Adult Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation at Ladera Church is practiced through recurring gatherings and occasional programs, augmenting Sunday worship.
We also conduct, support and facilitate special events throughout the year, such as musical concerts, pageants, and speakers. We welcome you to join in all our gatherings and grow with us.
Recurring Gatherings
2nd Hour Programs – these one-hour programs of spiritual growth and exploration of current issues are held most Sundays at 11 a.m. following fellowship time. Childcare is provided. Recent topics include: discussion on Real Forgiveness based on Dr. Fred Luskin’s book, Forgive for Good; study sessions on theologian Marcus Borg's book, The Heart of Christianity; report from a young adult member on her work with Kiva in Africa; and dialogue with a transgender person.
Bible Study Group – weekly discussion of upcoming Sunday’s scripture readings. Meets Tuesdays at noon at the church.
Prayer Group – weekly meeting to check in and pray with one another, lifting up congregational prayers from the Sunday before. Creative ways of prayer are explored. Meets Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. at the church.
Home Group – bi-monthly discussion of spiritual growth literature, such as Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen and The Good Book by Peter Gomes. Get-togethers include sharing of personal joys, concerns and caring. Meets Sunday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in members’ homes. Visitors are always welcome to experience this special style of faith growth in a caring environment.
Spiritual Enrichment Group – bi-weekly study group that focuses on current articles or topics of interest by well-known theologians. Recent examples include: A New Christianity for a New World by Bishop John Spong, The Great Transformation by Karen Armstrong, and God at 2000. Meets twice monthly at the church.
Book Group - monthly discussion of works of fiction and nonfiction. Meets in the afternoon in the homes of the participants.
Occasional Gatherings
Shawl Ministry – incorporates compassion and prayer, along with knitting needles, crochet hooks, strands of yarn, and occasionally a piece of fabric. Ministry Team members each create a shawl that will be given to someone in need of compassion. Through the process of creating a shawl, the shawl’s creators pray for the recipient. The group keeps in contact through email and through sharing patterns. Anyone is welcome to create a shawl.
Special Events
Spiritual Resources
Heartfelt - a newsletter produced by Logos Ministries, supports the spiritual development of families. It is designed for busy families who want to grow body, mind and spirit, and who want support and encouragement: http://www.thelogosministry.org/heartfelt.html.
Stillspeaking – a free email meditation every day. A team of gifted writers and pastors in the United Church of Christ collaborate on this daily spiritual email message. Included are a brief daily thought, a prayer, and a passage from scripture. You may subscribe at: http://i.ucc.org/FeedYourSpirit/Subscribe/tabid/101/Default.aspx.
