Adult Faith Formation
Sessions are held Sunday mornings September through May at 9:30 am in the Fellowship Center unless otherwise noted. Please join us. All are welcome!
FAITH AND CIVIC LIFE: BIBLE STUDY
SEEKING THE WELL-BEING OF ALL
Wednesdays April 8 – May 13 2 p.m. or
Mondays April 13-May 18 7 p.m.
How does our faith inform, intersect and interact with our role as citizens of this nation? Join us for this timely study of the foundations and content of our ELCA’s latest social statement. Invite a friend to join you. Pick up a copy of the Annotated Guide to the social statement and/or the entire statement at the table in the narthex.
Week 4: May 4, 7:00 p.m.
Religion and the First Amendment Section 4 of the annotated Guide
What does 1 Corinthians 10:23-32 have to say about Christian freedom? What are the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment? What does the “separation of church and state” mean? What is the value of protecting religious diversity? What is the difference between Christian freedom and religious liberty?
Week 5: May 6, 2:00 p.m. or May 11, 7:00 p.m.
Constructive Relationships Between Religious Organizations and Political Authority Section 5 Annotated Guide
How might the testing of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11) speak to this issue? How might the church work with civil authorities in areas of mutual endeavor? What are the boundaries to such interaction? What is the Johnson Amendment? What is the difference between healthy patriotism and Christian Nationalism?
Week 6: Selected Contemporary Concerns in Civic Life
How does our faith inform, intersect and interact with our role as citizens of this nation? Join us for this timely study of the foundations and content of our ELCA’s latest social statement. Invite a friend to join you. Pick up a copy of the Annotated Guide to the social statement and/or the entire statement at the table in the narthex.
Week 6: May 13, 2:00 p.m. or May 18, 7:00 p.m.
Selected Contemporary Concerns in Civic Life Section 6 of the Annotated Guide
How might we counter hyper-partisan polarization? How does the Eighth Commandment relate to this? How can we avoid contributing to hyperpartisanship in society and our congregation? How might we deepen our commitment to robust civic engagement?