Beginning Sunday, September 15, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
The Adult Christian Education Committee has been working on a wide array of opportunities for adults for this new season. Please check out the class descriptions below and make your plans to participate in these engaging opportunities! NOTE: Zoom links will be found in the Sunday morning email.

• The Present Word Class, 9:00 a.m., Room 124 and Zoom – The Present Word is an in-depth Bible study for adults that dives deep into God’s Word, studying the Bible over a six-week period and focusing on a specific theme each quarter. The lessons of this quarter are a study of worship practices offered as a grateful response to the covenantal relationship God initiates, first with Abraham, and later with the people of Israel. The patterns of worship reflect the gamut of community life, from praising God’s goodness and mercy to calling on God for help in times of crisis. Unit I, “Leaders Set Worship Example”; Unit II, “Songs of the Old Testament”; Unit III, “Psalms of Thanksgiving and Praise” Contact Heather Ferguson if you have any questions.

• The Lectionary Café, Salem Room, is a warm, welcoming gathering of folks seeking to engage more deeply into the Lectionary text (scripture focus) for each Sunday. The group shares an informal and lively discussion which seeks to draw deep connections between God’s intentions for our daily lives and our practices for a more faithful life together.

• Parents’ Conversation and Coffee, Room 126 – After getting children settled into their Sunday school classes, parents are invited to gather in Room 126 on the first floor for coffee and conversation. This is a great time to get to know other parents and compare notes on the joys and challenges of parenthood. On the first Sunday of the month we will have a special speaker, video, or other resource for deeper conversation on faith formation in the family and related topics. Other Sundays will offer free time to connect and maybe even share “best practices” in this amazing thing called Parenthood!

• The Power of Music, Ardmore Room Music is a powerful presence in our bodies and spirits. It can energize us, revive memories, comfort us in sorrow, meet us in joy, teach us how to listen to the world around us, attune us to others and to God, and even relieve our physical suffering. Anyone can love and participate in music! This class will show how the nuts and bolts of musical sounds work on us, how the natural world makes music, and how musical practice and listening can aid us in coming closer to God. The class will culminate in a special visit from music thanatologist Catharine DeLong, whose special training helps her to bring healing music to hospice patients and their loved ones. No musical background is needed to enjoy this class – just bring your ears, your presence, and your curiosity! September 15—Heidi Hart; September 22—Chris Gilliam; September 29—Susan Bates; October 6—Heidi Hart; October 13—Catharine DeLong (Fall Forum speaker)

• Big Questions of Faith and Life, Room 127 – Who is God? How does God find us? What are we doing here? Why doesn’t God do something about it? Who is Jesus? Who’s in charge here? What’s going to happen to us? If you have ever asked questions such as these—or are asking them now—then you are encouraged to join us on Sunday mornings to explore these foundational questions of our faith. Using Shirley Guthrie’s Christian Doctrine as our guide, we will explore these questions and others as we reflect on the faith we share. How might our faith equip us and sustain us as we engage issues and challenges in our lives and in our world? Leaders will be Randy Harris and Joe Blankinship. Books are available in the church office for $15. Contact Randy for further details.

Embracing the Diving Flow – Exploring Trinitarian Spirituality, October 20-November 17
Sundays, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Room 127
In this five-session series, Franciscan friar and ecumenical teacher, Father Richard Rohr invites us to consider a worldview framed and informed by the power of the Trinity, and through its dynamic flow, embrace and participate in the living, continuous relationship with the divine, and God’s ongoing work of transformation and redemption.
To see a trailer of this video series and discussion click here.

• A Universe Shaped by Shared Identity
• Praying Always: A Trinitarian Worldview
• Prepared for Unity with God
• Living In the Divine Flow of the Trinity
• Trinitarian Love and A Transformed Cross

The Complexity of Our Mental Health, Beginning in January
Have you heard the mental health statistics about our nation, state, and community, our children, youth, young adults, adults and older adults? This series will shed light on the mental health complexities facing so many of us while offering suggestions on how we can break through the stigmas to a place of compassion and empathy to all. We will have expert speakers each of the 5 weeks. For more information watch for email updates. Planned topics:

• The Big Picture of Mental Health and Trends in NC & W-S
• The Mental Health of Our Children, Youth and Young Adults
• The Mental Health of Our Parents
• The Mental Health of Adults and Older Adults
• The Mental Health of W-S and B.E.A.R. Team

Questions? Contact Heather Ferguson.