Adult Spirituality

All along our life journey, God calls us into spiritual and intellectual growth. In search of that growth, the Mayflower community engages in prayer, meditation, study, education, and discussion on a wide range of topics. Classes, lectures, or other opportunities are offered as a single event or series, and vary by season. Register at the Welcome Desk on Sunday mornings, by calling the church office (612) 824-0761, or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Check out the latest offerings in the Adult Education catalog here.

Adult Learning Communities at Mayflower on Sunday mornings: click here.

SUNDAYS: 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
Ghost Ranch Sampler | Feb 5 | Chapel
Leaders: Robin Keck and Diane Gardner
Interested in spiritual retreat? An art class? Adventure travel? Ghost Ranch, in the high desert of New Mexico, has a class for you! Mayflower members have been traveling to the Ranch for years and are anxious to tell you about its beauty. Come hear presenters Robin Keck and Diane Gardner talk about the "what, where and why" of Ghost Ranch.

Pilgrimage to Colombia and Haiti - Global Partners for Justice | Feb 5
Leaders: Karen Smith Sellers, Minnesota Conference Minister; Dick Sellers, Mayflower Moderator; Diane Haines, ISAIAH Core Team; and Thom Haines, Minnesota Conference Rep to United Church of Christ (UCC) Wider Church Ministries. Karen, Dick, Diane and Thom visited Colombia and Haiti in December as part of a UCC Wider Church Ministries Delegation, which manages the way the UCC relates to the world through global partnerships. The delegation witnessed great sacrifice by our partners who risked their lives for their faith in pursuit of God's justice. The foursome will share their experiences, including their time at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota where they advocated on behalf of our Colombian partners.

The Role of Identity in Recovery | Feb 12
Leader: Robert Subby, M.A.
Subby will speak on the importance of identity in the journey towards self actualization, love, intimacy and a solid spiritual center, which he sees as the cornerstones upon which to build a rich recovery, whether from addiction or any aspect of life out of balance. Subby is a licensed psychologist who has worked professionally in the areas of addiction and mental health for 30 years and has been a friend of B.W. for 37 years. He is a pioneer in the area of family centered chemical dependency and co-dependency treatment. He is the author of Lost in the Shuffle, The Co-Dependent Reality.

Public Ministry | Feb 19
Leader: Steven Newcom
A presentation and conversation with Steven Newcom, founding director for the Center for Public Ministry at United Theological Seminary, which draws from both academic and practical knowledge to serve as catalyst to expand and deepen social justice education at United, increase the public voice and effectiveness of local and regional religious bodies, and advance public ministry as a practical theological discipline within seminary education. Steve will provide an overview of the work of the Center and engage us in a lively dialogue around the role and strategies of public ministry. He was formerly the Executive Director of Headwaters Foundation for Justice and is a graduate of the Hubert Humphrey School of Public Affairs, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, and Graceland University.

Sermon Talk Back | Feb 26 (9:45–10:45 a.m. and 12:15–1:15 p.m.)
Leader: Rev. Michael Piazza
Rev. Michael Piazza currently serves as the co-director of the Center for Progressive Renewal. Rev. Piazza formerly served as the senior pastor of the Cathedral of Hope, Dallas, Texas, growing that church from 280 members to 3500 members. He co-authored the book Liberating Hope with Cameron Trimble in 2011. He is also the author of a number of other books including Gay by God and Prophetic Renewal. Under a contract with the Minnesota Conference, United Church of Christ (UCC), Michael has served as a consultant on "Next Level Congregations" with five local Minnesota UCC churches, including Mayflower. He is a dynamic preacher, a powerful teacher and a person passionate about growing and revitalizing the progressive church in America. He will be sharing his vision for the church in general and for Mayflower in particular. Come to be challenged and then to challenge Michael during these two talk-back sessions.

Walk the Labyrinth | Feb 26 | Chapel
Leader: Women's Spirituality

MONDAY EVENINGS
Dinner and Movie | Feb 6 (6:00–8:30 p.m.)
Leader: Rev. John Gutterman
Cost: Free will offering (Light supper served)
A screening of "9500 Liberty," a film documenting the first time in U.S. history that an Arizona-style immigration law was actually implemented and the surprising grassroots opposition that led to its repeal. Film critic Roger Ebert wrote: "The most rewarding element of this deeply involved documentary involves the board meetings. Local citizens stand up to speak their minds, and we hear a great many of them."

Progressive Christianity: A Glorious Oxymoron: Series
Leader: Rev. Anita L. Bradshaw, PhD
Segment III: Re-Scheduled for Feb. 27, Mar. 5 and 12, 2012  7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Segment IV: Feb 27; Mar 5 and 12 Canceled; Segment III replaces Segment IV in this slot
Segment V: Apr. 9, 16, and 23, 2012 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
This series is for those who want to have some serious discussion on what it means to be a progressive Christian and how to articulate what you believe. There is a text for each segment and there will be specific readings assigned. The text supports what is being done each week, but this is not a book study. It is not necessary to take all five segments.

Progressive Christianity: A Glorious Oxymoron
Segment III: Is it True?
Feb 27; Mar 5 and 12  7:00 - 8:30p.m.
Leader: Rev. Anita L. Bradshaw, PhD
Prerequisite: "How to Think Theologically" or permission of instructor.
One of the big divides between progressive Christians and other forms of Christianity comes to rest on the claims of what is truth and how we can know something is true.  Given the recent seismic shifts in evangelicalism on questions of salvation, this is becoming a larger issue than just between progressive Christians and others.  This segment will explore: What is truth? What is true? How do we know what is true? Can we know?
Texts: Each member of the class will choose one of the following to read (or more):
Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell (HaperOne, 2011)
What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (Zondervan, 1997)
If Grace Is Ture: Why God Will Save Every Person by Philip Gulley and James Mulholland (HarperSanFrancisco, 2003)

THURSDAY EVENINGS
Becoming Culturally Competent | Feb 2 (6:00–9:00 p.m.)
Leader: Sharon Radd, Ed.D.
Most of us are for LESS interculturally competent than we believe. This lively, engaging and though-provoking three-hour workshop will explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when folks from different cultures come together to work, play, and make decisions. Using theoretical frameworks and real-life examples, you will develop new understandings for interacting across difference. You will also learn how and why these understandings are vital when navigating school related learning.

Themes in Mark and the Gospel of Surprises | Feb 23, Mar 1, 8, 15, 22 (7:00–8:30 p.m.)
Leader: Rev. Judith Mattison
In five sessions we will explore how the Gospel of Mark is very different from the other Gospels. This will not be a series of verse-by-verse academic explorations; rather, it will be more like a book club discussion with friends. Each session will stand on its own. Topics will include "Insiders and Outsiders," "Who Gets In?," "Secrets," and "This is the End?" Bring your favorite Bible if possible. Judith (Judie) is a retired Lutheran pastor and member of Mayflower. She is the author of 15 books of devotion/poetry.

Recent Adult Spirituality Programs
Click here for information about recent Adult Spirituality programs at Mayflower.

United Theological Seminary offers a variety of courses, workshops, lectures and performances through the Academy for Vital Christianity and Community Programs office. Mark your calendar for a special program at UTS on Monday, Feb. 13, 7:30. p.m. Yvette Flunder, gospel singer and pastor of San Francisco's  City of Refuge United Church of Christ, will bring her powerful message of radical inclusion to the Twin Cities. More information here.

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