CHRISTIAN FORMATION FOR ADULTS
Regular Sunday 10am Forums and Study Groups Resume on September 8
We offer adult study groups 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 Forum 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 always 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 Forum 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 always 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.
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FORUMS
Sept. 8 Our Faith Tradition and Immigration What does the Bible say about who God's intentions for God's people? What direction can we glean from the UCC's history and resolutions? Using key stories and verses around immigration we'll explore how we live into being an "Immigrant Welcoming Congregation". Sept. 15 Local Faces of Immigration Community members will share their stories of challenges as immigrants. Support service providers will offer perspectives on their involvement with immigrant families. Sept. 22 Interfaith Solidarity and Accompaniment Coalition (ISAAC) Learn about the interfaith community of N. CO's commitment to work in solidarity for human dignity and immigration justice. They sponsor educational programs, vigils, advocacy opportunities and training events for the community. Sept. 29 “The life and legacy of Marcus Borg.” Among the founders of The Jesus Seminar, New Testament professor Borg sought to make Christianity understandable and relevant to modern people. (Note the weeknight study of one of his books starting Oct. 1.). He was also a deeply spirited person whose friendship had a profound influence on today’s speaker, the Rev. Hal Chorpenning. (Note the weeknight study of his Heart of Christianity starting Oct. 1.). October preview: Oct. 6 Dealing with Spiritual Burnout as we do Justice Work Oct. 13 Theological Foundations for our Homelessness Advocacy Oct. 20 Panel Discussion of Leaders of our Various Homelessness Ministries Oct. 27 Dramatic Presentation of the HPI Sleep Out Ministry, led by the HPI Youth. |
STUDY GROUPS
Sept. 8-29: “The Time Is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage,” by Joan Chittister. In a time of increased right-wing radicalism and escalating governmental actions that cut against the grain of Christian values, where are the prophets who will speak truth regardless of the consequences? Growing out of a lifetime of activism, Sr. Chittister lays out a call to action to save the country and the spiritual foundations to sustain justice work. Facilitated by Irene Wherritt, Fireside Room. Meditation and Prayer Space The North Adult Ed Room will be set up as a quiet space to pray, meditate, or simply be quiet together, through the month of September. October (4 weeks): GLBTQ people, Bible & The Church, led by Rev. Dr. Mark Lee. The biggest source of anti-gay arguments reside in religion, often quoting a select few Bible texts that have come to be called the “Clobber Passages.” Learn ways to read these passages that don’t use these texts as clubs against queer people. We will also explore often overlooked affirming Biblical passages that LGBTQ people, their families and allies can use as building blocks for a vibrant faith. Meets in the Fireside Room. Nonviolent Communication, led by Laura Nelson. Using the workbook Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook A Practical Guide for Individual Group or Classroom Study by Lucy Leu, this class will provide an introduction to the discipline of Nonviolent Communication, and explore how it can benefit church and community settings. November Interterm Join with the various opportunities for growing spiritual roots offered throughout the building during the Education Hour. No regular classes or Forums, but many chance to root, grow and bloom. |
Weekdays
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Heart of Christianity
Tuesday evenings, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., 10 weeks starting October 1, 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 will begin meeting again on 9/9 and will continue meeting 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. Bible Basics
Monday Nights, through June 10 (then break for the summer), 4-5:15 pm Slots Open! Join Hal Chorpenning and other Plymouth members and friends in an introductory exploration of the Bible. (This is aimed at beginners and not intended for folks who can already find their way around the Old and New Testaments.) Fireside Rm. Join us! Info |
Celtic Spirituality
Wednesday Mornings: The Celtic Spirituality 1 group meets at 8am in the church conference room during the academic year, through May 29. In the summer, the group will meet only on the 2nd Wednesdays (6/12, 7/10, 8/14). 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. They are currently on summer break and will resume on September 10. All are welcome. Questions? Les Fraley or 970.221.1624.
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Retreat at La Foret
The First New Testament: Paul and the Earliest Gospel Traditions
October 14 - 16
We have a tendency to think about the early church as a pure and uncorrupted time, before Christianity was changed by councils, schisms, and power. But the earliest Jesus-followers disagreed about as much as they agreed on, and their early attempts to understand Jesus’ life and death were creative, contentious, and often mutually exclusive. The early church’s history is more complicated than we often give it credit for, and the echoes of that complicated history can be found in the pages of the earliest New Testament books.
Using Paul’s letters and the canonical gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry, Rev. Dr. Eric C. Smith will help us think through the lives and faiths of the first followers of Jesus, who took the religion of an executed Jewish teacher and turned it into a major religion in the Roman Empire. This study will enrich the knowledge of clergy and laity alike,
and it will help frame and inform your knowledge of the Bible,
Christian theology, and history.
Cost:
$290 (lodging and all meals included)
$150 Commuter option (lunch and dinner included)0
Register here (registration opens July 26)
October 14 - 16
We have a tendency to think about the early church as a pure and uncorrupted time, before Christianity was changed by councils, schisms, and power. But the earliest Jesus-followers disagreed about as much as they agreed on, and their early attempts to understand Jesus’ life and death were creative, contentious, and often mutually exclusive. The early church’s history is more complicated than we often give it credit for, and the echoes of that complicated history can be found in the pages of the earliest New Testament books.
Using Paul’s letters and the canonical gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry, Rev. Dr. Eric C. Smith will help us think through the lives and faiths of the first followers of Jesus, who took the religion of an executed Jewish teacher and turned it into a major religion in the Roman Empire. This study will enrich the knowledge of clergy and laity alike,
and it will help frame and inform your knowledge of the Bible,
Christian theology, and history.
Cost:
$290 (lodging and all meals included)
$150 Commuter option (lunch and dinner included)0
Register here (registration opens July 26)