Adult Education

The Adult Education Ministry Team is excited to announce that Gethsemane member, the Rev. Dr. Jim Childs will present a timely and informative new series of classes during the month of November. “Engaging our World: Faith Active in Love seeking Justice” is the title of the series and it is based on Dr. Childs new book: “Engaging ELCA Social Teaching on the Church in Society”. ELCA has just released this book and we at Gethsemane are among the first to be able to read it. We are privileged to have Dr. Child’s leadership in these classes based on his book.

Although you don’t have to read the book to attend and to learn from the class, we are happy to announce that we have books available for those who would like to have a copy to supplement class discussions. The books will be available on a table in the library on Reformation Sunday.  Below is a little more detail from Dr. Childs.

The classes will begin at 11:00am on November 3 in the Multi-Purpose Room. Please join us!

A Word from Dr. Childs

In 1987 at the very beginning of the ELCA the church adopted the social statement, The Church in society: A Lutheran Perspective. It was to be the foundation of our public witness of faith active in love seeking justice. It has been the foundation for many social statements that have followed on topics such as abortion, the environment, economic justice, racism, the death penalty and others. As we look at this expression of our Lutheran faith in dialogue, we ask some of the following questions:

• Lutheran have not always felt comfortable with engaging the world through social action. Why?
• Are the activities of the church on behalf of justice and the health of the planet a true expression of the gospel? Or, law? Or, both?
• What do we learn from Luther’s views and activities or the witness of champions of the faith like Dietrich Bonhoeffer”
• On our secular society what do people outside the church think about the church’s engagement with social issues?
• What about joining with congregations of other Christian denominations or even other faiths to advocate for measures that affect people’s lives? Is that a witness to the gospel?
• How does the church decide that public policies to support?
• Why is dialogue in the church on tough issues so very important? And, what is true dialogue? Jesus left us with the task of deciding right and wrong on matters not dealt with in the bible.
• What are the local issues of concern in our area?
• In what ways, as a church member, and an individual Christian do you want to participate? There are many ways and not all have the same gifts and opportunities.

What is your understanding of your baptismal vocation?