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
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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 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 fall dates are September 28, October 19, November 16, and December 7 at 6:00pm at Vivo Ristorante.
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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.
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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.
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Opportunities for All
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Seeing The Word
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​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
FALL SCHEDULE​
Sunday Morning Adult Education
9:00-10:20am
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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.
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The Nine O'Clock Class
9:00-10:00am | Room 200
Facilitated by Susan Bradshaw
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 begin the fall semester with sharing "Reflections of Summer” and participants are invited to bring a picture of something found in nature, a special find, or a memory of summers past. Perhaps you spent time with family, friends, or had your own time to regroup after a busy spring. You may have been in treatment or recovery, or supporting someone who was. Many of you may have been with grandchildren, and lots of us have precious memories of our own childhood with grandparents. The summer may have held a transition such as a move, retirement, relocation, or change in your household. You may have had time for retreat or travel. Whatever the summer held for you we invite you to join us. Just come in. Sit at the table. Listen, chat. There is a place for you.
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 as a guide to engage the topic “God's Law is Love”, a New Testament thematic study with scripture from Luke, John, Romans, Galatians, Acts and 1 Corinthians. 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.
The Seekers
9:30-10:20am | Westminster South
September: “Foods Mentioned in the Bible, What did Jesus Eat?”
The Seekers have a wonderful fall planned with a variety of topics and leadership. We will kick off the fall exploring the topic: “Foods Mentioned in the Bible, What did Jesus Eat?” We will be guided by several resources: Food at the Time of the Bible by Miriam Vamosh, What Did the Ancient Israelites Eat? by Nathan MacDonald, The Food and Feasts of Jesus by Douglas Neel and Joel Pugh, and Scripture. Led by Susan Grigg, we will see what role food played in the history of the people of the Bible and how Jesus used food in his ministry. We may even taste some of the dishes we enjoy today that could have been eaten by the disciples!
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October 1 &8 : "Poetry in the Bible"
Facilitated by Roger Howard
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October 15, 22, 29: "HOW WE UNDERSTAND PRAYER AND PERHAPS A FRESH PERSPECTIVE"
Sometimes questions about prayer lurk in our minds. These are not only, how do we pray, but more, why pray or what does prayer accomplish? Though we continue to pray as we continue to breathe, addressing our questions may offer a clarifying perspective, even free our hearts and minds a bit.
For three Sundays in October (15, 22, 29 at 9:30am), the Seekers Class, led by Rev. Jimmy Hulsey, will discuss perspectives on prayer. All are welcome and to get us going, I invite us to read in advance, Matthew 7: 7-12; Luke 11: 1-13 and Ephesians 3: 14-21.
Also, I am intrigued by this old definition of prayer, “keeping company with God.” Let it simmer and then let’s ask ourselves, ‘does that sound familiar to us or is it a bit different take on prayer?’ In addition to our other fall classes at the Gathering, I look forward to seeing you in class on October 15, 22, and 29. - Jimmy Hulsey
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