Christian faith is a lifelong journey. God’s not done with you yet.
First United’s Adult Education program offers insight, growth, and fellowship with classes, workshops, intimate discussions, and presentations and lectures by leading scholars. Topics range from church history to current events to race relations to international issues, and always include a biblical perspective. Sometimes a series of classes is scheduled on specific topics that lend themselves to in-depth study. Adult ed is a ministry that drives learning, deepens faith, and wrestles with the relationship between God’s world and the human world.
Sunday Morning Speaker Series
Classes meet at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays from September through late May. Bring your whole self, including your questions, your doubts, and a sense of humor. For more information on any adult education programs, contact Lydia Mulkey, Associate Pastor of Education ([email protected]), 708-386-5215 (ext. 103). (Note: These classes will resume after the church reopens.)
Bible Study and Small Groups
Monday Night Bible Study: 6-7:30 p.m. in the Library.
Wednesday Small Group: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Conference Room.
For information on other Bible studies and small groups, contact Lydia Mulkey. (Note: These will resume after the church reopens or are being held over Zoom.)
Introduction to Systemic Racism
Alicia Reese will lead a four-session series on systemic racism continuing throughout Lent. The series is adapted from a one-day workshop offered by Chicago Regional Organizing for Anti-Racism, or CROAR, and Crossroads, in which Alicia is being trained to facilitate. The program includes:
- Session 1: What is Systemic Racism?
- Session 2: Center/Borderlands
- Session 3: Institutional Complicity and Change
- Session 4: Anti-Racism
The series needs a minimum of eight people who are willing to sign up for all sessions, and attendance will be capped at 15. If there’s enough interest, we may be able to add a second session. This series will go hand in hand with the Lenten series, “The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions.”
Interested participants can enroll at this SignUpGenius link. The first session is full and already has started, but you can contact Alicia, who will form a second group if enough are interested. You can learn more about Crossroads and CROAR at their websites.
Next Steps in Working Toward Anti-Racism
A new Adult Ed offering focuses on the next steps in the journey to becoming an anti-racist community. “The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Intentions: Common Pitfalls in Anti-Racist Work” will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays via Zoom from Feb. 22 through March 29.
All are welcome, but we encourage you to come with a foundational understanding of racism. Some ways to prepare for this course would be to have taken “White Privilege” or “Introduction to Systemic Racism” here at First United, or to read How to Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi or White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo.
Sessions will be led by various clergy from the United Church of Christ from throughout the country. You can register for the class via this SignUp Genius link. Any questions can be directed to Lydia Mulkey ([email protected]).
