Adult Education & Spiritual Formation

We are life-long learners who seek to grow in faith, understanding, and depth.

Come learn and explore your faith with us!

The goal of Adult Education and Spiritual Formation at Calvary is to create educational ministries and nurture an environment that enables and excites people of all ages to grow in Christian faith and affirm their faith with the church, the city, and the world.

Bible Studies

We offer Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies on Zoom as well as in-person Bible Study at the church on Sunday mornings at 9am. During the season of Lent, we hold a church-wide Lenten Small Group Bible Study.


At Calvary, we read scripture in its historical and cultural contexts as we learn together how this sacred text continues to apply to our lives today.

Sign Up for Zoom Bible Studies

Sunday Morning Seminars

On certain Sunday mornings at 11:30am, speakers and presenters join us to teach, lead, and facilitate discussion on faith, scripture, and our lives.


Everything from current events to topics on the gospels and worship are shared.

Share Your Ideas on Programming Here

Author Events

Often in partnership with Book Passage, Calvary hosts events with current authors speaking about their most recent books. We have welcomed authors Reza Aslan, Lisa Sharon Harper, Carolyn Chen, Anne Lamott, and Ronan Farrow.

Upcoming Adult Ed & Spiritual Formation Events




Calvary Racial Equity Initiative Presents…

ONE CHURCH ONE BOOK DISCUSSION ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 27 11:30AM • LOUNGE 

A captivating story weaving history, traditional storytelling and his own personal journey, Mr. Noisecat paints an intricate landscape of native life across this continent. Calvary’s Racial Equity Initiative invites you to hear the stories of marginalized, often black and brown people, to develop compassion and resist the ways our society dehumanizes our brothers and sisters. Please join us and read this book now. There are extra copies in the library to borrow. Discussion to follow September 27th at 11:30am in person or on zoom. For more information, click to contact Erin King.
JOIN US! NEW MEMBER CLASS Sunday, September 27 • 11:30am Calvary’s membership events are held throughout the year to provide interested attendees and prospective members the opportunity to learn more about Calvary, the Presbyterian Church, and their faith in general. Calvary is a vibrant and energetic church, open to all who wish to grow in Christ—and we’d like to help you discover all the amazing things we have to offer. Bring questions and connect with other new people in this interactive time. The class covers the following topics, among others: • Responses to your specific questions • How faith connects to our everyday life • What it means to be a member of Calvary • Basic beliefs shared by Christians, Protestants, and the Presbyterian Church CLICK TO EMAIL FOR MORE INFO
Adult Education The Seminary and the Sanctuary Partners in Formation Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 11:30 AM in the Lounge Join us as the Rev. Dr. Joanne Whitt shares with us about her new role as the Dean of San Francisco Theological Seminary. We will explore together the Presbyterian commitment to theological education; the San Anselmo campus; current programs offered at the seminary; and the challenges of theological education today. There is a long history and connection of Calvary with SFTS (including our founder!), and we hope you will join us to learn more!
The future of Project Homeless Connect WITH PAMELA GRAYSON-HOLMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11 • 11:30AM • LOUNGE Learn from the executive director of Project Homeless Connect, San Francisco’s most ambitious service organization. PHC offers just about everything Jesus stood for: clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, free healthcare, dental work, vision care, legal/immigration support—even DMV-issued identification cards. Recently, our city defunded PHC citing a new “outcomes-based” approach to “keeping our streets clean.” If you don’t hear sufficient morality in that approach, this adult ed session is for you. Presented by the committees of Calvary’s Mission & Care Program.
The Women of Calvary Bible Study meets via Zoom on the third Thursday of the month from 6-7:15pm beginning on October 15. This year's theme is: United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians by Rhonda Mawhood Lee Join us as we learn about Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth. This Bible study explores the letter’s setting, divisions within the congregation, and ultimately, the gifts given to all through the work of Christ. Readers will be fascinated by this journey to Corinth and will explore how Paul’s timeless message of loving unity calls Christ’s followers today. You may pick up this year's Bible Study books at the front desk on Sundays, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, and 10/11. They are $10, but please do not let cost be a hinderance - scholarships are available. Click to contact Rev. Joann Lee for the Zoom information - joannlee@calpres.org
CALVARY’S LIVING SANCTUARY MINISTRY PRESENTS 
MISSION DELEGATION REPORT BACK SUNDAY, OCT 18 • 11:30AM • LOUNGE A Living Sanctuary Delegation from Calvary went to Watsonville to learn from the farmworkers and migrants who grow and harvest our food. They also met with our neighbors in San Jose Presbytery to hear how their churches support and walk with the immigrants and refugees in their presbytery. Come hear their stories, see their pictures, and glean from their learnings!
Fall Festival Sunday, October 25, 2026 10 - 11 am Worship. Come to worship wearing your Halloween Costume (Please no scary or violently themed costumes.) 11:15 am – 12:30 pm Join us for the annual Calvary Fall Festival! Let’s celebrate fall together with fun crafts and simple carnival games in Calvin Hall and some candy distribution along Fillmore Street (Calvary's glass exterior). Costume-wearing is encouraged and welcomed, even in worship! (No scary or violent costumes, please.) Perhaps a small parade as we head down to Sunday Studio will also be in order! Neighbors and friends, regardless of church membership, are all welcome! SCHEDULE: 10:00 am – 11:00 am             Worship + Sunday Studio 11:15 am – 11:30 am             Fall Games & Crafts in Calvin Hall 11:30 am – 12:15 pm             Candy Distribution along Calvary’s Fillmore St
Hope in the streets: A Documentary on Rev. Glenda Hope Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 11:30am-12:30pm Calvin Hall Join us for the Calvary showing of the documentary Hope in the Streets which traces Rev. Glenda Hope's journey from childhood to 50 years of ministry among San Francisco's most vulnerable. Q&A with filmmaker Joshua Chuck will follow the 38 minute film.
ADULT EDUCATION
 Navigating Change in the Presbytery of San Francisco Sunday, November 15, 2026 11:30 am - 12:30 pm in the Chapel Rev. Laura Mariko Cheifetz Transitional Executive Presbyter of San Francisco Presbytery 

Join us as we hear from The Reverend Laura Mariko Cheifetz, Transitional Executive Presbyter of San Francisco Presbytery and guest preacher for the day. She is a biracial Asian American queer ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served previously in racial and gender justice advocacy, religious publishing, reproductive justice, and theological education in the Midwest, East, and Southeast. Born in San Francisco, raised in eastern Oregon and western Washington, she is a double “pastors’ kid.” Rev. Cheifetz will share with us news from the presbytery, the transitions the San Francisco Presbytery has undergone since her tenure began in 2025, and what transitions and exciting possibilities await us! For over 170 years, the Presbytery of San Francisco has connected Presbyterian congregations across the Bay Area. Its mission is to celebrate, nurture and serve our communities, through our life together in Christ.

Adult Ed Resources

July 12, 2026 - My Name is Pauli Murray  •  Documentary

May 3, 2026 - Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo  •  Biography

April 19, 2026 - David Richo, Ph.D. & Barry Brown  • Payback to Love Back: Relating Without Retaliating

February 8, 2026 - Mark Yaconelli  •  Book: Between the Listening and the Telling: How Stories Can Save Us

February 1, 2026 - LGBTQ+ Asylum Project  •  Website: lgbtasylumproject.org

November 23, 2025 - Rev. Marci Glass  •  A History of Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer

November 16, 2025 - Sonia Daccarett  •  Book: The Roots of the Guava Tree: Growing Up Jewish & Arab in Colombia

October 12, 2025 - Raphael House  •  Website: raphaelhouse.org

September, 14, 2025 - San Francisco SafeHouse  •  Website: sfsafehouse.org

June 8, 2025 - Observing World Refugee Day  •  Website: Asian Prisoner Support

March 2, 2025 - Janna Barkin  •  Book: A Grand Love: Stories for Grandparents of Transgender Grandchildren

February 9, 2025 -   Interfaith Movement 4 Human Integrity  •  Angela Chan with the SF Public Defender's Office

January 26, 2025 - Susan Nienaber  •  Website: susannienaber.com

November 17, 2025 - Matthew Black • Website: matthewblackmusic.com

October 23, 2024 - Dr. Linda Eckert  •  Book: Enough: We Can Stop Cervical Cancer


October 20, 2024 - Alison Owings & Del Seymour  •  Book: The Mayor of the Tenderloin 


October 6, 2024 - Challenging the Arguments Against Black Reparations with Don Tamaki  •  Livestream Recording


September 22, 2024 - Jack Has a Plan  •  Trailer


September 15, 2024 - The Rev. Bruce Barkhauer  •  Website: Center for Faith and Giving


June 2, 2024 - Border Delegation Report Back •  Whiskey 8   •  Whiskey 8  Wishlist  •  Haitian Bridge Alliance


May 5, 2024 - Eddy Zheng  •  new-breath.org  •  Documentary: Breathin': the Eddy Zheng Story


April 14, 2024 - Author Kevin Nye  •  Book: Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness


March 3, 2024 - Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow  •  Book: Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith


November 19, 2023 - Paul Tate & Tenisha Tate-Austin  •  Documentary: Our America: Lowballed

Thank you for attending our Q&A with Paul & Tenisha on November 19!


It was an absolutely informative session with one of the couples featured in the documentary Lowballed.
If you haven't had a chance to watch the film yet, please stream it here for free.

Paul and Tenisha had a housing appraisal in Marin City, CA where the appraiser lowballed them by an incredulous amount because they had 'black items' in their house, like food, art, books, clothes, and more. After seeing several red flags on their appraisal, they experimented later on by taking their belongings out of their house and replaced them with 'white items' and their next appraisal was $500,000 higher than the previous one. The documentary highlights a few black and brown families across America that have experienced this part of systemic racism.

We continue to march forward in unity, action, and spirit for justice of the oppressed.


A nighttime city scape with the text

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.


Psalm 86:11

2 large doves carrying olive leaves in their mouth. The title reads

Planting Peace, Sowing Shalom - Lenten Bible Study Guide 2024

By Rev. Joann Lee • February 18, 2024
Download 2024's Lenten Bible Study Guide.
Lenten Bible Study - Many Ancient Coins

2023 Small Group Lenten Bible Study

By Rachel Wolf • February 8, 2023
Lent is a time to prayerfully reflect and reconnect with God. You are invited to join us on a Lenten journey to deepen our faith and deepen our community as...
Sanctified Art - A blue-tonedJoseph sleeping with Gold Accents

Advent Devotional Booklet 2022

By Rachel Wolf • November 24, 2022
Download the 2022 Advent Devotional Booklet.
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Contact Calvary's
Adult Spiritual Education Ministry

2515 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Rev. Joann Lee
Associate Pastor for Community Formation

joannlee@calpres.org

415-346-3832 x 416


Adult Ed Contact Us