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!

• During the season of Advent we are offering an opportunity to join us as we read and study the book Calling All Angels: An Advent Study on Fearlessness and Strength. The class will be offered Sunday mornings, December 1, 8 and 15, 9:30 a.m., Ardmore Room and via zoom on Monday evenings, December 2, 9 and 16, at 7:00 p.m. The content of both class offerings will be the same.
  What would you do if you were not afraid? Life can be daunting, filled with uncertainty and fears. It wasn’t any different two thousand years ago when Jesus was born. An aged priest is told he is about to become a father for the first time. A young woman is told she is going to give birth – outside the protection of marriage. A simple carpenter is asked to believe the impossible. A group of shepherds’ night on a hill is interrupted by a bright host of angels in the sky. Yet, each of these encounters begins with the same refrain: do not be afraid. Those words, though, are not just words of comfort; they are an invitation and a calling from God. Books are available in the Gallery Hall ($15).

Coming in January
The Life and Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Beginning January 5
A recent movie (Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin, 2024) has brought Dietrich Bonhoeffer back into public view. Using the book Dietrich Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians as a guide to his life and work, participants in the class will also read selections from Bonhoeffer’s writings as we consider what his work meant in his time, and what he might say to our time. Led by Randy Harris and others

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.