ADULTS
Educational
Opportunities Social Opportunities
Adult Opportunites at Spirit of Peace
"Have patience with everything
unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Don't search
for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be
able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions
now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even
noticing it, live your way into the answer." -Rainer Maria Rilke
The Adult Education Program provides a rich environment
where members and friends meet and learn together through a variety of
opportunities in addition to our regular Sunday morning adult gathering.
Other opportunities include monthly afternoon theology study, evening classes
on a variety of subjects, workshops, guest speakers, video lectures, and group
discussions. Adult education focuses on five main areas:
1.
UCC History and Heritage
2.
Theology, Bible Study, Ethics
3.
Current Social Issues
4.
Personal Spiritual Development
5.
Family Enrichment
A variety of social groups also helps create community, as
freindships form and spiritual growth is supported.
Below you will find a brief description of some of the
educational and social opportunities at Spirit of Peace
Adult Forum
This group meets during
the Education Hour from 9-10 a.m. Sundays during the school year. We frequently
bring in special speakers and discuss a wide variety of subjects, including
current events and ethical living. This group is lively and diverse. Some
adults visit occasionally, and others are regular. There are no special
requirements to join this group. Please join us whenever you can!
Book Group
Spirit of Peace's book group meets monthly during the school year.
Participants choose their own book-of-the-month, which they read and then gather
to discuss. They read a wide variety of books, including excellent fiction.
Meeting night has varied; check the calendar link. There are no special
requirements to join this group, and all are welcome.
Explore Progressive Theology Study Group
This group gathers monthly to discuss challenging, cutting-edge theology.
Sometimes the group listens to a lecture by video. A sampling of lecturers
includes Karen Armstrong, Marcus Borg, Joan Chittister, Seyyed Hossein Nasr,
Lawrence Kushner and Diana Eck. Sometimes the group reads and discusses books,
a section at a time. Two of the books we have recently used are "The Heart
of Christianity" by Marcus Borg and "Jesus for the
Non-Religious" by John Spong. This is an intellectually challenging group
which includes friends from other churches in the community. All are welcome!
Social Opportunities
Women Caring for Women
Women Caring for Women is a new program designed to help
busy women find time to relax, visit, rejuvenate and feel nurtured. They
are treated to breakfast and a brief, helpful program one Saturday a month, as
announced. All women are welcome. Women Caring
for Women will gather on three Saturdays in the fall and three or four
Saturdays in the winter/spring semester.
Reel Issues Movie Group
On one Sunday evening each month, this group gathers to watch and discuss a
video. They often take on edgy, controversial issues and adult themes.
Adults of all ages are welcome to drop in to watch the movie and enjoy
discussion afterward. Watch the bulletin for announcements of movie
selection, time and date.
Men's Fellowship
This is a new group informally gathering on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. The
emphasis is on strengthening relationships by sharing a meal or activity. They
enjoy a wide variety of activities including playing cards, golf, fishing,
serving pancake breakfasts and more. All men (all ages) are welcome. Watch the
calendar for special activities for this group.
Women's Fellowship
Women’s Fellowship meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 1 pm at the
church, except during the summer months when they meet at various local
restaurants for lunch. During the school year their meetings include emphases
on fellowship, service, fundraising and Bible study. They sponsor two huge
rummage sales every year and support a wide variety of mission outreach
projects, as well as church needs. The Women’s Fellowship supports bereaved
families by preparing and serving meals at funerals, and they support the
congregation by serving meals on special occasions as well. All women (all
ages) are welcome!
Koinonia
Koinonia is a social group for adults and provides for
various social gatherings. Some of their activites include game night at
church, attending plays or other area events, barbecues and other gatherings in
member's homes. Koinonia meets as announced, usually monthly. Most of its
members are middle-aged and older but all ages are welcome.