Adult Education
Women’s Weekday Opportunities
Women at the Well
Women at the Well welcomes women of all ages and stages to join us! The two groups have a different format, time and content.
The weekly group meets Wednesday mornings from 9:15-10:30am and uses a particular book chosen each semester as a guide for shared conversation, reflections, and prayer. The winter semester began on January 12 using If God is Love Don’t Be A Jerk: Finding A Faith That Makes Us Better Humans by John Pavlovitz. In this book the author helps us explores the value of spiritual communities marked by compassion and interdependence that enable us to authentically love our neighbors, especially those who are different than we are. Please let Debbie Kirk dkirk@hmpc.org know if you are planning to attend.
The monthly group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00pm (sometimes adjusted to avoid holidays etc.) and uses a podcast as the basis for discussion on topics of interest. This group typically meets over dinner in a local restaurant with meetings on Zoom if necessary. Recent podcasts have included those with Diana Butler Bass, Anne Lamott, Kate Bowler, and Bishop Michael Curry. Both groups are wonderful opportunities for women to get to know each other as we discuss the intersection of culture and faith and our own spiritual journeys. Current members are included on the distribution list, if you would like to be added let Debbie Kirk know dkirk@hmpc.org.
Men’s Weekday Opportunities
Waking Up with the Word
Waking Up with the Word is a long running bible study for men. Two Tuesdays a month it meets by ZOOM and two Tuesdays it meets in-person on the Westminster Hall Patio. The group uses an ancient bible study process called Lectio Divina. We look at the passage that will be preached on the upcoming Sunday. The study revolves around three questions:
What is a word or phrase that stands out to you?
Allow that word or phrase to develop into a memory from your life, a though on the passage or metaphor
What is Christ calling you to through the passage?
No previous bible study experience is needed. It is a great group of guys who are welcoming and wise in their comments. For our in-person meetings coffee and bibles are provided. If you have questions or would like to be added to the email distribution list, please contact Pastor Mac.
Presbyterian Pint
Presbyterian Pint will begin a six session series on Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding, Theology For Presbyterians. This study focuses on what the Reformed and Presbyterian traditions have believed in the past and ways key theological understandings matter in our Christian lives in the church today. Theological issues include the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding is a series of biblically based mini-courses that provides adults with a foundational understanding of the Reformed faith. Each six-session study--written by well-known and respected scholars--features Scripture, prayer, in-depth commentary, and questions for reflection. Each study addresses its subject from a Reformed theological perspective.
Pastor Mac has ordered the study guide. Please let him know if you’d like to participate and he will get you the study guide
Opportunities for All
Brown Bag with Pastor Mac
The first week of March, The Brown Bag Lunch group started discussing Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife by Bart D. Ehrman. Brown Bag Lunch meets once a month on the first Monday of the month. It lasts an hour. Please let Pastor Mac know if you would like to join the study.
Seeing the Word
This monthly small group comes together for bible study and discussion on the third Monday of the month. This group uses the St. John’s Illuminated Bible to discuss a scripture using a visual image.
The Saint John’s Bible is the first completely handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine abbey since the invention of the printing press. Beginning in 1970, master calligrapher Donald Jackson expressed in media interviews his lifelong dream of creating an illuminated Bible. Following a Saint John’s University-sponsored calligraphy presentation at the Newberry Library in Chicago in 1995, Jackson discussed a handwritten Bible with Fr. Eric Hollas, former executive director of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library at Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Between 1996 and 1997, Saint John’s explored the feasibility of the Bible project, Jackson created first samples, and theologians developed the illumination schema. The Saint John’s Bible was officially commissioned in 1998 and funding opportunities were launched. The public was introduced to the project in 1999 and production was completed in 2011, with the final word penned in May 2011 and touch-up work completed by December 2011.The Saint John’s Bible is divided into seven volumes and is two feet tall by three feet wide when open. The Bible is made of vellum, with 160 illuminations.
Pastor Mac has just begun looking at New Testament Illuminations with the group. If new people would like to join the group this winter/spring, all are welcome! Please contact Pastor Mac if you’d like to be added to the distribution list.
Sunday Morning Adult Education Hour | 9:30-10:20am
Everyone is invited to join us from 9:30-10:20 each Sunday morning for a variety of offerings as part of your Sabbath practice through opportunities that nurture our bodies, minds and spirits through different formats. Some are more physically active, others are through hands on experiences, some are inside, and some are outside. New this year is a designated place for silent reflection and prayer. The Adult Committee provides offerings designed to equip adults living out their faith in the world in the areas of current issues and culture; bible study; peacemaking, justice and mission; spiritual formation and practice; and reformed theology. A variety of resources including classic theological literature, current books, music, and media are used to engage us in sharing faith with one another. All are designed for adults of any age and stage in life and faith to encourage our thoughtful engagement with scripture, vigorous discussion of challenging issues, and reflective consideration of spiritual practices. Masks are required for all inside groups, they are optional for outside ones.
Gathering 1 - WH South - Adult Education Class
In this group are members of the “John Knox” and “Mixed Adults” classes along with newer members and guests. They enjoy a presentation and discussion format. This group has lively conversations based in Scripture, about various books, and using media sources that challenges us and is led by a team who will present either a series or one off topics to help explore and understand our faith in our daily life.
SPRING 2022 SCHEDULE
"What happened to the disciples after Easter morning?"
Led by Susan Grigg
Through May 29
Gathering 2 – WH North or WH Patio - Ponderings
This informal group is for all who would like to consider faith in light of contemporary issues. If you would like a place to share what challenges and opportunities you have right now and how your faith is informing your life, please join us! Topics and resources will be guided by the group and may include information (i.e., book study) and transformation as we connect with others.
SPRING 2022 SCHEDULE
"New Testament Stories from the Back Side"
Led by Gil Graybill, John James, John Oldenburg, and Fred Woodward
Through June 5
“Ponderings” is a conversation all are welcome to join any Sunday, no preparation needed. We use scripture, commentaries, and current events to frame our discussions. Gil Graybil, John James, John Oldenburg, and Fred Woodward facilitate the group. We’ll begin 2022 with the book New Testament Stories from the Back Side in which J. Ellsworth Kalas offers fresh insight into Biblical stories by considering them from the perspective of a minor or unsympathetic
character. We hope you will explore them with us.
Gathering 3 Parlor - Silent Reflection and Prayer
The holiday season is tender place for many of us and especially during this time for those who need a quiet space to be still and mindful the Parlor is available. Suggestions of ways to use the space are provided using Words to Build On: Words of Scripture for Remembrance and Reflection and guides for personal prayer. The opportunity to light a candle as a symbol of the light of Christ and or in memory or honor of someone is available and you may just sit quietly and pray if you would like. In order to keep the sanctity of the space the room is not for visiting.
Gathering 4 - Room 200 - Sacred Creations
“Sacred Creations” is offered occasionally. where we will be engaging in various creative pursuits as a means of personal worship and sacred self-expression.
Gathering 5 – Labyrinth
Self-Guided Labyrinth Walking Meditations Another outside option that will require social distancing but not masks will be a self-guided Labyrinth Meditation option. A guide to walking meditations and suggested material for reflection and some Sundays tokens of focus to carry on your journey will be available at the Labyrinth on or in front of the Welcome Box.
