I. Sunday Lecture Series

All lectures will take place at 11:45, after worship in the Chapel. A light lunch will be served.

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January 11th: Raised Catholic: Being Catholic in the UCC

Churches in the United Church of Christ are blessed to include members from a wide diversity of faith backgrounds, Christian and otherwise. And in some UCC congregations, as many as 40% of newer members have been raised in the Roman Catholic tradition. Join our Senior Minister the Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel as she addresses the issues that former Catholics may struggle with upon their entry into the UCC, such as the significance of Communion, liturgical differences, and even aesthetics. And even if you’ve never set foot in a Catholic Church, then you are invited to attend so that we all may better understand those whom we welcome into our midst.

 

January 18th & 25th: Excursions to the Border of Religious Tolerance

In the United Church of Christ, we consider ourselves to be open-minded and accepting of religious faith that differs from our own. But where does one draw the line? In this two-week series, Rev. Seth Ethan Carey will explore a variety of faith traditions that lie on the border between organized religion and fanaticism. We will explore non-Christian systems such as Haitian Voodoo, Scientology, and the Church of Satan, as well as a variety of radical Christian sects in America, all the while considering if religious tolerance is a universal virtue.

February 8th: Adam & Steve: Legal & Religious Perspectives on Same Sex Marriage

In this timely exploration of the interplay between religion and government, Rev. Seth Ethan Carey and her Honor Judge Linda Davenport will explore the religious and legal implications of homosexual marriage, respectively. Arguments for and against gay marriage will be discussed. As part of our process of becoming an Open & Affirming congregation, participants are welcome to bring their own questions and concerns to the table

February 15th: Biblical Interpretation & the Homosexuality Debates

Those who believe that homosexuality is not a choice sometimes find themselves unable to respond to Biblical prohibitions against “lying with another man as with a woman.” (Leviticus 18:22) In this thoughtful exploration of biblical texts, professor and Bible scholar Dr. Ken Stone of Chicago Theological Seminary will help us to unravel the historical context of these passages, and the true meaning within them. 

February 22nd: God is Love: Theological Reflections on Sexuality

It’s no secret that throughout history, the Church has presented a restrictive and often warped view of human sexuality. Moving the discussion beyond homosexuality in particular, professor and theologian Dr. Laurel Schneider will consider why understanding sexuality in general has often been such a problem for Christians, in spite of the familiar pronouncement that “God is love.”

March 1st: War of the Roses: A Panel on the Challenges of Marriage

In this panel on the joys and challenges of marriage, professionals who work with couples in crisis will share their experience in working with couples. They will speak to the various issues that they see most frequently in their work, and what might be done to address them. The difference between normal conflict and unhealthy behavior will also be discussed.

March 15th: What Would Patrick Do? Christianity & Politics in Northern Ireland

This St. Patricks Day, explore the confict between Catholics and Protestants in northern Ireland. FCCGE Seminary Intern Mark Winters has spent time in the North of Ireland, both as a student and as a community volunteer. He has had personal conversations with numerous religious leaders on both sides of the conflict, and has lived and worked in communities out of which some of the political violence has come. As we celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the United States, come to hear Mark talk about what 'Irishness' means in regard to the social, political and religious situation in Northern Ireland.

April 19th, 26th, & May 3rd: The Trials of Time: Coping with an Aging Mind

As each of us grows older, we find ourselves forced to contend with an ever-growing number of physical and mental challenges. In this three-week series, Parish Nurse Leslie Wheeler, R.N.  and Alzheimer’s expert Patti Terkovich of Arden Courts will instruct participants how to distinguish between the normal processes of aging and serious medical conditions such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Also, she will share methods for building muscles in the brain that can help to prevent or postpone the effects of such dehibiltating illnesses

II. Lenten Pastor's Class

All Pastor's sessions will take place at 6:00pm in the Chapel.

March 11th, 18th, & 25th: Best Friends Forever: A Pastor's Reflection on Friendship

The bookshelves are full of advice on romance, marriage, and dating—but what about friendship? Join our Senior Minister the Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel as she explores scripture, philosophy, literature, and pop culture in this examination of what it means to be a friend. We will ask questions that go beyond sentimentality, in the hope that we will come out of the course with a deeper appreciation of friendship as a gift.  In our discussion we will cover such topics as unexpected friendships, friendships between men and women, destructive friendships, and why some friendships end while others last.

III. Bible Study

Ever wish that you could dive into the Bible, understand it better and see how it pertains to your own life? Then check out AMEN: A Men's Bible Study, which meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Chapel.

IV. Small Groups

The Faith Forum meets on Sunday mornings, at 9:00 a.m. in the Parlor, where they discuss a variety of current issues as well as biblical interpretations. The group has had as many opinions as participants.

Sisters on a Sojourn meets in designated member's homes. This group of women gathers at 9:15 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Discussion is based on a book that is purchased by everyone in the group.

The Guy's Groop is a men's group that meets on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room. The topics are pre-selected based upon the interests and suggestions of the group, and vary widely from meeting to meeting. Most sessions relate in some tangential way to development of expression of individual spirituality or one's personal faith journey, to current events topics or issues as they impact our personal or our church's manifestation of faith, or to some totally non-religious topic that just seems to strike someone's fancy.

Moms & Psalms is a group of mothers with young children who gather from 9:15-10:45 a.m. on the 1st & 3rd Fridays in the Parlor. Childcare is provided for a small fee. The group selects a book, which everyone purchases, and then gathers to explore their faith in open and lively discussion and fellowship.