Adult Education

ENGAGE:  This adult Bible study and discussion group meets each Sunday before worship at 9:00am in the Library Lounge.  Class begins October 12, 2008.

Living the Questions:  This exciting small group study combines meals, fellowship, DVD presentations, and probing questions to stimulate interesting and meaningful conversations.  Groups meet in someone’s home and are led by a trained volunteer.  You can sign-up by contacting Pastor Stephanie Perdew.  The LTQ 2008-2009 Organizational Dinner and Meeting is Sunday, September 28, 6:30pm in the Small Dining Room.

New this Year!  Theology on Tap with Adam Ericksen: This new discussion group assembles in the Small Dining Room with snacks and beverages.  Bring your biggest theological questions and engage in fun discussion guided by our Youth Minister, Adam Ericksen.  Mondays, October 6, November 3, December 8, January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6 and May 4, 8:00-9:30pm

Learning with Congregation Sukkat Shalom

For 2008, First Congregational Church and Congregation Sukkat Shalom are offering two opportunities for learning: a joint class meeting over the course of four Thursday evenings, and our traditional guest scholar program in November, featuring James Carroll.  Members and visitors alike are welcome to attend.

Joint Class
Celebrating Sabbath in our Two Traditions will be taught by Rabbi Sam Gordon and Pastor Stephanie Perdew on Thursday evenings, October 30, November 6, 13, and 20, 2008 at 7:30pm in the Library Lounge.

As part of this class we join with our friends at CSS to celebrate the Sabbath during their Friday Nov. 14 worship.  Bring a dish to share (no ham or bacon products).  Dinner will be followed by a music-filled service and reflections by Pastor Perdew and Rabbi Gordon.  Sabbath is a gift we all share together.  6:30pm Friday November 14.

Guest Scholar: James Carroll
The noted author of Constantine’s Sword: the Church and the Jews, James Carroll, returns for his third visit to our congregations:

• Sunday, November 2, 6:30pm – potluck and introduction to the work of James Carroll, led by Rabbi Gordon and Pastor Perdew.

• Sunday, November 9, 7:00pm – A Close Look at the Current State of Religion and Politics in the Country, a public lecture by James Carroll, in the Sanctuary followed by reception in Pilgrim Hall.

Carroll’s newest book, House of War: the Pentagon and the Disastrous Rise of American Power, is the 2006 winner of the PEN-Galbraith Award for distinguished work of non-fiction. 

Mr. Carroll’s appearance is jointly sponsored by FCCW, Congregation Sukkat Shalom and the Raven Foundation.

Just for Men:

The Men’s Group, led by Rev. David Hogue, will meet on Mondays at Hackney’s Restaurant on Lake Avenue in Glenview, 7:00 p.m.  Please RSVP to Keith Ross dkeithr1979@aol.com.   

The meeting calendar for the year:

• September 15 
• October 20    
• November 17   
• (No December meeting)                       
• January 26    
• February 23
• March 16
• April 20
• May 18

Men’s Ski Retreat takes place January 15-18, 2009 at the home of Keith Ross in Heber City, Utah. Park City and Deer Valley ski resorts are nearby.  For information, contact Keith Ross.

Just for Women:

Mary Suppers
Tuesdays September 23, October 28, November 25, December 9 (Advent Service), January 27, February 24, and April 7 (Bethany Tuesday Holy Week service), 6:30pm in Pilgrim Hall.  In the gospel of Luke we read that Mary sat and spoke with Jesus while her sister Martha was distracted with much serving.  There is a little Mary and Martha in each of us—we all need a chance to sit, relax and converse together.  Mary Suppers include a simple meal, followed by a conversation and a worship service in Pilgrim Hall.  Volunteer to help with a meal by contacting Pastor Stephanie Perdew.

Sacred Circle Women’s Bible Study
We meet each Tuesday morning beginning January 13, 2009, 9:00am in the Library to read the scripture readings for the coming Sunday from the cycle of readings called the Revised Common Lectionary.  Through prayer, meditation, and conversation, we allow the scriptures to speak to our own experiences.

First Congregational/Congregation Sukkat Shalom Women’s Program:
TuB'Shvat Seder  February 9th, 2009  7:00pm
This is a Jewish holiday which marks the planting of the seeds in the spring (in February, it is already spring in Israel).  Anticipate spring and give thanks for the bounty and blessing of God’s creation at this ritual meal with sisters from Congregation Sukkat Shalom.  Program led by Rabbi Ari Poster Moffic of CSS and Pastor Stephanie Perdew of FCCW.

Women’s Retreat, February 21-22 –location and program to be announced. 

(Please see Our Church & Upcoming Events for schedule changes and/or updates.)