January 16, 2024

Instructed Eucharist

  This Sunday, January 19, we’ll be having an instructed Eucharist at both the 8:00 and 10:30 services. We’ll take some time to talk about how we make Eucharist, including both the words we say and the actions and gestures that often accompany them. Most of the questions that I have heard, though, are of a much more theological bent, and so we’ll take more time to consider deeply exactly what we are doing and becoming part of when gather for Communion and what it means for us.

  While the services will not include a sermon, they will be longer than usual, so plan ahead. Bring a cushion if you need one and feel free to get up and move around during the service. Most importantly, bring your curiosity, your questions, and your Episco-curious friends.

An Introduction to the Enneagram as a Spiritual Tool is a free class led by Christine Marie and Dan Martin. The Rector is a 9, and if you would like to know what that means sign-up to join us on Saturday, January 25th from 1:30-4:30.

“One of the great strengths of the Enneagram is that it steps aside from all doctrinal differences. It has helped individuals from virtually every major religious faith to discover their fundamental unity as spiritual beings.”
–The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth by Don Riso and Russ Hudson

Although you are welcome to attend the class without knowing your Enneagram type, you might find it more interesting if you have some idea of what your type might be. To this end, we invite you to take a test before the class. For most of us, the process of determining our type is ongoing. Tests can be an important starting point. However, they are not 100 percent accurate. There are a number of free tests on the internet, but many of them are poorly designed and sometimes misleading.

In our programs, we follow Don Riso and Russ Hudson’s Enneagram work, especially the book quoted above. In addition, their website, the Enneagram Institute at enneagraminstitute.com is a great resource. On the home page are several links. “Enneagram Types—About the 9 Types” has well-written descriptions each of the types and general information about the Enneagram. We highly recommend their test, the RHETI, also found on the website. It costs $20, takes about 20 minutes to complete, and generates a detailed report tailored to you, including links to how your type might interact with other types and information about mistyping.

The easiest, free test, the Riso-Hudson QUEST (Quick Enneagram Sorting Test) is found at the beginning of The Wisdom of the Enneagram. It takes about five minutes to complete and is about 70 percent accurate. This can help you identify the top two or three possibilities for your type.

Questions? Please contact the church office to connect with the course leaders.