For Adults
St. Margaret’s in Palm Desert values seekers of all ages and backgrounds as beloved members of our Church, and we offer targeted ministries to help you grow in your spiritual journey. We are a learning community, recognizing and supporting adults in all their life stages. We believe that our life transitions can provide transformative moments no matter how old we are and that includes the transitions into retirement and at the end of life. So we invite your engagement in the broad variety of faith formation programs and events we and our diocese provide.
Why ‘Formation’ and Not ‘Education’? Formation is a process like apprenticeship that goes beyond amassing information. Adult formation engages the whole person - intellect, passions, and spirit - in the never-ending journey of our becoming like Jesus Christ.
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EfM)
EfM is a lay theological education program. Through study, prayer, worship and reflection, the seminar group journeys together as they read Scripture, church history and theology. More information.
DEEPENING OUR FAITH
Hear the Spirit, From Home: Wednesdays, On-going, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Online via Zoom
Led by Fr. Dan Rondeau, former Assistant Rector of St. Margaret’s, the Hear the Spirit forum continues on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Tune your heart to the whispers (or shouts) of the Holy Spirit as we open the scriptures to be read in worship the following Sunday. The classroom is “virtual,” accessible from anywhere you happen to be on Wednesday morning. New participants are welcome at any time. Contact Fr. Dan at drondeau910@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
Sunday Reflection: Sundays, On-going, Following 8 a.m. service, Lee Classroom
Grab a cup of coffee and join this self-guided group as they reflect on the morning's readings.
Sunday Forum - Listening & Looking: Sundays, On-going, Following 10 a.m. service, Lee Classroom
Join Fr. John Crean, following the 10 am worship service, for this lively and enlightening discussion each week which includes art commentary by Hovak Najarian.
The Chosen: Thursdays, 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2, 11/16 and 11/30, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Online via Zoom
Angel Studios undertook a major project when they agreed to bring to the screen a more authentic and highly relatable representation of the Life of Christ. No previous effort has more compellingly or engagingly brought to life biblical characters we’ve all heard about in Holy Scripture. Join Meredith every other Thursday afternoon this fall.
Celtic and Franciscan Spirituality: Wednesdays, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Lee Classroom
Spiritualities all have distinct charisms, yet some share certain striking similarities. Such is the case with how Celts viewed worship as well as the followers of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi. Fr. David Burgdorf, having already led a recent session on this topic, will now be joined by Chris Davidson who has just returned from a Celtic pilgrimage. If you’re not familiar with either spirituality, you may find this journey quite engaging.
The Gospel of John: Wednesdays, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 12/27, Evenings, Online via Zoom
Over the four Wednesday evenings in Advent, join Dr. George Lynch to explore the richness of the Fourth Gospel. While the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke share a similar storyline, John’s gospel stands out as both distinctive and compelling.
And many more to come in 2024, including Come, Let Us Worship: The Elements of Worship in the Episcopal Tradition; An Evening with John Dear; Six Lenten Fridays: Lectio Divina and Holy Eucharist; Faith in Motion Sustains Us: Spiritual Traditions; A Weekend with Carter Heywood; and Episco-What?
For more information about any of our Faith Formation options, contact Father John Crean, jcreanjr@att.net
Why ‘Formation’ and Not ‘Education’? Formation is a process like apprenticeship that goes beyond amassing information. Adult formation engages the whole person - intellect, passions, and spirit - in the never-ending journey of our becoming like Jesus Christ.
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EfM)
EfM is a lay theological education program. Through study, prayer, worship and reflection, the seminar group journeys together as they read Scripture, church history and theology. More information.
DEEPENING OUR FAITH
Hear the Spirit, From Home: Wednesdays, On-going, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Online via Zoom
Led by Fr. Dan Rondeau, former Assistant Rector of St. Margaret’s, the Hear the Spirit forum continues on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Tune your heart to the whispers (or shouts) of the Holy Spirit as we open the scriptures to be read in worship the following Sunday. The classroom is “virtual,” accessible from anywhere you happen to be on Wednesday morning. New participants are welcome at any time. Contact Fr. Dan at drondeau910@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
Sunday Reflection: Sundays, On-going, Following 8 a.m. service, Lee Classroom
Grab a cup of coffee and join this self-guided group as they reflect on the morning's readings.
Sunday Forum - Listening & Looking: Sundays, On-going, Following 10 a.m. service, Lee Classroom
Join Fr. John Crean, following the 10 am worship service, for this lively and enlightening discussion each week which includes art commentary by Hovak Najarian.
The Chosen: Thursdays, 9/21, 10/5, 10/19, 11/2, 11/16 and 11/30, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., Online via Zoom
Angel Studios undertook a major project when they agreed to bring to the screen a more authentic and highly relatable representation of the Life of Christ. No previous effort has more compellingly or engagingly brought to life biblical characters we’ve all heard about in Holy Scripture. Join Meredith every other Thursday afternoon this fall.
Celtic and Franciscan Spirituality: Wednesdays, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Lee Classroom
Spiritualities all have distinct charisms, yet some share certain striking similarities. Such is the case with how Celts viewed worship as well as the followers of St Francis and St Clare of Assisi. Fr. David Burgdorf, having already led a recent session on this topic, will now be joined by Chris Davidson who has just returned from a Celtic pilgrimage. If you’re not familiar with either spirituality, you may find this journey quite engaging.
The Gospel of John: Wednesdays, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 12/27, Evenings, Online via Zoom
Over the four Wednesday evenings in Advent, join Dr. George Lynch to explore the richness of the Fourth Gospel. While the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke share a similar storyline, John’s gospel stands out as both distinctive and compelling.
And many more to come in 2024, including Come, Let Us Worship: The Elements of Worship in the Episcopal Tradition; An Evening with John Dear; Six Lenten Fridays: Lectio Divina and Holy Eucharist; Faith in Motion Sustains Us: Spiritual Traditions; A Weekend with Carter Heywood; and Episco-What?
For more information about any of our Faith Formation options, contact Father John Crean, jcreanjr@att.net
For Children
Children's Sunday School (Pre-K and Up)
Children's Sunday School will be offered during the 10 o'clock service on the first Sunday of each month starting in October. Led by various children's ministry volunteers and coordinated by Alexandra McGuane. Stay tuned for more children's formation opportunities as we grow our team of volunteers.
Children's Christmas Pageant
Join us for the family service on Christmas Eve as children from our congregation and the community retell the story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. If you have a child who is interested in participating please contact Alexandra McGuane (alexandra.mcguane@gmail.com).
Children's Sunday School will be offered during the 10 o'clock service on the first Sunday of each month starting in October. Led by various children's ministry volunteers and coordinated by Alexandra McGuane. Stay tuned for more children's formation opportunities as we grow our team of volunteers.
Children's Christmas Pageant
Join us for the family service on Christmas Eve as children from our congregation and the community retell the story of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. If you have a child who is interested in participating please contact Alexandra McGuane (alexandra.mcguane@gmail.com).