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Happiness and the Spiritual Life

What is the connection between happiness and spiritual well-being? Surrounded daily by a challenging world, we will explore ways to increase positive, spiritually transformative energy, asking what difference does hope vs. optimism make? We will delve into the gospels, especially John, for insights into finding a quiet place amid all the chaos.

Ann Graham Brock (Ph.D., Harvard University) is an author and lecturer whose special interests include spirituality, social issues, and gender equality in religion. Her best-selling book is entitled: Mary Magdalene, the First Apostle: The Struggle for Authority. She has also co-edited five other books, and had numerous encyclopedia and journal articles published in German, French, and English. She has taught New Testament and World Religion courses at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Iliff, Harvard Divinity School, and Harvard University where she received an Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Brock has also appeared on the History Channel in its presentation of The Twelve Apostles, the Discovery Channel in The Real Da Vinci Code, and in several British television documentaries. She also received Mentor of the Year, a national award from the Society of Biblical Literature (CSWP). 

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Gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, the historical and cultural setting, and increase insight into life applications.  The curriculum is Journey Through the Bible, which highlights pivotal points in the Scripture, lifting up the most significant stories, themes, events and people.  The study starting in January, 2022 is the Revelation  This ongoing group is for beginners and those who have participated in other Bible studies.  Weekly readings are short and manageable and the discussion is lively!  No previous classes are needed. All are welcome. Study books are available in the Book Alcove. Led by Rhonda Mizeur.

This class will be a hybrid model. Participants can attend in-person or on Zoom.  

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Gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, in its historical and cultural setting, and increase insight into life applications. This study highlights pivotal points in the Scripture, lifting up the most significant stories, themes, events and people. This winter we’ll study the book of Revelations as part of the Journey Through the Bible series. This ongoing group is for those with little Bible study experience, and those who have participated in other Bible studies. Weekly readings are short and manageable and the discussion is lively! No previous experience needed. Led by Jeff Klaus and Steve Starliper.

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If you’ve ever wondered how God relates to creation and to creatures like you and me, or whether God has planned out our futures in advance, or why God doesn’t always seem to intervene to prevent bad things from happening, you’ll love this two-session class. Open and Relational Theology is an updated and more accessible expression of our previous offering entitled Process Theology. Led by Rev. Mark Feldmeir.

Session one
Core Beliefs of Open and Relational Theology
Session two
Open and Relational Faith in Everyday Life

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Where did all these Methodist come from? Who was John Wesley? What do Methodist teach and believe? Join us for a lively three-week class exploring the historical origins and teachings of a people called Methodist. Methodism made its way to the shores of America in the early 18th century, but the movement was shaped much earlier through the life of John and Charles Wesley. This short course will dive into cultural influences that shaped early Methodism, the introduction of Methodism to early America, and the basic teachings and structure of Methodism today. Led by Rev. Jerry Lee Butler.

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In Glittering Vices Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung notes that contemporary culture has too often trivialized and unfortunately dismissed these cardinal vices, treating them apart from any serious or moral spiritual implication. The traditional teachings compiled by saints such as Augustine, Pope Gregory I and Aquinas are “pure gold,” according to DeYoung. “These are ideas that have stuck around for nearly 2,000 years,” she said. “They tap into something deeply true about human nature.” By providing a brief history of the vices and offering an informative chapter on each of the seven, DeYoung provides readers with a practical understanding of how these “deadly sins” shape our culture and why it is that pride, gluttony, greed, sloth, and others are incredibly destructive. But the book goes beyond diagnoses: It offers remedies through the practice of spiritual discipline and character formation. “The counterpart [to the tree of vices] is the tree of virtues rooted in love and humility,” writes DeYoung, “and we have the perfect example of that. Our project is to become more and more Christ-like. We have a very clear picture of the way it’s supposed to be.” Led by Rev. Jerry Lee Butler.

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