Adult Education

Thoughtful people often have questions about God, the Bible, our Christian tradition and the world we live in.  Adult Education classes provide a place to explore a variety of issues in lectures and lively discussions. Bible Study gives us a chance to explore parts of the Bible for a deeper understanding. Book studies allow us to explore a piece of writing and discuss what we’ve learned with one of the pastors. Childcare is available in the church nursery from 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Schedule: Sundays at 9 a.m. (Seminar Room)
Nov. 1: Lutheran World Relief by Pastor Cathy Daharsh
Cathy Daharsh is an ELCA pastor and serves as Senior Advisor for Congregational Engagement with Lutheran World Relief (LWR). A former teacher and congregational pastor, she now works with congregations to connect faith and generosity with neighbors around the world. She will share about LWR, where they work, how they respond to emergencies, and how they partner with communities for lasting change. Come hear stories from around the world and learn more about the impact Grace is already making through them.

Nov. 8: Portrayals of Women from the Bible in Art by Barbara Hughes
Barbara Hughes will lead this session where she shares about her figurative ceramic sculptures and how they represent the women of the Bible. She has spent most of her career creating art as well as teaching and writing. Her sculptures are in many settings around the country, including the Cathedral Nativity, which is the official creche of the Washington National Cathedral. Her most recent work is a series of acrylic-painted posters and writing addressing the climate crisis.

Nov. 15: Hemingway and Religion by Scott Schwar
Ernest Hemingway is known for his groundbreaking writing and legendary life, but he was also a spiritual pilgrim. Brought up in an Oak Park Congregational Church, he converted to Catholicism the night he was wounded in WWI. Join us as we explore Ernest’s life and writings to see how this practicing Catholic believed and struggled while making literary history along the way.

Nov. 22: The Feast of Creation by Pastor Troy Medlin
On the first Sunday of September, Grace observed a new feast day that was called Creation in Christ Sunday. This was in response to many years of ecumenical dialogue and work towards a shared feast day throughout the church around the world to celebrate the gift of creation and our call to care for it. Come and learn more from Pastor Troy about the ecumenical roots of this feast, the ongoing work among many Christian traditions to expand its reach, as well as the theological and liturgical images this feast offers to us.