CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR ADULTS
We offer adult study groups (details below) every week you can choose between two ongoing classes. These classes generally run six to eight weeks, which provides an opportunity to deeply explore a topic with a group of fellow-inquirers. Generally, one of the classes is broadly "spiritual" in nature –dealing with theology, Bible, prayer, or the spiritual life. The other class is broadly "social" –looking at issues of society, economics, environment, or politics in the light of faith.
The weekly 10 a.m. Forum (details below) provides an opportunity to hear a speaker address current issues. Often these speakers are from outside the church and let us know about community organizations people might want to work with, bring us a particular point of view on a current issue, or are part of a candidate forum ahead of an election. Speakers from within the congregation share their professional expertise, with an eye towards how their faith and church setting shapes the discussion. There is time for questions and answers, and we encourage people to follow up on topics that engage them.
Additionally, we bring in an outside Visiting Scholar on an annual basis. During this weekend, usually in the fall, we bring in a major scholar for a weekend of lectures and workshops. Previous years' visiting scholars include Marcus Borg, Dom Crosson, Andrea White, and John Bell from Iona.
The weekly 10 a.m. Forum (details below) provides an opportunity to hear a speaker address current issues. Often these speakers are from outside the church and let us know about community organizations people might want to work with, bring us a particular point of view on a current issue, or are part of a candidate forum ahead of an election. Speakers from within the congregation share their professional expertise, with an eye towards how their faith and church setting shapes the discussion. There is time for questions and answers, and we encourage people to follow up on topics that engage them.
Additionally, we bring in an outside Visiting Scholar on an annual basis. During this weekend, usually in the fall, we bring in a major scholar for a weekend of lectures and workshops. Previous years' visiting scholars include Marcus Borg, Dom Crosson, Andrea White, and John Bell from Iona.
Sunday Forums
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December
December 1 Sanctuary Everywhere Community Village Foothills Unitarian members will describe the village model of support for asylum seekers which offers emotional and financial support to those in the Aurora ICE Detention Center and enables their release to sponsors who host them during the course of their legal case. Upon release from detention support is given by a 6 person team of volunteers who help them connect to community resources and work towards self-sufficiency. December 8 Reporting from the Border The Plymouth sponsored border trip delegation, who spent a week on the Mexican - Arizona border in November, will share reflections, slides and new understandings from their experience. December 15 Emergency Operation Center How does an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation respond in an immigration-related emergency? Last summer nationwide “raids” were threatened, “Mexicans” were hunted down in El Paso, and ICE workplace raids left children stranded after school. Building on its community partnerships, our Immigration Team proposed Plymouth serve as an Operation Center should the need arise here. Come learn about the proposal, even as we pray it will never be needed. |
January Preview
Gender and Faith Join us for a time of prayer, study, and dialogue to deepen our understanding and welcome as an Open and Affirming congregation to discuss and learn about issues of gender identity. As people deal with non-conforming gender identities it generates significant friction for them as individuals and as communities. How do we move from ONA affirmation to ONA advocacy? |
Sunday 10 am Classes for Dec. 1-15
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World Hot Spots Class (North Adult Ed Rm)
Dec. 1 UKRAINE AND RUSSIA Joining a Presbyterian Peacemaking Project team Bill Thompson spent two weeks in April and May of 2019 visiting Moscow, Minsk and Kiev, talking to people about the ongoing war and what the way to peace might be. Since then there have been promising signs of a new peace as prisoners have been exchanged and the troops have been pulled back from the front lines. Dec. 8 No class; attend the forum Dec. 15 KOREAS: NORTH AND SOUTH Bill Thompson took advantage of a Fulbright Scholar’s Award in 2014 to spend six months in South Korea at the Kyung Hee University’s Graduate Institute of Peace Studies in 2014 teaching a course on peacemaking. Just 30 miles south of the DMZ w explored various aspects of peace building including the possibility of reunification. |
“Help! My Kids Are Nones’” Discussion (Fireside Rm)
3 weeks 12/1-15. Religious “Nones” (“None of the above”) are the fastest growing religious identity in the US. And sometimes they are our own loved ones who grew up in the church. How to understand them, and promote healthy family interfaith discussion over the holidays? |
Weekdays
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Heart of Christianity
Tuesday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., 10 weeks through Dec. 10, Fireside Room “The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering A Life of Faith," by Marcus Borg. Borg provides a progressive vision for Christian faithing, walking readers through the central doctrines of Christianity: God, Jesus, Spirit, the Bible, God’s realm, personal transformation and more. While acknowledging the strengths of traditional views, Borg includes contemporary Biblical, scientific, interfaith and social science insights to create an expansive way of being Christian that does justice to the needs of 21st century people. Facilitated by Ken Freese. Wholeness Prayer The Wholeness Prayer Group meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays, 10-11:30am in the Adult Ed room. You are welcome to join us as we share our concerns, pray for each other, the church, our country and the world. |
Celtic Spirituality
Wednesday Mornings: The Celtic Spirituality 1 group meets at 8am in the church conference room during the academic year. All welcome. Mary Freese for more info.
Tuesday Mornings: The Celtic Spirituality II group meets in the Conference Room from 9-10:15am during the academic year. All are welcome. Questions? Les Fraley or 970.221.1624.
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