As we approach the start of the fall, we’re excited to offer a number of educational opportunities for adults.
A brochure has been sent to all SPD households featuring these offerings, which includes:
- a course on mourning, led by Pastor Strand Patterson
- conversations about the faith stories of our four pastors in October
- an introduction to C.S. Lewis in November; ongoing Holy Grounds devotion and study sessions
- a Spiritual Growth Workshop about eliminating hurry from our lives
- and two retreat opportunities for women in October and November.
In addition to these courses and conversations, we are also excited to be part of a cohort of twelve churches from across the country for a series on Tuesday evenings this fall led by Dr. Allen Hilton. Dr. Hilton, a professor and pastor who has taught at Yale, is the founder of a non-profit called House United, committed to helping to bring people together from different perspectives for the common good.
During a contentious and polarizing election cycle, Dr. Hilton will help us to celebrate our unity amid differences with other Christians from around the country, reminding us that these differences should be an asset, not a threat. He will lead and guide us as we move toward our neighbors to help us flourish with our families, our churches and our communities.
Dr. Hilton was a speaker from last year’s Faith & Life Series with his talk on “Faith & Polarization: Surviving and Thriving in a House Divided” (find it at: rb.gy/fk1n6z). We commend this talk to you if you are interested in getting a sense of Dr. Hilton’s approach and tone, and encourage you to join us for the kick-off event for this series on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.
With you, we celebrate all of the opportunities we have to learn and grow together this fall, and we look forward to seeing you at these and other events as we begin the program year.