Sacred Journey

with St. James’ Episcopal Church

Austin, TX

William Manahan 2015

Sacred Journey is a Spiritual Formation program offered through St. James’ Episcopal Church in Austin, TX

Spiritual formation is a journey of change, aimed at developing the inner self and aligning one’s actions with spiritual principles.

We ground this formation program in a community of study, practice, reflection, and prayer—sharing our responses within the privacy of a group of seekers.

Sacred Journey is a weekly seminar from September to May

Sacred Journey is for spiritual formation, reflection, education, and discernment.

Sacred Journey is for sincere seekers after understanding, insight, and appreciation of the experience of God in everyday life.

Sacred Journey is not a Bible study, or therapy, or a book club!

Sacred Journey is a one-year commitment, which can be renewed for four years (and beyond!)

Sacred Journey is $150 per year, plus the cost of materials. Tuition goes to support curriculum development, training, and administrative costs. Scholarships are available.

At St James Episcopal Church, we currently offer one Sacred Journey group, which meets weekly via Zoom. The structure is that of a one-room schoolhouse; in other words, participants meet weekly with mentors for discussion and reflection on the readings assigned. The participants of each of the five program years have different areas of study: Year 1 - Old Testament, Year 2 - New Testament, Year 3 - Christianity, Year 4 - History of Ancient and Modern Religion. Beginning in the fall of 2025, a Year Five will begin at the request of our graduates. Other common readings are also assigned. While that structure sounds complex, it easily provides the foundation for a rich and varied conversation weekly.

Our participants vary in age, religious background, gender, race, ethnicity, professions, politics . . . We create a forum that is a safe place for all of us to explore our own faith journeys and to consider the ideas and behaviors that are of current concern.

For more information about the Sacred Journey program at St. James’ Episcopal Church, connect with one of our mentors: De Sellers (512-426-9952, desellerslpc@gmail.com), Lizzie Cain Clark (512-426-6575, lizziecainclark@gmail.com), Leah Goudge (802-233-9509, Lcchee@gmail.com), Oliver Smith (mmmoesmith@gmail.com), Russ Hodges, or Lucy Bergin (781-710-0027; lucy.bergin@gmail.com)

Participant Testimonials

Read alumni reviews of the program under our former name, Education for Ministry (EfM)

“If you are looking for something like EfM, you just hit the jackpot!”

“I have been given more insight to ways to think, process and reflect and been reading deeper and more diverse theologians than I did prior to EFM. ”

“It overflows into my personal and professional life and choices as well, in ways that are whole-making and restorative.”

“I went in hoping to deepen my knowledge, faith, and conviction. Maybe I could even discern what God wants me to do with my life going forward.”

“EFM is a reasoned exploration of biblical and religious thought.”

“I love learning in a diverse group of individuals who are willing to be inquisitive about scripture, theology and church history and feel safe doing so.”

“We are exploring deep ideas together.”

“I’m finding EFM to be meaningful and thought provoking.”

“Learning about Christianity and its rich 2000+ year history of spiritual practices and teachings has strengthened my own faith and provided me with new insights and perspectives.”