Adult Spiritual Growth Offerings

Rereading Paul: Examining Our Relationship with Paul and His Message

Sundays, January 4 through March 22, at 9:15am. Meet in South Hall.

A full 13 of the 27 books of the Christian Testament are attributed to Paul. Those works have had and continue to have a profound effect on our faith, our church and our concept of God. This winter we will study three of those books: First Thessalonians (perhaps the oldest work in our Christian canon), Second Thessalonians, and Titus.

We will dive into Paul’s messages to an early church and the instruction of an early companion, examine Paul’s evangelism, and crack open the question of how each of us takes in and incorporates Paul’s words into our present life. We also will explore the authorship of these works and what that means to our understanding of Scripture. All are welcome! Facilitated by Tom Zych and Kathryn Eloff.

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She Is Called: Women of the Bible

Sundays, February 1 through February 22, at 9:15am. Meet in Fellowship Hall on February 1. Meet in Jin Room all other weeks.

In celebrating Black History Month, the Adult Spiritual Growth Ministry is offering a study of Black women of the Bible, as presented by Black theologians in the study entitled “She Is Called: Women of the Bible.” A brief consideration of womanist theology (liberation theology through the lens of Black women) perspective will be shared for context.

Each week’s facilitator will provide the frame for the reading and lead us on rich discussion. No need to purchase a book as a link and reading materials will be provided each week. The women to be discussed are Hagar – Feb 1; Abigail – Feb 8; Zipporah – Feb 15; and Shipparah – Feb 22.

We hope you will be able to join us for all or some of the discussions on these important, but generally unknown women. Come to learn how they contributed their unique faith, talents and gifts to the early Christian community. And explore how our own gifts can be developed and used in the service of our faith journey. All are welcome to join us.

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Hard and Holy Work: A Lenten Journey through the Book of Exodus

Sundays, March 1 through March 29, at 9:15am. Meet in Fellowship Hall.

Do you want to more fully understand how to integrate your personal spiritual life more actively with your engagement in working for justice and the liberation of the oppressed and marginalized? Would you like to become more spiritually awake?

Hard and Holy Work by Mary Alice Birdwhistell and Tyler Mayfield provides a space for just that. Lent is traditionally a time of self-reflection and action that prepares followers of Christ to walk more intentionally in the way of God. In this unique Lenten study, we explore and increase our understanding about how God sees those who are marginalized or suffering and how we can work with them as allies in solidarity. We are also called to contemplate how privilege, fear, risk, and feelings of uncertainty can cloud our attention. The book is available both in paperback and eBook format.

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The Power of Choice as We Age

Sundays, March 1, 15, and 29, at 12:15pm. Meet in South Hall or Fellowship Hall.

The Deacons and the Adult Spiritual Growth Ministry are collaborating on a three-part series. Three professionals will help us understand the choices we have as we age. A light lunch will be provided. The speakers we have lined up for this important topic are all from Forest Hill Church!

March 1 – Senior care, senior communities and skilled care facilities
A 50-year church member, Linn Obery, will be speaking on the topics of senior care, senior communities and skilled care facilities. He will explain what to look for in choosing a new living arrangement and how to determine the best fit at a new place.

Register for March 1

March 15 – End-of-life care organizing
Bill Finn will be offering his expertise as the President and CEO of Hospice of the Western Reserve since February 2011. He brings a wealth of knowledge about end-of-life care organizations. He will address how to talk with your loved ones about this difficult topic, how to organize important paperwork, how to make important decisions. He will bring packets of information on making decisions on end-of-life directives.

Register for March 15

March 29 – Interactive workshop on aging, faith, grief, vocation, and purpose
Sally Wile will be presenting an interactive, faith-based workshop. Drawing on the wisdom of Joan Chittister, Richard Rohr, and Mary Morrison, and sharing the collective wisdom of those attending the class, we will talk about aging and faith, grief, vocation, and purpose.

Register for March 29

Meaningful Conversations: Listening with the Heart of Christ to Build and Restore Relationships

Saturday, March 21, at 9:00am-1:00pm. Meet in Bodwell Hall.

Through an interactive workshop, the sessions will guide us in deepening our listening and communication skills to build relationships through safe and nourishing conversations with family, neighbors, and friends. To truly build or mend relationships, we must foster an environment where love, respect and dignity can thrive.

• Learn how to achieve reconciliation through the practice of understanding and forgiveness.
• Learn how to reflect love and grace in our dialogue with others.
• Learn how to listen to others as if God is speaking to us, through them.
• Experience getting to know other people through sharing stories.
• Discover accessible tools for getting a whole group to feel connected.

Come join us as we explore practices of active listening and respectful discussion that encourage mutual respect without expecting agreement. Light refreshments will be provided.

Register by March 16

Contemplative Scripture Study

Sunday, January 11, at 4pm in the Chapel. More 2026 dates TBD.

All are welcome to join us for a contemplative study of the lectionary (scripture readings for the week) and community prayer.

Create community through collective reading and inquiry of lectionary passages followed by periods of silence to explore the personal significance of the passage. We have the opportunity to share with our small group the way we are called to bring this message into our life. After this we pray for each other.

This is a deeply meaningful way to bring scripture into our lives and make deep connections with each other.

Contact Valeria Stutz or Jennifer Blakeney with any questions.

Bibles and Bagels

Wednesday mornings, 7:30am. Meet virtually most weeks, in person in the Jin Room one week per month.

Participants meet for coffee and bagels and a lively discussion of the upcoming lectionary passage. There’s nothing to read ahead of time. Drop-ins welcome!

Register