Formation
The Beloved Community is partnering with our sending parish, The Church of the Nativity (Raleigh) to offer various opportunities for formation. Below are some helpful links to resources about the Episcopal Church, Inclusion, and Faith. If you would like to register for any of our upcoming formation opportunities or would like more information, please contact us.
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It is our belief that no one should miss a formation opportunity due to a lack of resources. If you need assistance purchasing a book for any of our book studies, please let us know. If you would like to donate to help provide for those who may need assistance, you may do so through our financial donations page.
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You can find information about our previously held formation opportunities here.
Upcoming Formation Opportunities at The Beloved Community
The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self Discovery
Zoom Book Study
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30PM
April 2 - April 30
Led Chris Reed
Discerning your true self is inextricably related to discerning God's purposes for you. Paradoxically, the more you become like Christ, the more you become authentically yourself.In this profound exploration of Christian identity, psychologist and spiritual director David G. Benner illuminates the spirituality of self-discovery.
From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ
Zoom Book Study
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30PM
May 7 - May 28
Led by Rev. Phillip Bass
"From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ" is a book by Patrick S. Cheng that explores the concepts of sin and grace within a Christian framework, specifically focusing on how these ideas can be reinterpreted to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals, arguing that traditional interpretations often lead to condemnation and exclusion, and proposing a "Queer Christ" model that emphasizes liberation and acceptance through God's grace; the book critiques the traditional "crime-based" model of sin and presents an alternative Christ-centered model based on the concept of "theosis" (deification) where sin and grace are understood through what God has done for humanity through Jesus Christ.
Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion
Zoom Book Study
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30PM
June 4 - June 25
Led by Rev. Phillip Bass
"Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion" by Sara Miles is a memoir detailing her unexpected conversion to Christianity, where she, a previously atheist, left-wing journalist, found profound spiritual transformation after partaking in communion at a church, leading her to dedicate her life to feeding the hungry through a food pantry, deeply intertwining her faith with tangible acts of service and social justice.
Accidental Saints: Finding God in All The Wrong People
Zoom Book Study
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30PM
July 2 - July 30
Led by Rev. Phillip Bass
Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People by Nadia Bolz-Weber is a book about an unconventional pastor's life and her encounters with God. The book is a collection of stories from the pastor's life and the lives of her congregants.
The Universal Christ
Zoom Book Study
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30PM
August 6 - August 27
Led by Rev. Phillip Bass
The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr is a book that explores the idea that God is present in everything, and that Christ is a name for the divine love that is expressed in all things. The book invites readers to consider how God's love is revealed in the world around them, and how they can recognize God's presence in others.
Transforming: The Bible & the Lives of Transgender Christians
Zoom Book Study
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30PM
September 3 - September 24
Led by Rev. Phillip Bass
“Weaving biblical examples of gender nonconformity and transformation with the stories and voices of contemporary trans Christians, Hartke's approach is both pastoral and prophetic as he addresses harmful Christian theology that has been used to further marginalize and exclude trans people.
In the Margins: A Transgender Man's Journey with Scripture
Zoom Book Study
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30PM
October 1 - October 29
Led by Rev. Phillip Bass
“Weaving biblical examples of gender nonconformity and transformation with the stories and voices of contemporary trans Christians, Hartke's approach is both pastoral and prophetic as he addresses harmful Christian theology that has been used to further marginalize and exclude trans people.
An Altar in the World
Zoom Book Study
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30PM
November 5 - November 19
Led by Rev. Phillip Bass
"An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor is a book that encourages readers to discover the sacred in everyday life, arguing that even the most ordinary acts and experiences can be considered "altars" where we can encounter the divine; it encourages paying attention to the details of our daily lives and finding spiritual meaning in simple actions like walking, working, or interacting with others, essentially showing how to find God beyond the walls of a church by embracing the sacred in the natural world around us.
