Adult Education
At St. Michael’s, we believe that developing a mature faith is a life-long journey, knowing that questions, doubts, and discoveries are a part of learning and growing in faith. The Adult Education program is designed to challenge, stretch, and deepen our faith as it is lived out in our homes, workplaces, and world.
Religion in Life
Religion in Life is a Sunday morning learning opportunity for adults September - May that takes place from 10:00-10:50 a.m. (between worship services) in the Courtyard Room. We host excellent speakers in various fields as they explore personal, social, Biblical, and ethical issues, inviting conversation in how religion and faith intersects with life. This fall we are excited to host the following speakers/conversations:
Sunday, December 4
Amy Marga; The Construction of “Whiteness,” Protestant Theology And the Bible
How is Christianity implicated in race injustice in America? Although there is a lot to unpack on this topic, it is worth considering how Christianity supported the American movement to define most people of European descent as "white." In this session, we will explore the imagery and theology within Christianity that contributed to the construction of "whiteness" in Europe and America and what we can do to disentangle our faith in God from racial constructions.
Amy Marga is Professor of Systematic Theology, and has been at Luther Seminary since 2006. A summa cum laude graduate of Concordia University, St Paul, MN (1995), she received a Master of Divinity (1998) and Doctor of Philosophy (2006) from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her present research focuses on mothering and children in the Christian tradition. Her recent course topics include Race and Protestantism; Queer Theology; Global Feminist Theology; and Christianity, Conspiracies, and Christian Nationalism. Marga is a trained racial justice facilitator through the Minneapolis YWCA, and a member of the American Academy of Religion.
Sunday, December 11
The dominant images and characters of Christmas come from only two of the four Gospels - Matthew and Luke. Mark's story begins in the desert with Jesus being baptized. And John's story begins before the beginning of time. While John's Gospel will not contribute to our nativity sets, it is always the Gospel reading for Christmas day. This presentation will focus on how John's unique theological themes shape the meaning of the birth of Jesus.
Lewis is the author of A Lay Preacher’s Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon; Embody: Five Steps to Leading With Integrity; SHE: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry, and John: Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaries. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Lewis holds degrees from Northwestern University (B.A.), Luther Seminary (M.Div.), and Emory University (Ph.D., New Testament Studies and Homiletics). She is the Program Director for the Festival of Homiletics, a contributing writer for Working Preacher, and co-host of the site's weekly podcast, Sermon Brainwave
Sunday, December 18
Christmas Carols & Stories that Shape Us with Karen Wilkerson, Tom Bartsch, and Chuck Hanson
Join Karen, Tom, and Chuck as they invite us into the season with songs and carols, holiday stories and remembrances, and a good amount of laughter.
Sunday, December 25 & January 1
No Religion in Life
Religion in Life is a Sunday morning learning opportunity for adults September - May that takes place from 10:00-10:50 a.m. (between worship services) in the Courtyard Room. We host excellent speakers in various fields as they explore personal, social, Biblical, and ethical issues, inviting conversation in how religion and faith intersects with life. This fall we are excited to host the following speakers/conversations:
Sunday, December 4
Amy Marga; The Construction of “Whiteness,” Protestant Theology And the Bible
How is Christianity implicated in race injustice in America? Although there is a lot to unpack on this topic, it is worth considering how Christianity supported the American movement to define most people of European descent as "white." In this session, we will explore the imagery and theology within Christianity that contributed to the construction of "whiteness" in Europe and America and what we can do to disentangle our faith in God from racial constructions.
Amy Marga is Professor of Systematic Theology, and has been at Luther Seminary since 2006. A summa cum laude graduate of Concordia University, St Paul, MN (1995), she received a Master of Divinity (1998) and Doctor of Philosophy (2006) from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her present research focuses on mothering and children in the Christian tradition. Her recent course topics include Race and Protestantism; Queer Theology; Global Feminist Theology; and Christianity, Conspiracies, and Christian Nationalism. Marga is a trained racial justice facilitator through the Minneapolis YWCA, and a member of the American Academy of Religion.
Sunday, December 11
The dominant images and characters of Christmas come from only two of the four Gospels - Matthew and Luke. Mark's story begins in the desert with Jesus being baptized. And John's story begins before the beginning of time. While John's Gospel will not contribute to our nativity sets, it is always the Gospel reading for Christmas day. This presentation will focus on how John's unique theological themes shape the meaning of the birth of Jesus.
Lewis is the author of A Lay Preacher’s Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon; Embody: Five Steps to Leading With Integrity; SHE: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry, and John: Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaries. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Lewis holds degrees from Northwestern University (B.A.), Luther Seminary (M.Div.), and Emory University (Ph.D., New Testament Studies and Homiletics). She is the Program Director for the Festival of Homiletics, a contributing writer for Working Preacher, and co-host of the site's weekly podcast, Sermon Brainwave
Sunday, December 18
Christmas Carols & Stories that Shape Us with Karen Wilkerson, Tom Bartsch, and Chuck Hanson
Join Karen, Tom, and Chuck as they invite us into the season with songs and carols, holiday stories and remembrances, and a good amount of laughter.
Sunday, December 25 & January 1
No Religion in Life
Faith in Daily Life
Is the opportunity to gather for meaningful conversations over lunch. This year we will be reading four shorter books together. Individuals often join in one of the groups consistently (or may opt to jump between the two groups as their schedule permits). The groups generally meet the 1st and 2nd Wednesdays of the Month
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Courtyard Room
Group 1: December 7 Prayer in the Night, by the Rev. Tish Harrison Warren Parts 3 & 4
Group 2: December 14 Prayer in the Night, by the Rev. Tish Harrison Warren Parts 3 & 4
Group 1: January 4 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Intro-Chapter 2
Group 2: January 11 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Intro-Chapter2
Group 1: February 1 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Chapters 3-4
Group 2: February 8 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Chapters 3-4
Group 1: March 1 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Chapter 5-Conclusion
Group 2: March 8 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Chapter 5-Conclusion
Note: Sundays, March 26 and April 2, join Roland Hayes for Religion in Life as he explores the topic, “Why was Jesus Executed?” as we move from Palm Sunday through Holy Week.
Group 1: April 5 Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann through Chapter 1
Group 2: April 12 Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann through Chapter 1
Group 1: May 3 Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann through Chapter 3(end)
Group 2: May 10 Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann through Chapter 3(end)
Is the opportunity to gather for meaningful conversations over lunch. This year we will be reading four shorter books together. Individuals often join in one of the groups consistently (or may opt to jump between the two groups as their schedule permits). The groups generally meet the 1st and 2nd Wednesdays of the Month
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Courtyard Room
Group 1: December 7 Prayer in the Night, by the Rev. Tish Harrison Warren Parts 3 & 4
Group 2: December 14 Prayer in the Night, by the Rev. Tish Harrison Warren Parts 3 & 4
Group 1: January 4 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Intro-Chapter 2
Group 2: January 11 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Intro-Chapter2
Group 1: February 1 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Chapters 3-4
Group 2: February 8 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Chapters 3-4
Group 1: March 1 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Chapter 5-Conclusion
Group 2: March 8 Witness at the Cross, by Amy-Jill Levine Chapter 5-Conclusion
Note: Sundays, March 26 and April 2, join Roland Hayes for Religion in Life as he explores the topic, “Why was Jesus Executed?” as we move from Palm Sunday through Holy Week.
Group 1: April 5 Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann through Chapter 1
Group 2: April 12 Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann through Chapter 1
Group 1: May 3 Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann through Chapter 3(end)
Group 2: May 10 Journey to the Common Good, by Walter Brueggemann through Chapter 3(end)
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
September-May
Join in Bible Study with others from the congregation and community as we explore Scriptural texts for the coming week, themes throughout the Bible, and ways texts intersect with our daily lives and experiences.
Thursday, December 1
Isaiah 11:1-10 From David’s line, a ruler bringing justice and peac
Psalm 72:1 May the righteous flourish; let there be an abundance of peace.
Romans 15:4-13 Live in harmony, welcoming one another
Matthew 3:1-12 A voice cries: Prepare the way of the Lord
Thursday, December 8
Isaiah 35:1-10 The desert blooms as God’s people return from exile
Luke 1:46b-55 My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
James 5:7-10 Patience until the coming of the Lord
Matthew 11:2-11 The forerunner of Christ
Thursday, December 15
Isaiah 7:10-16 The sign of Immanuel
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
Romans 1:1-7 Paul’s greeting to the church at Rome
Matthew 1:18-25 A God near at hand
Thursday, December 22
Isaiah 9:2-7 Light shines: a child is born for us
Psalm 96 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad.
Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared
Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] God with us
Thursday, December 29 No class
Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
September-May
Join in Bible Study with others from the congregation and community as we explore Scriptural texts for the coming week, themes throughout the Bible, and ways texts intersect with our daily lives and experiences.
Thursday, December 1
Isaiah 11:1-10 From David’s line, a ruler bringing justice and peac
Psalm 72:1 May the righteous flourish; let there be an abundance of peace.
Romans 15:4-13 Live in harmony, welcoming one another
Matthew 3:1-12 A voice cries: Prepare the way of the Lord
Thursday, December 8
Isaiah 35:1-10 The desert blooms as God’s people return from exile
Luke 1:46b-55 My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
James 5:7-10 Patience until the coming of the Lord
Matthew 11:2-11 The forerunner of Christ
Thursday, December 15
Isaiah 7:10-16 The sign of Immanuel
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
Romans 1:1-7 Paul’s greeting to the church at Rome
Matthew 1:18-25 A God near at hand
Thursday, December 22
Isaiah 9:2-7 Light shines: a child is born for us
Psalm 96 Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad.
Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared
Luke 2:1-14 [15-20] God with us
Thursday, December 29 No class
Women’s Circle
September - June
The Women's circle is a wonderful way to connect, build relationships, and join others in conversation and study.
The Esther Circle will be meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m.
Members Sandy Gibson and Norma Forbord will be coordinating the circle as it moves into the new year.
September - June
The Women's circle is a wonderful way to connect, build relationships, and join others in conversation and study.
The Esther Circle will be meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m.
Members Sandy Gibson and Norma Forbord will be coordinating the circle as it moves into the new year.
Desserters II
Book Group
The Desserters II book club meets monthly and explores a variety of books and topics. All are welcome to join the discussions held on the 4th Tuesdays of the month. Dates and books for this coming year are:
• February 28 Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok
• March 28 American Gospel: A Novel by Lin Enger
• April 25 The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
• May 23 The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo
Book Group
The Desserters II book club meets monthly and explores a variety of books and topics. All are welcome to join the discussions held on the 4th Tuesdays of the month. Dates and books for this coming year are:
• February 28 Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok
• March 28 American Gospel: A Novel by Lin Enger
• April 25 The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
• May 23 The Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo
|
St. Michael's Lutheran Church
1660 West County Road B Roseville, MN 55113 651-631-1510 Summer Worship Service Times Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mondays 7:00 p.m. (except May 30 & July 4) |
