Listening to Black Voices Book Group – Join us via Zoom January 28 at 7:00 p.m. as we continue reading and reflecting on the experience of our African American neighbors, and consider what our faithful responses might entail. In January we will return to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” from his book Why We Can’t Wait. If you are interested, please contact Randy Harris.
Thursday Morning Women’s Study – Jesus for Everyone, Not Just Christians, by Amy-Jill Levine. Beginning November 21, 10:00–11:30 a.m., Ardmore Room. Why Jesus’s historic and cultural influence makes him fascinating, provocative, and relevant for everyone, not only Christians. Two thousand years after his birth and death, Jesus of Nazareth continues to be of vital interest. Yet much of the scholarship around Jesus focuses on his religious significance. Jesus for Everyone examines his most famous teachings from a fresh perspective, exploring how they have continued to shape ethics and civilization in the West for two millennia. Even for those who reject faith, Jesus’s life and his philosophy are important to study, writes renowned biblical scholar and author Amy-Jill Levine, because of the insights they hold for us today. Poring through scripture, analyzing what historical scholarship has revealed about Jesus’s views on a number of subjects including women—reveals surprising messages sure to be fascinating to all readers. Placing Jesus of Nazareth within his historical context, Levine brings him vividly into focus and invites everyone from faithful Christians, agnostics, and the most committed nonbelievers to appreciate his lasting impact on the modern world. If you are looking for a fun, engaging group of women to study alongside while building lifelong friendships, please join us. For more information or to purchase a book for $10 contact Heather Ferguson.
New Matthew 25 Book Group – Beginning Monday, January 20 (3rd Mondays) 7:00 p.m. As we begin a new year of ministry together and enter a new season in our country’s life, we seek to deepen our roots as a Matthew 25 congregation, focusing on building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty. The first book for our new Matthew 25 Book Group will be You Are Changing the World: Whether You Like it or Not by David LaMotte. Kathleen Norris has written, “This book serves as an antidote to the hopelessness so many of us feel about our world today.” If you are in need of an antidote, we hope you will join us. Reach out to Debbie Layman with questions or to sign up. The group will meet on the third Mondays at 7:00 p.m.
Spring Poverty Group – Beginning February 24 (4th Mondays), 7:00 p.m. Our spring Poverty Book Group book will be White Poverty by Reverend Dr. William Barber. Dr. Barber began the Moral Mondays movement in our state and now is co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. Bishop Michael Curry says of the book: Barber “raises his clarion voice to amplify the cry of America’s poor, especially the invisible majority of impoverished white Americans.” The group will meet for discussion on Mondays February 24, March 24, and April 28. Contact Debbie Layman if you have interest in joining the discussions.
3rd Wednesday Women’s Book Group: This group meets the 3rd Wednesday every month at 7 p.m. at rotating homes and are having a fabulous time together along with lively discussions. The present (and continuing) reading list includes: Ordinary Grace – Krueger; Water for Elephants – Gruen; Calamity of Souls – Baldacci; The Women- Hannah; Tom Lake- Patchett; Demon Copperhead – Kingsolver. Contact Ednamae Fisher for more information or to sign up!
2nd Sunday Women’s Book Group: This group meets the 2nd Sunday every month at 2 p.m. in the Parlor. The present book is Dictionary of Lost Words, by Pip Williams. Contact Sara Smith for more information or to sign up!
Parenting the Teen Years – Monday, February 3 (First Monday of the Month), 7:00 p.m. by Zoom Don’t read the book! (Or do!) Parents are busy so we have designed a book club to fit your needs. Show up for one of these gatherings throughout the year as we share our parenting wins and woes, practices for faith formation in the home, and raising resilient youth, and grab a book to mark up and look through on your own time. Contact Courtney Stevens with questions. (See email for zoom link)
