Adult Education

Adult Education bridges our faith tradition with real life.

Adult Education for 2020-21

Reckoning with Privilege: Where Christ Leads the Church When the World is Disrupted

Is there any unique contribution the church could offer during this time of growing unrest, uncertainty, and division? The Old Testament is full of instructions for how God’s people must care for the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, and the foreigner. The New Testament follows Jesus’ path from power to humility both in his incarnation and death. As seen in scriptural characters from Solomon to the rich young ruler, Dorcas to Zacchaeus, Boaz to Susanna, our Bible represents different ways those with resources or privilege are called to engage within the church and their world. Yet even Christians can’t seem to agree on how we must live. Fissures in the global church continue to deepen and, in the US, conservative and liberal Christianity seem more divided than ever. How do we reconcile these truths with Scriptural exhortations to be peacemakers, Christ’s ambassadors, and justice seekers? When are we called to overthrow the table and when are we called to sit at it with people who disagree? Is there a specific call to those of us at Westminster who inhabit places of unique privilege? The world’s eyes were drawn to Minneapolis after George Floyd’s killing, what is our witness?

Watch a new presentation every Sunday through Livestream beginning at 9:15 am and watch previous classes on the church’s YouTube channel.

All-Church Book Read

If Beale Street Could Talk, by James Baldwin

In January 2021, Adult Ed will host a discussion of James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk. This novel about the false criminal accusation of a Black man gives us the opportunity to explore persistent and continuing inequities in our so-called justice system and highlights the beauty and power of Black love, romantic and familial.

The whole community is invited to read with us and then tune-in during Adult Learning Hour Sundays in January to delve into this timely and important text. For more information, or if you are interested in facilitating a discussion of this book, please contact Rachel Sheild Gustafson. You may purchase a copy of the book at your favorite online retailer or with assistance from the church.

All-Church Book Read Discussion Guide (pdf) 

The Bible Then and Now

This occasional multi-week class explores themes from the Bible that relate to how we live out our faith. By looking deeper into the ways the Bible first spoke in its original cultural settings, we are better prepared to think faithfully and creatively about what Christian belief should be now, in our culture. Learn more.

Living the Faith in the 21st Century

This Wednesday evening class, led by Dr. Chad Quaintance, explores what it means to live as faithful Christians today. Participants grow through learning and conversation. This class is held via Zoom.

Mini-Pilgrimages

Content experts from the Westminster community have developed a series of self-guided educational tours around the Twin Cities to significant sights with accompanying interpretive and devotional materials to help learners dig deeper. Learn more.

Small Groups

If you are looking for a way to connect more deeply with others at Westminster, consider joining a small group. These groups gather to grow in faith and study to learn and live into God’s Word. To join a group, contact Mahin Hamilton.

New Groups for 2020 include:

• LGBTQIA+ This small group will be open to members and  allies of the LGBTQIA+ community, a welcomed and integral part of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
• Spiritual Practices: Creating Calm in the Midst of Chaos Martha Rockenstein will lead a 6-week group on “Spiritual Practices: Creating Calm in the Midst of Chaos.”
• Glory Happening: In a Season of Loss, How Do We Find “Enough” This small group will explore the book Glory Happening by Kaitlin B. Curtice, which describes encounters with the Divine in everyday moments. How can we learn to perceive and relate to God, even in the small and mundane moments of our life?