Bart's
  • Centering Prayer
  • Living Christ Sangha

Session 7 (The Church)

• Zoom Recording
• Slides
• Reading for Next Session (Click) — Chapters 21 through 23 of Walk in Love
• Discussion Prompt: What does it mean to you that every member of the Body of Christ is called to be a minister of the church? What gifts for ministry have you been given? Respond on your computer browser or in the mobile app.
• Supplemental Resources
  • Education for Ministry and other classes at St. Bart's 

Session 8 (Christian Witness and Social Teachings) 

• Zoom Recording
• Slides
• Supplemental Resources
  • Acts of General Convention
  • Episcopal Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Public Policy Network
  • Video: Voices of Witness "Out of the Box" — Trans Episcopalians
  • Video: Doctrine of Discovery
  • Sacred Ground Curriculum (Racial Healing)
  • Episcopal Peace Fellowship
  • Bishops Against Gun Violence
  • Apology for Slavery Service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine