Growth in Faith through Theological INQUIRY
One of the values that we hold dear at Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes is that of “loving the Lord our God with all our mind.” (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27). As Saint Thomas Aquinas (+1274) tells us, “Wonder is the desire for knowledge”.
Rooted in the sacred awe that we experience together, we are committed as a community to the pursuit of theological truth. This takes different forms, from more academic lectures to conversational Bible studies to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for our children. We invite you to come grow with us.
Rooted in the sacred awe that we experience together, we are committed as a community to the pursuit of theological truth. This takes different forms, from more academic lectures to conversational Bible studies to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for our children. We invite you to come grow with us.
If you would like to watch or listen to previous formation sessions, please visit our archive, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.
2026 formation schedule
More events will be added, so be sure to check back throughout the year!
Sunday, February 15
(during Coffee Hour)
Exploring the Sacrament of Reconciliation, part 2:
What “Making One’s Confession” Is Actually Like
The Rev. Martin Smith
A role-play to demonstrate what making one’s confession in the Episcopal pastoral tradition is really like. Intended to dispel off-putting misconceptions (perhaps picked up from movies!), there will be opportunity to ask questions about approaching one’s first confession.
The Rev. Martin Smith is well known throughout the Episcopal Church and beyond for his ministry of spiritual formation in retreats, workshops and spiritual direction. He is the author of widely read books on contemporary spirituality, and he has made a significant contribution to the revival of the sacrament of reconciliation through two of his books: Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in the Episcopal Church and (co-authored with the Rev Julia Gatta) Go in Peace: the Art of Hearing Confessions. He is a priest in our diocese of Washington.
Sunday, March 8
(during Coffee Hour)
How Are Christians to Understand Death and Dying?
Curtis Moneymaker, seminarian
Sunday, May 3
(during Coffee Hour)
Is the Church Truly Different From Any Other Club or Organization?
The Rev. Francis Wade
Rev. Dr. Francis H. Wade (graduate The Citadel, M. Div. Virginia Theological Seminary) was ordained in 1966 and served as Rector of St. Alban’s Church and Interim Dean of Washington National Cathedral. His sermons and meditations have been widely published, and he is author of The Art of Being Together: Common Sense about Lifelong Relationships and recently Biblical Fracking: Midrash for the Modern Christian. He is also an adjunct professor at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Sunday, August 2
(during Coffee Hour)
What Is It to Be Present?
The Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell
Sunday, September 20
(during Coffee Hour)
Why We Do What We Do in Church
The Rev. Dominique Peridans
Sunday, October 25
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
Sunday, November 15
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
Prof. John Orens
Sunday, December 13
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
The Rev. Francis Wade
Sunday, February 15
(during Coffee Hour)
Exploring the Sacrament of Reconciliation, part 2:
What “Making One’s Confession” Is Actually Like
The Rev. Martin Smith
A role-play to demonstrate what making one’s confession in the Episcopal pastoral tradition is really like. Intended to dispel off-putting misconceptions (perhaps picked up from movies!), there will be opportunity to ask questions about approaching one’s first confession.
The Rev. Martin Smith is well known throughout the Episcopal Church and beyond for his ministry of spiritual formation in retreats, workshops and spiritual direction. He is the author of widely read books on contemporary spirituality, and he has made a significant contribution to the revival of the sacrament of reconciliation through two of his books: Reconciliation: Preparing for Confession in the Episcopal Church and (co-authored with the Rev Julia Gatta) Go in Peace: the Art of Hearing Confessions. He is a priest in our diocese of Washington.
Sunday, March 8
(during Coffee Hour)
How Are Christians to Understand Death and Dying?
Curtis Moneymaker, seminarian
Sunday, May 3
(during Coffee Hour)
Is the Church Truly Different From Any Other Club or Organization?
The Rev. Francis Wade
Rev. Dr. Francis H. Wade (graduate The Citadel, M. Div. Virginia Theological Seminary) was ordained in 1966 and served as Rector of St. Alban’s Church and Interim Dean of Washington National Cathedral. His sermons and meditations have been widely published, and he is author of The Art of Being Together: Common Sense about Lifelong Relationships and recently Biblical Fracking: Midrash for the Modern Christian. He is also an adjunct professor at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Sunday, August 2
(during Coffee Hour)
What Is It to Be Present?
The Rev. Canon Gina Gilland Campbell
Sunday, September 20
(during Coffee Hour)
Why We Do What We Do in Church
The Rev. Dominique Peridans
Sunday, October 25
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
Sunday, November 15
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
Prof. John Orens
Sunday, December 13
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
The Rev. Francis Wade
2027 Formation Schedule
More events will be added, so be sure to check back throughout the year!
Sunday, January 10
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
The Rev. Katherine Sonderegger
Sunday, February 14
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope
Sunday, March 14
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
Curtis Moneymaker, seminarian
Sunday, April 11
(during Coffee Hour)
Turning Points in Prayer Book History
The Rev. Matthew Olver
Sunday, May 9
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
The Rev. James Farwell
Sunday, June 13
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
Sunday, January 10
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
The Rev. Katherine Sonderegger
Sunday, February 14
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
The Rev. Canon Jan Naylor Cope
Sunday, March 14
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
Curtis Moneymaker, seminarian
Sunday, April 11
(during Coffee Hour)
Turning Points in Prayer Book History
The Rev. Matthew Olver
Sunday, May 9
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced
The Rev. James Farwell
Sunday, June 13
(during Coffee Hour)
Details to be announced