The goal of adult ministry is to form mature disciples of Jesus Christ in word and in deed. Through a variety of classes that incorporate a diversity of learning styles, adults at Idlewild come to know Christ’s love, peace, and justice through study of scripture, spiritual practice, literature, fellowship, and critical engagement with contemporary issues. At Idlewild, the questions are as important as the answers, and faith is understood as a lifelong journey.
Adult classes welcome all adults. For info on any of them, please contact The Rev. Sara Dorrien Christians, at sdorrien@idlewildchurch.org or 726-4681, ext 242.
Sunday Morning Classes, 9:40 -10:40 a.m.
November 22
Idlewild’s Racial Roadmap: A Congregational Forum
Join via Zoom (Wednesday Session)
No Longer Strangers Immigration Announcement Event at 5:00 p.m.Join us via zoom for the announcement and explanation of a new outreach ministry, as approved by the Outreach Leadership Team and Session.
This event is the culmination of a year-long discerment process on immigration and what a faithful adn effective immigration ministry would be.
Looking Inward, Moving Forward: An Anti-Racism Journey: NOV29/DEC 2 Racism in Education Part 1 with Dr. Aixa Marchand
Join via Zoom (Sunday session).
Join via Zoom (Wednesday session).
This study begins with the question, “How is my racial identity shaped and reshaped by the history I have learned and the circumstances I have encountered in my life?” From there it moves into conversation with our racial identity, and finally, how we are called to act as Christians shaped by repentance and the freedom to love our neighbors as ourselves. What does that look like at Idlewild?
Faith and Function — Ancient Texts For Today’s Questions
Join via Zoom.
NOV 29 Class will not meet.
DEC 6-13: Taking Up the Cross continues with the Rev. Dr. Jim McClanahan, retired pastor and former professor of religious studies, King College.
This series will examine many of the main ideas employed by Jesus and the New Testament writers to encourage us in Christian living.
Increasingly, we have heard reference made to cataclysmic events being of “biblical proportions”–be they the global pandemic, economic collapse, hurricanes, deadly heat waves or locusts in East Africa. While there may be some truth in this, we know as Christians that love and hope can also be “of biblical proportions.” This fall, the Faith and Function class will explore those biblical stories of both great loss and renewed life, examining what they meant not only thousands of years ago but also what they mean in this time and place. Biblical scholars lead the class each week. See the full semester’s plan.
Conveners: Rick Baker, Daniel Edwards, Judy Holland, Julie Markham, Mary Edith Walker
Praying with the PsalmsAccess the podcast here.
The Psalms are a collection of prayers that give us language to express a wide range of human emotions. The contemplative prayer class would typically meet in-person on Sunday mornings. While the church continues to meet virtually, they continue to hold silence together, guided by the podcast which is typically updated every Thursday.
Facilitator: Anne Bradley Thomas
Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
Tuesdays from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Click here to join via Zoom.
Study: N.T. Wright’s Book of Acts.
Convener: Ted Mealor
Thursday Morning Bible Study
September 24 – October 29
Join via Zoom.
10:00 -11:00 a.m.
Study: The Prophets Speak Today.
Facilitated by May Edith Walker.
Meets 4th Thursdays, except where stated, from 2:00-3:00 PM.
Join via Zoom.
November 19: The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
(No book for December)
Facilitators: Joyce Webber and Dana Brandon
Thursday, November 19, from 8:00-9:00 PM: At-Home Advent Practices w/ The Rev. Anne H.K. Apple
Join via Zoom.
This class to open to all parents of children birth-18 years of age. See the full semester’s plan.
Koine Greek Class
Typically meets Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Days/times are adjustable for those who are interested in reading the New Testament in the original Greek. *Please contact the church office if you are interested in learning more.
*Other classes will resume meeting when it is safe to do so.
