Adult Education
FAITH FORMATION & SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Women's Groups
Men's Groups
Opportunities for All
Sunday Morning Adult Education
Women’s Weekday Opportunities
Women at the Well
Morning Weekly Group and Evening Monthly Group
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 monthly group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00pm (sometimes the third Thursday to avoid holidays) and uses a podcast as the basis for discussion on various topics. 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.
The next session of the weekly Women at the Well begins January 10 in the season of Epiphany. Our book for the winter semester is Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by author Katherine May. She lifts up enchantment, or wonder, as an antidote to this age of fear and anxiety which is a fitting lens through which to see the New Year will all of its possibilities. And when many of us may experience a let down after the holiday season, Epiphany reminds us that our journeys are always unfolding as we retell the ancient story of the first visitors to find Christ. If you are not a current participant and would like to join contact Debbie Kirk. Cost is $12.00 if we purchase the book for you. The deadline for the book order is December 27.
The Weekly Group
Weekly Women at the Well weekly group meets Wednesdays at 9:15am in the Chapel, and offers a hybrid in-person/Zoom format. Our book selection is Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin. In Life in Five Senses, the author invites us to get reacquainted with our five senses in order to pay closer attention to the exterior world all around us, where we encounter God and glimpse the transcendent.
The Monthly Group
The monthly group meets at 6pm the third Thursday of every month.
If you would like to be added to the email list, 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
Men of the church are welcome to join us for fellowship and faith in a friendly environment! We typically meet the third Thursday of every month at 7:00pm at various locations. We discuss relevant questions of theology and culture. All men of any age and stage of life are welcome! Contact Pastor Mac to be added to the distribution list.
Opportunities for All
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 fall/winter, all are welcome! Please contact Pastor Mac if you’d like to be added to the distribution list.
THE GATHERING
WINTER/SPRING 2024 SCHEDULE
Sunday Morning Adult Education
9:00-10:20am
Everyone is invited to join us 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. 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, stage in life, and faith to encourage our thoughtful engagement with scripture, vigorous discussion of challenging issues, and reflective consideration of spiritual practices.
The Nine O'Clock Class
9:00-10:00am | Room 200
Facilitated by Susan Bradshaw and other Sunday School teachers
This class is especially for those who have commitments preparing for worship at 10:00am, and others who would like a full hour of study, conversation, and worship. We use a variety of media and hands-on materials, often viewing a documentary and having a discussion afterwards. Just come in. Sit at the table. Listen, chat. There is a place for you!
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Presbyterian Ponderings
9:30-10:20am | Westminster North
Facilitated by Fred Woodward, John Oldenburg,
John James, Gil Graybill
This discussion based class is using The Present Word Bible Study for Winter 2024. We will explore a 13-week unit of The Present Word, titled "Faith That Pleases God." No advance preparation required, only a heart for the Biblical narrative, excitement about exploring it through your particular lens of life and faith, and willingness to share with others.
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The Seekers
9:30-10:20am | Westminster South
Facilitated by various Sunday School teachers
A presentation/discussion based class exploring a variety of topics about history, current events, science and scripture. All are welcome!
February 18, First Sunday in Lent and February 24, Pastor Debbie Kirk will lead our Lenten study, "Illuminating Lent" by Donald K. McKim.
March 3 through March 24, Jimmy Hulsey will continue our Lenten study, "Illuminating Lent".
March 31, Easter, no class meeting
April 7 - 14, "Violence and Faith" led by Ron Ash - Violence in many forms is pervasive in our society. This class will examine the prevalence of violence in the Bible and how it is used by some to influence the behavior of church-going people. The impact of violence on Christians will also be discussed.
April 21 "Inspiration" - Biblical and non-biblical sources of inspiration which help shape our lives will be discussed. Those attending are encouraged to share personal stories of inspiration (persons or events, scriptures).