Staying Warm With Spirituality

Ashes to ashes ... Father Liz Groskoph and students Tony W. and Amanda W. mix ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Episcopalian Students “Deepen Faith” at Class

By Erika C.

February is, in most people’s minds, the dreariest month of the year. Although the snow is blowing and the temperatures are still freezing, spirituality and preparing for spring is helping The Family Foundation School students stay warm and get through the cold.

Episcopal priest Father Liz Groskoph holds a class every Tuesday for students interested in growing in their faith.

Father Liz has been teaching classes like this for about six years now as well as being a priest for over 20 years. She has worked at FFS for eight years and has spent that time trying to bring students closer to what they believe to be God.

Father Liz enjoys watching students grow spiritually. She does activities with the students that she believes will interest and excite them. “The main focus is to deepen faith and to learn more about denominational traditions,” said Father Liz. Students participate in Bible studies, study prayer and traditions, and learn to worship together. She likes how the class is directed mostly by what the students are interested in and their spiritual needs.

The class meets until spring, when students will have a chance to meet with Bishop Skip, who comes to visit FFS at least twice a year. The bishop will come to each lunch with students who wish to do so and are interested in asking the him questions.

In June the bishop will join Father Liz at Grace Church, where she currently serves, for the Official Visitation. Kids from her Episcopal Class will have the option of attending to make a Profession of Faith, which is either being confirmed into the Episcopal Church or reaffirming baptismal vows.

“I love learning more about Episcopal Studies and all the things we do with it,” said Amanda W., a student who attends the class weekly. “If people are going to learn, they have to start where they are and hopefully we are doing all this in the presence of God,” said Father Liz.