Adult Spiritual Formation
At TPC, our spiritual formation program for adults is designed to offer everyone—regardless of where you are on your own spiritual journey—a chance to begin exploring your faith more intentionally.
To help you on this lifelong journey, our spiritual formation opportunities are broken into three groups:
Belong → Become → Bless.
If you are beginning your journey of faith at TPC, a Belong group can be a great way to build friendships and community while exploring an activity. If you are ready to learn about God and how to practice your faith more fully, a Become group could be for you. And if you are ready to serve and bless others with your hands and feet, opportunities await in Bless.
While these is somewhat of a natural progression from Belong to Become to Bless, you might find yourself first drawn to an opportunity in Bless. Fantastic! Start there and begin practicing your faith by serving, but keep in mind Belong and Become. All three are needed to help us on our journey of spiritual formation.
BELONG - You were created to Belong in a community
Our Belong groups are designed to help you develop healthy relationships with others by sharing an activity of common interest. Belong groups are a wonderful opportunity for everyone - those new to TPC and long-time members - to build friendships and community.
Our Belong groups are designed to help you develop healthy relationships with others by sharing an activity of common interest. Belong groups are a wonderful opportunity for everyone - those new to TPC and long-time members - to build friendships and community.
Winter Hiking
Time & Place: Saturday Feb. 6 and 20 and March 6 and 20 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Purpose: Come outdoors, enjoy God’s creation, and build friendships within TPC this winter. Locations are generally within 10-30 minutes of TPC and vary from easy strolls (suitable for families ages 5+) to strenuous (active adults/teens).
Leader: Jen Bolster <jenniferbolster1@gmail.com>
Mary, Martha & Me
Time & Place: 1st Monday of the month 4 - 7 pm. Meeting location varies and will be announced at meetings and posted to TPC calendar.
Purpose: For single women to eat, chat & laugh together.
Contact: Karen Williams 410-823-7458, rewdmd@gmail.com. Register by emailing group leader.
Men’s Breakfast
Time & Place: Third Thursday of the month from 9 -10 a.m. at either BeeTree Preserve or via Zoom.
Purpose: Gather with other men for food, conversation and friendship.
Leader: Jimmy Carter Email: jcarter@effective-leaders-intl.com and Ed Lehwald edlehwald@gmail.com
TPC Connection
Time & Place: Sunday, Jan. 17 at 11:15 a.m. via Zoom
Purpose: Are you new to TPC in the last year and would you like to learn about our church and how you can become more involved? Join TPC’s pastors for a brief gathering to learn about our values and mission. We’d love to also learn about you and what brings you to TPC!
Contact: Dotsie at dbregel@gmail.com for more information
BECOME - You were created to Become a disciple
In our Become groups, we take a step to learn more about God, the Bible, ourselves and how we practice our faith. Our journey of faith is never finished, and we are always becoming in our journey with God. Become groups are broken into two categories: Grow and Going Deeper.
Grow
Epiphany Stars
Epiphany star words are simply words printed on paper or cardboard stars. Each year on Epiphany Sunday, each person is randomly given one as a star to follow, reflect upon and live with for the upcoming year. This year instead of receiving stars in worship, you are encouraged to choose a word for 2021 and create your own star. Click here for a list of words and click here for a star template to print.
Acts Bible Study
Time & Place - Mondays, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. via Zoom
Former TPC and Babcock Presbyterian Church pastor Rev. Harry Cahill is leading a new, in-depth study of Acts (as it’s commonly referred to). Written by the author of Luke, the book of Acts reveals how Jesus’ mission continued through his followers, even after his ascension to heaven.
TPC’s Lenten Church-Wide Study: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
The theme for Pastor Joel’s three-month Sabbatical this summer is focused around the book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer, and it’s invitation to slow down amidst the hurry and busyness that fills our lives and our culture.
If you did not register to receive a copy of the book (we have extras!) click here.
Register for a 4-week Small Group:
Sunday – 3/21, 3/28, 4/11, 4/18 from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.- click here
Monday – 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12 from 7:00-8:15 p.m. – click here
Tuesday – 3/16, 3/30, 4/13, 4/27 from 7:00-8:15 p.m. – click here
Wednesday – 3/17, 3/31, 4/14, 4/28 from 7:00-8:15 p.m. – click here
Saturday – 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/17 from 5:00-6:15 p.m. – click here
Circle 13
Time & Place: 2nd Monday of the Month from 7:30-9:00 p.m. via Zoom
Purpose: Open to all women, Circle 13 meets in various homes for friendship and study, though at this time meetings are via Zoom. A faith-based book or Bible study is chosen by the group and broken down into chapters for study September-May. The first half hour of our time together is fellowship; the last hour and a half for discussion.
Leader: Dotsie Bregel (dbregel@gmail.com)
Faith @ Home at towsonpres.org
Purpose: Spiritual formation occurs not only within a church context but also on our own at home. Click HERE to explore TPC’s Faith @ Home resources –videos, spiritual practices, podcasts, recommended reading, apps and prayer resources.
Joel & Rob’s Podcast
Purpose: Joel and Rob are back this winter to dive deeper into the themes and practices that come out of our Sunday morning worship services, as well as continuing their love affair of TV show theme songs. Click HERE to listen at home or on the go. Joel & Rob’s Podcast can also be found on iTunes and Google Play, as well as in video form on TPC’s Facebook page.
Practicing a Spiritual Practice with Rob & Joel
Time & Place: Third Monday of the month from 7:00-7:20 p.m. on TPC’s Facebook page
Purpose: Spirituality was not meant to be perfected but instead practiced, and we live our faith by practicing it. Once-a-month join Pastor Joel as he leads you through a guided prayer.
Men’s Group
Time & Place: 1st Monday of the Month from 7:00-8:15 p.m. via Zoom.
Purpose: Grab your favorite beverage and pull up a chair to grow in fellowship and formation with other men of the church.
Leader: Pastor Carter and Rev. Strom
BLESS - You were created to Bless others
In our Bless groups, you use your hands and feet to serve. Through these programs you recognize the needs of others and use your time and talent to positively impact the lives of others.
Assistance Center of Towson Churches (ACTC)
You can play an integral role in TPC's work to support ACTC, which provides emergency help to families and individuals experiencing financial insecurity. Join TPC to supply food, water, and support to prevent eviction and utility cutoffs, assist with payment for prescriptions, and lunches for individuals experiencing homelessness. CLICK links below to register.
All items can be delivered to ACTC every Monday morning or delivered to the following locations on Monday or Thursday.
- Ascension Lutheran Church, Mondays from 12 to 2 p.m.
- Trinity Episcopal Church, Thursdays from 12 to 2 p.m.
- Valley Baptist Church, Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m.
CLICK HERE to learn more about TPC's "Outreach" during the pandemic.
CLICK HERE to read more about the myriad of ways TPC feeds the community.
Intergenerational Garden (IGG)
Purpose: TPC proudly grows an Intergenerational Garden (IGG) located on the Church grounds at the corner of Hillside Avenue and West Chesapeake Avenue. All of the food grown and harvested in the garden is donated to local Towson meal programs to feed individuals experiencing poverty and food insecurity.
Leader: Carol Appleby carolappleby@comcast.net
CLICK HERE to sign up to water, weed and harvest our wonderful garden.
TPC volunteers with Mount Calvary AME's Hunger Ministries
Time & Place: 3rd Wednesday of the month
Purpose: Since June, TPC has prepared more than 300 meals for Mt Calvary AME’s Wednesday meal mission. In addition to assisting families, individuals and older adults in need, this partnership has fostered a wonderful relationship between our churches.
Leader: Jen Bolster jenniferbolster1@gmail.com
CLICK HERE to volunteer prepare food for the Mt. Calvary lunch program or to package and assist in delivery of the lunches from 11 am to 1 pm.
Prayer Shawl
Time & Place: Meets virtually on the third and fourth Tuesdays from 1 - 2 p.m.
Purpose: Shawls and lap blankets are made and given to those experiencing illness and loss, as well as welcome blankets and baptismal towels for babies and children.
Leader: Lorene LaBerge sing2melor@gmail.com
Register for Tuesday Click HERE
Student Support Network - New
Time & Place: TPC works with Student Support Network to provide food, clothing and other essential items to children attending Loch Raven Academy and Parkville High School.
Purpose: Aside from a child’s home, no other setting has more influence on a child’s health and well-being than their school, according to the Center for Disease Control. Due to COVID19 restrictions, Baltimore County Schools have not reopened and this adversely impacted thousands of children who are now hungry and their families are suffering severe economic stress relate to job loss. Join TPC's NEW partnership with Student Support Network (SSN) who works with staff from Baltimore County schools to connect with families in need.
Leader: Barb Plunkett (baplunkett4@gmail.com)
Click HERE (https://www.studentsupportnetwork.org/) to learn more about their mission and HERE (https://www.studentsupportnetwork.org/volunteers/) to begin serving with SSN.
Lead a Belong, Become or Bless Spiritual Formation Offering!
One of the best ways for you to serve is by leading a Belong, Become or Bless ministry at TPC. Contact Rev. Strom jstrom@towsonpres.org to learn how you can channel your energy and ability.
Honduras - Casita Copan Child Sponsorship
TPC has partnered with Casita Copan for the last several years during our annual mission trip to Honduras. Casita Copan provides children in need a safe and loving place to grow and go to school while their mothers spend the day at work. Sponsoring a child through Casita Copan is a fantastic opportunity to help these beautiful children receive a good education and receive the love and support they need to develop into successful adults. To learn more about Casita Copan click here and to sponsor a child click here.