Adult Education

Ministry for Adults: Growing as Disciples

The primary purpose of adult ministry at FBC is to help adults grow as disciples of Jesus. We are a wonderful mix of believers, seekers, and skeptics. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, there is a place for you. We believe that God is at work in all of us and that we are each evolving in our understanding and experience of the Creator. In response, we offer a wide variety of classes on Sunday mornings, and small groups at various times throughout the week. New groups are continually forming, so watch this website or contact the office manager for the latest opportunities.

STUDY GROUPS

Tuesday Bible Study
Every Tuesday at noon, people gather to discuss the passage of Scripture that will be the focus of the coming Sunday’s sermon. Together they read various versions of the passage, learn a bit about the context from which it arises, ask the questions it raises in their minds, share the insights it provokes, and consider what it might mean for our individual faith journeys and our communal life.

Sunday Classes

Faith and Java, 1st Sundays of the Month at 8:30am, in-person
Faith and Java focuses on practices and principles of achieving a first-hand experience of God in order to share that love and compassion with others. If you’d like to connect with Faith and Java, please contact Rob Schulman (schulmanrob@yahoo.com) for more information.

Chapel Class, Sundays at 8:45am, in-person
The Chapel Class gathers weekly to share in both personal and intellectual conversation. The books they choose to center their discussions around alternate between Bible Study, spiritual memoir, and theological reflection. Class leadership rotates and participants of all ages and experiences are invited to join in. Contact Gary Langenwalter (gary@langenwalterwellness.com) for more details.

Bereans Class, Sundays at 8:45am, in-person
The Bereans Class is currently exploring lecturers and writers to help them better understand Christianity within our modern world – they are examining the history and current situation from various points of view, looking for meaning in the post-modern society. They meet on the 2nd floor at FBC. Contact Doug Verigin (503 913 3401) for more details.

Connections, Sundays at 8:30am, via Zoom
Each week this class watches a short video by an interesting speaker, on various topics, with lively discussions that follow by all participants. The format gives participants the ability to connect with one another and with others beyond our local area. Contact Barbara Burr (barbaracoleburr@gmail.com) for more info.

Rainbow Class
Designed to meet the interests of adults with developmental disabilities. Contact Cynthia Parker (cynp007@gmail.com) to learn more.

Classes and SMALL GROUpS

Short term classes are offered several times per year. Past offerings include book groups reading See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur; How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi; No Cure for Being Human by Kate Bowler, and more. A Welcome Class held three times per year (usually January, May, and October) invites people to share their stories and introduces them to the stories and commitments of FBC.

Small Groups are continually emerging on a wide range of topics; current offerings include a hiking group, a climate action group, a moms group, a dads group, a knitting group, a meditation group, a men’s breakfast group, and more – see the latest issue of The Tidings newsletter for meeting times, topics, and locations. The focus of groups is to help people grow spiritually, experience community, and be of service to others.