BETHEL ADULT EDUCATION FORUMS 2009-2010
Forums are held Sundays at 10:30am
in Room 115 or the Chapel

All adults in our congregation are invited to participate in some way in the upcoming Adult Forums listed below. We have also included a list of some of our ongoing Bible Studies that we hope you will attend.
 

September 20: “Life & Stem Cells: Religion & Science”
Our own Pastor Norm Wahl will kick off the Adult Education Forums leading us in this current and often controversial subject. Please give the Adult Education Forums a try as we begin our 2009/2010 season.

September 27: “ELCA Bishops Letter
to the MN Legislature and Governor”
Pastor Mark Peters, Director of the Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota will discuss the letter all six Minnesota ELCA Bishops signed in March 2009.

October 4: “Lost Boys of Sudan:
From Nowhere to Somewhere”
Hear William Deng’s life story, how he overcame unbelievable odds as a 5 year old on his own, with other young boys, as a result of the war. William was interviewed in a NBC documentary made in Kenya, East Africa to capture this experience. Hear how he became a Christian and is now a member of Bethel.

October 11: “Life is Stewardship”
For the Christian, everything we do is stewardship:
stewardship of heart, soul & mind; stewardship of time, service, money. Where might you grow in caring for God’s World?
Pastor Sherman Coltvett & Avis Hagen

October 18: “Why is That in the Bible?”
A look at some “odd” texts. When reading the Bible, sometimes
we stumble across texts that look like they don’t belong in a holy book. They raise the question of what kind of book the Bible is
and the possibility that God might be telling us something even
in the most unlikely places.
Retired Professor Dan Simundson from Luther Seminary


October 25: “ELCA Vision & Issues/Questions”
Reverend “Huck” Usgaard, Bishop of the SE MN Synod ELCA will fill us in on the issues and events of the ELCA, offer a vision for our synod, and be available to answer questions.

November 1: “Are You Really Born Again?”
“I’m not born again, because we Lutherans aren’t that kind,” said a confirmation student to me once. To many people being “born again” sounds like going to a revival meeting. Are we Lutherans “born again”? If so, how and when does it happen?
Retired Luther Seminary Professor Michael Rogness

November 8: “Faith and Politics Should Be Mixed:
How to Do It Right”
As Christians, we are called to be deeply involved in the civil realm while avoiding the tendency to “baptize” our beliefs. Find out how our Lutheran tradition can be a guide and resource for thinking about politics. Professor Mark Tranvik, Augsburg College


November 15, 22: “What’s at Stake for Lutherans in the Controversies About Evolution.”
In America, an unusually large number of Christians have
difficulty with biological evolution. What are the sources of
this difficulty? What claims about evolution are scientific and
which fall beyond the limits of science? How well does the science of evolution fit with Lutheran theology, with its concept of God,
its view of humans, its understanding of faith?
Professor Darrell Jodock, Gustavus Adolphus College

December 6: “Founding Fathers and Their Faith”
Was the United States founded as a Christian nation by Christians? What was the religious faith and practice of America’s Founding Fathers? History tells us it was more diverse than most Americans assume. So, what does this mean for America today?
Retired Chaplain Paul Baker.

December 13: “Genesis 14: An Outsider’s View of Abraham”
Genesis 14 provides a different view of Abraham from the rest of
the book. The presentation will review the content of the chapter itself and then discuss how it does not fit the usual story about Abraham in the rest of Genesis.
Retired RCTC Professor, Bill Bakken

January 10: “How to Get Through Unbelievable Grief:
Writing to Recover”Harriet Hodgson is a Rochester resident, the author of 27 books, and hundreds of articles about loss, grief and recovery. She is a monthly columnist for the new "Caregiving in America" magazine. Losing four loved ones within nine months brought Hodgson to her knees. To cope with these losses she turned to what she knew best- writing. "When you write your way through grief, you find your way through grief," said Hodgson. "And that is a blessing." Come to her presentation and learn how you, too can write to recover.


January 17: “Forgiveness: Giving and Receiving”
We let ourselves down often, feeling guilty and ashamed. How can we forgive ourselves for old wrongs and regrets? Others let us down and it becomes easy to be resentful, or worse vengeful. We will examine what Scripture teaches and look at what great teachers have taught about forgiveness. We will also look at some practical helps to forgive ourselves, and freely forgive others. Chaplain Sylvan Hengesteg

January 24: “Leaving a Spiritual Will”
Legal wills have been part of our society for a long time. Composing spiritual or ethical wills may be newer in comparison yet they are perhaps more important as we define and share our values and beliefs with future generations. All are invited to come and gain practical tools in beginning the process of creating a spiritual will uniquely your own. Hospice Chaplain Jeff Wallager

January 31: “Prayer 101"
Simple thoughts to uncomplicated prayer so that we can again pray “just as children speak to their loving father”. Pastor Robert Onkka

February 7: “Rediscover Repentance:
The Christian Demand for Social Change”
Religion Professor Guy Nave from Luther College in Decorah, IA will lead us in the forum on the subject of social change and how it relates to our lives today.

February 14: “Seeing the Gospel in TV and Movies” Adults and children spend many hours a week in front of electronic screens: movies, TV, internet, computer games, etc. How can we make sure they enrich our lives, not dominate them?
Retired Luther Seminary Professor Michael Rogness

February 21:
Mwangaza Education for Partnership is an on-going program in Tanzania, East Africa. Started eleven years ago, this program partners ELCA synods in America with ELCT synods in Tanzania to support the educational famine that exists there. For over a decade American Lutherans have helped support the educational needs of Tanzanians through Mwangaza by funding much-needed teaching seminars, providing resource materials for a professional library, and funding an updated computer lab for those who would otherwise have no access. Valerie Goodmanson-Wassmer first visited Tanzania in 2004 as a teacher facilitator and trainer and has been back multiple times since then. She has witnessed first-hand the educational needs and the amazing work that Mwangaza has done to alleviate the famine. Much has been done but there is much still to do.


February 28: “Mission and Outreach:
Current Work & Future Dreams”
How is Bethel currently engaged for mission work and where is God leading us to serve in our community and world? Come hear about the latest mission work in our congregation, add your ideas and input, and be encouraged to find places where you can reach out and make a difference in Jesus’ name. Pastor Anjanette Rist

March 7: “Interfaith Hospitality Network/ Dorothy Day House”
Joan Grosso has been volunteering for countless years at the Dorothy Day House for the homeless. Lynn Myhre, is an active member of our Social Mission Team working with the Interfaith Hospitality Network for homeless families. Come and hear about this important work.

March 14: “IHN and Dorothy Day House: Panel with Recipients”
Joan Grosso and Lynn Myhre will introduce us to guests who
have been helped through IHN and Dorothy Day. Learn how we
can continue to serve through these important Bethel ministries.

 
March 21: “Emotional Illness in Tough Economic Times:
Homelessness & Poverty”
Dr. Mark Williams, Mayo Clinic Psychiatrist will speak
about his volunteer work at the Salvation Army Free Clinic.
Hear about the real life struggles of many, what is being done
to support and help, and how we may increase our awareness
and sensitivity to the needs of others.

April 11: “The Many Paths of Hinduism”
Hinduism is probably the oldest and most diverse of the major
world religions. The class will provide an overview of Hinduism
and focus on the beliefs that make Hinduism such a unique
religion. We will also examine the historical events that helped
to influence the development of Hinduism from its origins
through modern times. Professor Chad Israelson, RCTC
will present insights on this often misunderstood world religion.

April 18: “Ministry: Tanzanian Ministry Experience”
Hear from Bethel members & colleagues about their experience and ministry. Learn how your support touches the lives of those brothers and sisters in Christ, far away.

April 25: “Complimentary &Alternative Medicine: Myth, Realities, & Opportunity”
A wide array of options for self-treatment and self-care,
ranging from the common to the uncommon.
Dr. Brent Bauer, Director of Complementary and Integrative Medicine program at Mayo Clinic will share some of the growing
body of research regarding the evidence-based use of CAM.

OTHER BIBLE STUDY
OPPORTUNITIES
(Room 115)


Monday Evenings (6:30pm) Understanding the Worship Bible Lessons - An informal study that helps participants
gain an even deeper appreciation of the upcoming worship services. No preparation or special knowledge is needed.

Wednesday Mornings (6:30am) An informal and lively
study that guides us through all the books of the Bible.
We are currently in the Old Testament.

Wednesday Mornings (10am) Same as Monday night.

Thursday Mornings (9am for Moms & Kids)
Day care is provided in the Nursery.
Several topics are discussed through the school year.
Come and share great fellowship.

WELCA Studies Meets the first Thursday of each month
at 10:45am in Room 115.
Lutheran Woman Today magazine is used.

Men’s Ministry (6:30pm) meets the third Sunday of each month with Pastor Wahl.
Service projects are also planned.

Wednesday Evenings (6:30pm)
Strength for the Journey Bible Study begins on Sept. 9 for
a 12-week series on Old Testament Characters. Each week
takes a look at one Old Testament character and helps us understand what people living in 2009 can learn from their lives. Facilitated by Jan Hintz