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.
Hiking
Time & Place: Saturday Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and 24, Nov. 7 and 21 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Purpose: Come outdoors and enjoy God’s creation this fall. 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 Register HERE
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
Register HERE
Parents Night Out
Time & Place: Friday, Oct. 16 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. via Zoom
Purpose: See old friends and meet new people at TPC’s Parents Night Out Zoom Happy Hour with breakout groups of 3-4 people. More details to come via Evite.
Contact: Kimberly at light.kimberly@yahoo.com to be added to the Evite.
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
Animate: Faith SMALL GROUP
Time & Place: Mondays from Oct. 5– Nov. 16 (7 sessions) from 7:00-8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Purpose: Do you have big questions about your faith and the big questions of faith - God, Jesus, the Cross, the Bible and the Church? Would you like to discuss your thoughts and questions in a safe, non-judgmental space with fellow travelers? Come and join Rev. Mark Smiley, a United Methodist minister and psychotherapist who attends Towson Presbyterian Church, for a journey through these sometimes-thorny matters of faith. Mark is less interested in denominational distinctives than good questions and healthy discussions about that which matters to you. Animate: Faith journals are $15.00, and registration is limited to 12.
Leader: Mark Smiley (msmileyumc@gmail.com)
Animate: Practices SMALL GROUP
Time & Place: Wednesdays from Oct. 7-Nov. 18 (7 sessions) from 7:00-8:00 p.m. via Zoom
Purpose: This fall in worship TPC is exploring the Animate: Practices series, which looks at some of the core practices of our faith (prayer, food, worship, money, worship, service, community and sacraments). This Small Group will explore each practice further using the Animate: Practices video series and take on the at-home practice together. Animate: Practices journals are $15.00, and registration is limited to 15.
Leader: Pat Keller (pat10keller@gmail.com)
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: This fall Joel and Rob dive deeper into the Animate Practice we’re exploring as a church, as well as continuing their love affair of TV show theme songs. Click HERE to listen. Joel & Rob’s Podcast can also be found on iTunes and Google Play, as well as in video form on TPC’s Facebook page.
Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl SMALL GROUP
Time & Place: Monday October 12 - Nov.2 from 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom
Purpose: One of the greatest books of our time, Man’s Search for Meaning, is a testament to the enduring resilience of faith and the ability of the Human Spirit to rebound from tremendous adversity. It has renewed relevance for us in today’s complex world of racial injustice and forced isolation. Based on his own experience in Auschwitz concentration camp, Frankl argues that we can’t avoid suffering, pain, discomfort, injustice, and isolation, but we can choose how to respond to it—how to cope, how to find meaning and move forward with renewed purpose. Books can be purchased online wherever books are sold. Registration is limited to 12.
Leader: Mike Goodrich mpgoodrich1010@gmail.com
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
Purpose: Spirituality was not meant to be perfected but instead practiced, and we live our faith by practicing it. Once-a-month join Rob and Joel on Facebook Live as they lead you through a spiritual practice.
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
Go Deeper
"Seeing White Podcast" Discussion Groups
Time & Place: Choose from 3 different discussion groups that meet via Zoom.
(listed in chronological order): Thursday Oct. 1, 15, 29, Nov. 12, and Dec. 3 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Nicolosi); Sunday Oct. 4 and 18, Nov. 1 and 15, and Dec. 6 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Rath) and Friday Oct. 2, 16, 30, Nov. 13, and Dec. 4 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Randolph)
Purpose: This is one more way TPC can explore its role in becoming a force for good in dismantling racial inequity, by listening to and discussing the first six episodes of the acclaimed podcast series, Seeing White. The time is now for continued action in the form of study, growth, and learning on this issue that remains so central to our nation, churches, and communities. Institutionalized racism and systems of power are “the water” in which we swim. We continue to try to see “the water” through these Small Group discussion which are intended to be safe spaces to learn and build relationships of trust through honest conversation.
Leader: Ro Nicolosi (rosemarynicolosi@gmail.com), Ruth Anne Randolph (ruthanne.randolph@verizon.net), Patty Rath, (pattygrath@gmail.com)
Register HERE by clicking link
Thursday Register HERE
Friday Register HERE
SundayRegister HERE
The Gospel of Mark
Time & Place: Meets Monday beginning October 12 from 10 -11 am via Zoom
Purpose: Join Rev. Harry Cahill as he slowly explores Mark’s Gospel, the shortest of the four Gospels, and the historical and cultural upheavals that effected Jesus’ life and times. Throughout this study you will ponder how the reality of Christ’s kingdom gives us motivation, hope, good cheer and love to do what God requires of us during our dark and difficult times.
Leader: Rev. Harry Cahill, former associate pastor at TPC and former pastor at Babcock Presbyterian Church.
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.