The Adult Learning and Spiritual Enrichment Team (ALSET) is pleased
to announce our offerings for fall 2023!
Register for classes below.

Models of God: Exploring Our Understanding of the Divine
SUNDAYS, SEPT 24 – NOV 5, 10:45-11:45am

Instructor: Jeff Speaks

There are few more loaded words in our language than that of God.  Everyone who hears the word brings assumptions about its meaning, experiences both positive and negative, and (for religious people) a conception of what God means for their life of faith.  Yet many of us have never taken the time to reflect on what it is we mean when we say God.  What is God?  How does God interact with the world and with people?  What does our reason, experience, the Bible, and our religious tradition teach us about the nature of God?  How do we make sense of the reality of evil and suffering in a world created by God?  How do we speak of God in a religiously plural world?

Over the course of seven weeks, participants in this class will be given the opportunity to explore these and other questions in a manner that is accessible to intellectually and spiritually curious lay persons.  Through short presentations by theological educator Jeffrey Speaks and group discussions, we will explore how we think about the reality of God and the questions that God raises in our lives as people of faith.  

Bring your questions and your curiosity!

[Instructor Jeffrey Speaks is a Ph.D. candidate in Theology and Philosophy at Boston University’s School of Theology and an Adjunct Professor at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.  He is a proud member of Lake Harriet United Methodist Church.]

Science and Faith Book Study
Belief: Readings on the Reason for Faith by Francis S. Collins
SUNDAYS, SEPT 24 – DEC 17, 11AM-Noon
Facilitators:

Don McClung, Chris Dozier, and Paul Glewwe
Zoom only

This 12-week study continues our reading of the anthology Belief: Readings on the Reason for Faith. In this book renowned physician and geneticist, Francis S. Collins, has collected essays addressing the reason for faith. It is a brilliant, wide ranging and powerful series of readings on the possibilities, problems, and mysteries of faith. 

Each essay in the collection stands on its own. So you do not need to have participated in the spring session of this study group to join this fall.

Some of the essays we will be covering include pieces by Elie Weisel, Desmond Tutu, C.S. Lewis, and Thomas Merton.

Please purchase a book via your favorite book seller.
Faithful Anti-Racism, Moving past talk to systemic change

Sponsored by ALSET and the Reconciliation Team
SUNDAYS, SEPT 24 – DEC 17, 5:30-7PM
Facilitators: Bill Konrardy, Julie Konrardy, Lauren Braswell, and Joe Kennedy
Book cost: $20.00

Participants should acquire a copy of the book Faithful Antiracism by Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan (LHUMC has a few copies). The book we will use in this study provides a broad overview of how racism works and what people of faith can do to confront it. The authors use scripture, personal narrative, and data to examine the church and racism, and how we can move forward to a more just world.

Faithful Anti-Racism – It’s time to move past talk.

It’s no longer news to most of us that our society has a deep-seated racism problem. Christians of all ethnic and economic backgrounds are tired of seeing the ugly legacy of racism play out before their eyes and feeling you’ll be ill-equipped to respond. They watch as friends and family members leave the visible church over this issue or fall prey to a gospel of white nationalism that is an affront to the cross of Christ.

In Faithful Antiracism Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan take confidence from the truth that Christ has overcome the world, including racism, and offer clear analysis and interventions to challenge its pernicious power. Drawing on brand-new research from the landmark Race, Religion and Justice Project lead by Michael Emerson and others, this book represents the most comprehensive study on Christians and race since in Emerson’s own book Divided by Faith (2001). It invites readers to put this data to immediate practical use, applying it to their own specific context.

Art Camp for Adults
WEDNESDAYS, OCT 4 – DEC 13, 6-7:30PM
Facilitator: Kristin Camp
 

October 4 – Sampler Night (check it out – no commitment)

Have you been afraid to try art? This is your opportunity to participate in a fun, non-threatening, non-judgmental art experience.  

These five weeks are all about trying new things, experimenting with different mediums and techniques, getting messy, being inspired and having fun. Each week the class participates in different styles of art making.
 

This class is open to every ability.  Enjoy the opportunity to be present in the moment as you create alongside others.  

Open to adults from the church, community, neighborhood etc. Invite a friend! Register below.
 
Location: Large Conference Room
 
Kristin is a visual artist who specializes in watercolor and acrylics. Kristin teaches at White Bear Center for the Arts.
The Lord’s Prayer – The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught 
WEDNESDAYS, OCT 18 – NOV 22, 10-11AM
Facilitators: Pastor Karen Bruins
Online participation available. Please contact Karen in advance so the technology can be set up.
Book cost: $17.50
 
Most Christians know the Lord’s Prayer by heart. We pray it often. We remember it as the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. But do we really understand and appreciate the meaning and power of its words, what we ask of God each time we pray it? When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, Jesus gave them this prayer. He likely taught it to his followers often, not just one time. It was Jesus teaching God’s people, through his disciples, how to pray.
 
In this small group we’ll look at a different phrase from the prayer each week and talk about how it applies to our lives.
 
Text: “The Lord’s Prayer: The Meaning and Power of the Prayer Jesus Taught” by Rev. Adam Hamilton.  The book is available from Amazon and other booksellers.  We’ll have a small supply of books available at church.
A Time for Contemplation
SUNDAYS, STARTING OCT 15 – 10:30AM
Thanks to a grant from the University of St. Catherine, 28 members of Lake Harriet UMC have been able to participate in monthly meetings that explore God’s place in our lives and how we can deepen our relationship with the Creator. Susan Stabile has led the groups, and also facilitated our last two spring retreats.
 
If you have been interested in finding out more about Contemplative Practices, but haven’t been able to commit to the on-going groups, we are offering an opportunity for some drop-in sessions on Sunday mornings when you can learn more about some of the practices. These sessions will be led by your fellow parishioners who have been part of the Contemplative Practices groups.
 
Come to one, a few, or all of them, as your
schedule allows!
 
A Taste of Contemplation
October 15, 10:30am – 11:15am – Lectio Divina,
Facilitator: Julie Konrardy
November 5, 9:00am – 9:30am – Centering Prayer,
Facilitator: Bill Konrardy
December 3, 9:00am – 9:30am – Welcoming Prayer
Facilitator: Linda Myers Shelton
January 7, 2024, 10:30am – 11:15am – Rhythm of New Life
Facilitator: Karin Schurrer Erickson
February 11, 9:00am – 9:30am – The Jesus Prayer
Facilitator: Kennedy and Sherry Landrud
March 17, 10:30am – 11:15am – Loving Kindness Mediation
Facilitator: Phyllis Dozier and Joe Kennedy
April 28, 10:30am – 11:15am – Examen
Facilitator: Kay Halverson
May 19, 10:30am – 11:15am – Prayer Walk
Facilitator: Heather Sesma
End of Life Seminar “Starting important conversations with the people who matter most.”
SAT, NOV 4 9AM-NOON

Facilitator: Pastor Karen Bruins

Join us for a morning of learning, and important, honest conversation.

  • If you face a terminal disease, or are seriously injured, or aging, what is most important to you about how you live your last days with dignity and comfort? 
  • What are options for medical care? 
  • How do you begin important conversations with the people you love most about the care you want?
  •  How do I express my wishes for my last days? 
  • What is an Advanced Care Directive? What is a POLST?
  • What are options for caring for my body after I die?  
  • How do I plan a funeral so that my loved ones know what I would want?
These sensitive topics are important not just for older folks, but for all adults.  Younger and mid-life adults are often the least prepared and their families are caught off guard when a tragedy strikes.  We can ease the burden on our loved ones by preparing and having honest, open conversations now.
 
Light refreshments will be served. RSVP Below.
 

Presenters:

Claire Stuessy – Advance Care Planning – Clinical Social Worker for North Memorial Hospital

Karin Schurrer-Erickson – Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

Karen Bruins – Pastor at Lake Harriet United Methodist Church

Angela Woosley – MN licensed mortician for over 15 years, Educator, Death Doula.  Angela is the owner of Inspired Journeys – Naturally Inspired Death Care.  www.inspiredjourneysmn.com. Angela will speak about options including green burial, home vigil and funeral services, green cremation, and more.

United Women in Faith Book Group
UPCOMING BOOK FOCUS AND MEETING DATES
Date: The first Thursday of the month at 7:00p. The group has been meeting via ZOOM. Sign up through the form below.
Facilitator: Julie Konrardy
Join this group of interesting and diverse women of all ages. The group focuses on one book per month. The book list is developed by the group itself.
  • October 5 Four Treasures of Sky by Jenny Tinghui-Zhang
  • November 2 The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama
  • December TBD

If you are interested in participating in one of the above ALSET offerings, please complete the form below and click the submit button.

If you have questions, concerns, ideas for classes, or if you are interested in supporting ALSET, either as a committee member or a group facilitator, please reach out to Stacey Edwards, ALSET chair, by clicking here