Grow

Discover a diverse array of programs and opportunities designed to deepen your faith and nurture your spiritual journey at First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael.

Contemplative Spirituality - One World, One Spirit

  • Wednesdays, 10:00 am in the chapel

    Meditation based on the contemplative practices of early Christians. Includes body prayer and lectio divina.

  • 8:30 am in the chapel

    A worship experience that weaves silence, meditative music, chants and weekly communion around a sermon message.

  • First Wednesday of the month, 5:30 pm, in chapel

    Monthly candle-lit service of contemplative readings, music and chants which invite the participant to be still and listen to the voice within.

  • Offered by certificated Spiritual Directors to individuals who seek to increase their awareness of the movement of the Spirit in their lives.

  • Opportunities to explore spiritual practices of a variety of traditions shared by interfaith teachers, inviting us to deepen our experience of the Holy Mystery in new ways.

  • Feb. 2022 | John Philip Newell – Celtic Spirituality

    May 2022 | Rev. Vince Pizzuto – Christian Mysticism 

    Oct. 2022 | John Prendergast – Embodied Spiritual Awakening

    Mar. 2023 | Fr. Cyprian Consiglio – Prayer in the Cave of the Heart: Music & Contemplation

    May 2024 | Mark Yaconelli –  How Stories Can Save Us

    Oct. 2024 | Anne Lamott – One Writer’s Spiritual Journey: Love, Humor and Hope

Adult Education Forums

Sundays at 11:15 am in the chapel

We invite speakers to present talks on a variety of topics, including interfaith dialogue, Christian theology, Celtic Spirituality, social justice issues, climate change, end of life decisions, art & faith, and more. Check the Thursday E-news for upcoming forums.

Bible Study

Wednesdays at 11:15 am in the church library

Each week, retired Presbyterian pastor Rev. Bob Hirni leads a lively Bible study to help people better understand the cultural context, historical setting, and tools for interpreting biblical texts. The group studies one book of the Bible in-depth for a few months. All are welcome to these studies.

Women’s and Men’s Book Groups

The ongoing book groups are open to anyone interested in reading and discussing books.  The Men’s Book Group meets on Zoom twice a month on Thursday mornings and usually chooses non-fiction books on current topics. The Women’s Book group meets once a month on the last Wednesday of the month in the evening and usually a variety of fiction and non-fiction books. Check the Thursday E-news for current books and meeting dates.

All-Church Book Studies

Once or twice a year, the whole church and community are invited to read a book together and meet to discuss how we can deepen our understanding of the topic and awareness of God’s presence in our lives and the world.  The small groups meet both in person and online (Zoom).  Recent books our congregation has read and discussed are:

  • The Rebirthing of God: Christianity's Struggle for New Beginnings by John Phillip Newell

  • Beguiled by Beauty: Cultivating a Life of Contemplation and Compassion  by Wendy Farley

  • Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: Celtic Wisdom for Reawakening to What Our Souls Know and Healing the World by John Phillip Newell

  • A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet by Sarah Jaquette Ray 

  • The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe by Richard Rohr

  • Days of Awe and Wonder: How to Be A Christian in the 21st Century by Marcus Borg