Spiritual Growth Opportunities
More Than a Fish - Responding to a World in Need
Our world is in trouble. Homelessness, hunger, poverty, violence, war, racism, environmental crisis, greed, domination, sustainable agriculture, global health emergencies, and corruption in high places are a few of the issues that confront us. Unfortunately, guilt, powerlessness, and fear are three dragons that paralyze the church in its efforts to move beyond a surface-level kind of charity. We may end up with more questions than answers as we move beyond our comfort zones, but God’s people are called to believe that things can be different and that with God we are not powerless. This three-part series will take place after worship in October. Registration will begin mid-September. Contact Pastor Jim with questions – jim@good.org.
The Two Roads to Bethlehem - Journeying to the Christ Child
This Advent season, you will be invited to take a deeper dive into the birth accounts of Jesus. You might think that there is only one coherent version of Jesus’ birth, essentially one road to Bethlehem. Sorry, but you would be wrong! Our Gospels record quite different accounts of our Messiah’s birth. This season we will savor the unique story that each one tells, and then you can choose the road that speaks most deeply to your soul. Sign-ups will take place in November.
Small Group Book Series
Small Group Leader Serena Steffenhagen will offer a two-book series for small group discussion this fall. The first book, Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times by Bishop Michael Curry, was the 2021 Lenten study from the Minnesota Annual Conference. “This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need in order to live the way of love: deep reservoirs of hope and resilience, simple wisdom, the discipline of nonviolence, and unshakable regard for human dignity.”
The second book, Healing the Heart of Democracy (updated edition) by Parker J. Palmer, will follow. Palmer explores “5 habits of the heart” and ways to nurture an understanding that we’re all in this together, an appreciation of the value of “otherness”, an ability to hold tension in life-giving ways, a sense of personal voice and agency, and a capacity to create community.
Join us in a small group in the Lower Lobby:
- Every Thursday morning from 10:00-11:00 a.m. beginning September 10 OR
- 1st & 3rd Monday of the month, 6:30-7:30 p.m. beginning September 21
If you are planning to attend one of the small groups, please read the Introduction and chapters 1 and 2 of Love is the Way before the first gathering time. Please contact Serena at serena@good.org with any questions.