
The Adult Learning and Spiritual Enrichment Team (ALSET) is pleased
to announce our offerings for fall 2023! Register for classes below.
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.]
Belief: Readings on the Reason for Faith by Francis S. Collins
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.
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.
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.
This class is open to every ability. Enjoy the opportunity to be present in the moment as you create alongside others.
Facilitators: Pastor Karen Bruins
Online participation available. Please contact Karen in advance so the technology can be set up.
Book cost: $17.50
schedule allows!
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
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?
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.
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.