Welcome

The Center for Spiritual Formation programs help us to pray and to put our prayers into action in many ways. In ancient languages the word "spirit" means "breath." As we speak of spirituality we speak of the breath of God on which to focus our lives.

The Center's logo incorporates the St. James Church symbolic cross and chalice with a shell in the center. The shell is a symbol for the Apostle James, a symbol for baptism, and for the Center's mission to stimulate a new birth in Christian Faith. We welcome persons of various traditions to participate in our programs.

Mark Twain's Diaries of Adam & Eve Thursday, April 15 at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18 at 2:00 and 6:30 p.m. The Chapel of the Twelve Apostles will be the stage for the performances of this celebration of love and companionship. The Thursday performance will be preceded by a reception at 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall parlor. The play is structured as a series of diary entries by Adam and Eve. Twain’s Garden of Eden shines with wit, laughter and the poignance of first love and first loss. Scott Paetty (Adam) is a London and Los Angeles-trained actor who has appeared in film, television and in numerous off-Broadway and regional theater productions. A Louisiana native, he returned to Baton Rouge to serve as a law clerk for the Hon. James Brady. St. James parishioner and local actress Nancy Litton (Eve) teaches at LSU and has appeared in numerous productions of the Baton Rouge Little Theater, Swine Palace, Playmakers and Baker Little Theater. Twain, the American humorist best known for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, revealed a softer and more reflective side in these diaries written late in his life. The diaries were adapted for the stage by noted actor David Birney and originally broadcast on American Playhouse. Media resources -- including hi- and lo-res graphics -- are available here.

Our Library

We are privileged to learn and study from some of the finest authors in the world. We have links to books used in our current and upcoming programs at Our Library site. If you so choose, purchase of books through the links on our site will help support the programs and outreach activities of The Center.

Ongoing Programs

Everyone is invited to participate in the ecumenical programs that help to cultivate ourspiritual growth and awareness of God in our daily lives.

Yoga in a highly meditative style that uses comfortable propped poses meets on the Second and Fourth Mondays: 11:30 - 1:00 on the third floor of the Ministry Center. This is a consciousness-oriented yoga in the Svaroopa Style that promotes healing and transformation of mind and body. For information contact Margaret Culbertson at mculb@bellsouth.net or 753-4206.

Spiritual Direction is a time to reflect about one's relationship with God. One hour conversational meetings are by appointment with Deacon Pat Lyle. Please call her at 225-936-1492.

Fifth Sunday Celebration

A signature of the Center is called "Fifth Sunday Celebration." This is a once per quarter parish-wide celebration that will include lunch and a guest lecturer with programs for the adults and the youth.

Following the 11:00 a.m. Eucharist a meal of burgers and mouth watering fixings will fill both a hungry heart and stomach. "I am the bread of life; you who come to me shall not hunger." A part of our meal will be to serve those less fortunate in our community as we put our prayers into action through outreach.

Forthcoming

The word 'spiritual' means connected with the mind and the feelings, and the word 'spirit' in both Hebrew and Greek means "breath." The CSF strives to offer programs that will enable you to enrich your feelings of self and also encourage you to reach out to others with a renewed energy.

• Create and provide resources to families and individuals for the development of the spiritual life in the home, and to provide resources for parish groups and ministries.
• The Center will work for a celebration of the arts including an art show, a summer musical series, an Epiphany display of the Magi, and art classes on icon painting and illustrated manuscripts.
• Provide spaces for listening, such as an Advent and Lenten, "mini-retreat" at the church, annual men's and women's weekend resources for parish groups and ministries.