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 begins the fall schedule in September and welcomes women of all ages and stages to join us! There are two groups, each with different format, time and content. 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
The weekly group meets Wednesday morning from 9:15-10:30am and uses a particular book chosen each semester as a guide for shared conversation, reflections, and prayer. This group offers a hybrid format and will be using the book Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans for the fall semester. Conversations will cover our longing for spiritual wholeness found in the church and in other places as we experience the grace and love of God. We have already ordered for the group, but you may still purchase the book on your own.
The Monthly Group
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 topics of interest. Participants will receive podcast information a week before each meeting. To be added to the distribution list, email dkirk@hmpc.org
Remaining 2022 Dates: November 17, December 15
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.
Beginning January 26th The Presbyterian Pint will begin reading and discussing Adam’s Return: The Five Promises of Male Initiation by Richard Rohr. Buy the book on your own. Read the first 4 chapters prior to our gathering (through p.34). Join us!
Opportunities for All
Brown Bag with Pastor Mac
Last spring, The Brown Bag Lunch group started discussing Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife by Bart D. Ehrman. The next series will begin when Pastor Mac returns from sabbatical at the end of October - It will focus on the book A Pilgrimage to Eternity by Timothy Egan.
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
9:00-10:20am
THE GATHERING
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 and stage in life and faith to encourage our thoughtful engagement with scripture, vigorous discussion of challenging issues, and reflective consideration of spiritual practices.
Nine O'Clock Class
9:00-10:00am | Room 200
Join us as we explore different pilgrimages around the world.
Presbyterian Ponderings
9:30-10:20am | WH North
From a Presbyterian perspective, we will look deeply at big concepts of our faith such as Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church, and Salvation. Each week's discussion is stand-alone, with no advance prep or reading required. Come join us for fellowship and good conversation!
ADULT EDUCATION ADVENT SERIES
The Seekers
9:30-10:20am | WH South
November 27
"COME WAIT WITH US* THIS SUNDAY!"
Roger Howard will lead the Seekers
as we kick off our 2022 Advent theme: "WAITING"
* includes the 7 Greatest “Waiters" in the
Old and New Testaments!
December 4
"THE CAROLS OF CHRISTMAS"
The intriguing history of four beloved Christmas Carols will be told.
Advent devotions inspired by these carols will be offered.
December 11
Using Holy Disruption: Discovering Advent in the Gospel of Mark by Tracy S. Daub, the Seekers will be reading selected scripture from Mark and looking for the amazing and joyous message of waiting for Emmanuel, God with us, during Advent. Discussion will center around what difference the Incarnation makes in our lives, and where we see evidence of God's love in our lives and in the world.
MAC'S SABBATICAL FORUMS
STORIES, INSIGHTS AND WONDER ALONG THE VIA FRANCIGENA
Sunday, January 8th & 15th
9:00am | WH North
As we kick off the new year, please join Pastor Mac as he share stories and insights from his sabbatical. Mac visited Reformation sites in Germany and Switzerland via train and then put on his walking shoes walked approximately 1200 kms along the Via Francigena. The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrims route. that goes from Canterbury, England all the way to Rome, Italy. Mac picked up the path in Lausanne, Switzerland.