Current Opportunities

This class is led by Shirley Warehime. "Understanding the New Testament" by Professor David Brakke explores the context in which the New Testament was written to help us understand the message. Please consider joining them on Wednesday or Thursday mornings at 9 am in the fireside room or by zoom! Everyone is welcome to attend. Please contact Keeley if you intend to join via Zoom.

 March 30.  What is Resurrection? with Richard Rohr.  Ok, having done some research into the meaning of Jesus’ death and the Easter experience, now what?  In this short homily we’ll hear Father Rohr’s perspective on what resurrection actually is. 

April 6. Life After Dark, with Kate Bowler and Barbara Brown Taylor.  Following up on Father Rohr’s concept of resurrection, this is a heart-type Lenten listening, preparing for new life and new light but having to live through the darkness to get there.  Seems consistent with the Garden to the Cross Lenten archetype.  Thank you to Phaedra Raymond for facilitating while we’re out of town.

 April 13.  Palm Sunday, with Jerry Herships.  In this sermon, Methodist minister Jerry Herships of Colorado summarizes the main events of Holy Week.  Great history, insights, and meaning all in 20 minutes!  Jerry is a former stand-up comic, actor, and was the founding pastor of After Hours Denver, a faith community of rebels and misfits that meets in dives and pubs to talk God and the Holy over drinks while making PB&Js to pass out to the hungry and homeless of downtown Denver.  Their motto:  Church is great! Except when it sucks. 

April 20.  Easter, with Jerry Herships.  Since we listened to Jerry’s sermon on Palm Sunday, we thought we might as well keep with the series and let him finish up with his sermon on Easter.  In this sermon, Jerry acknowledges the conundrums of non-churchgoers and churchgoers alike.  He makes room for doubt but keeps the door open to participation by affirming that we don’t have to think alike to love alike.

 April 27.  Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?  A debate between Rev. Charles Holt and Marcus Borg.  Well, we’ve come this far, might as well go all the way and consider the foundational claim of Easter, and what, for many people is the convincing and compelling reason Christians know our faith to be “true”.  This debate is one of several Dr. Borg participated in over the years around what actually happened after Jesus’ death.  What does it mean for the tomb to be empty?  Did Jesus rise bodily, spiritually, metaphorically – all of the above?  In this debate, Rev. Charles Holt an Episcopalian clergyman debates Marcus Borg on what the bible says about Jesus’ resurrection and the different ways of understanding it.  Great opportunity to listen to thoughtful, intelligent people consider this fundamental mystery.

 Come join us for movie night the 4th Wednesday of each month after WND in the choir room.  We will watch the film series, A Hidden Wholeness featuring Parker Palmer on practicing hospitality, grace, and hope in divided times.  

Our next film, on March 26th,  Habits of Hope, shares how cultivating habits of the heart fosters resilience and strengthens the fabric of community to build a world rooted in love, courage, and justice.

On April 23rd we will be viewing and discussing the next video in the series, Spaces of Grace in which Parker Palmer shares how cultivating habits of the heart fosters resilience and strengthens the fabric of community. 

Format is 5 minutes of silent centering prayer followed by a 10- to 15-minute film segment, 5 minutes of reflective contemplation, then small group discussion.  Total time is 1 hour.  Hope to see you!

We are thrilled that members of the Open Question group are leading a Wednesday night group for adults.  The format will include ~15 minutes of contemplative prayer/exercise followed by discussion of a chapter of Richard Rohr's book "Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer." The book offers a profound exploration of spiritual growth and contemplative practices. Rohr explores the gift of contemplative prayer, highlighting the beauty of simply being and allowing room for dichotomies. The central theme of the book is that all aspects of our existence, including both joyful and painful experiences, belong in our spiritual journey.  The group will rotate facilitators each week and will meet in the practice room.