Adult Formation gracestlukes.org/adult-formation

April 23, The Third Sunday of Easter Resurrection, God, and the Believers in Rome according to Paul with Dr. Mitzi Minor, Week Two, 9:15–10:15 a.m . Longtime GSL friend and a biblical scholar Dr. Minor of Memphis Theological Seminary will continue her two-week presentation and conversation based on the letter to the Romans in which St. Paul discusses what resurrection says about God and about how we live as children of such a God.

April 23, Small Group Bible Study, 9:15–10:15 a.m. Join a discussion about the Sunday’s bible readings led by faithful GSL members. Location: Peete Room

April 30, The Fourth Sunday of Easter. Holding on to Hope with the Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, 9:15–10:15 a.m. Christian adults, youth, and children are called to embrace hope in all things and times. In his 2020 book, Love Is The Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times, Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offers that love is the way to discover deep reservoirs of hope and resilience, simple wisdom, the discipline of nonviolence, and unshakable regard for human dignity. What better teaching can there be in Eastertide for all ages especially children “growing up in an unsteady and confusing world”? Join Father Ollie Rencher and guests including a child psychologist for a conversation that intends to empower participants with practical tools for holding on to hope. April 30, Small Group Bible Study, 9:15–10:15 a.m. Join a discussion about the Sunday’s bible readings led by faithful GSL members. Location: Peete Room

May 7, The Fifth Sunday of Easter. Church Health Partnering with Memphis and the GSL Food Pantry with Dr. Scott Morris, 9:15–10:15 a.m. Celebrating 35 years (September 2022) of caring for one another, Church Health provides medical services through partnerships with healthcare providers, diagnostic centers, hospitals, and nutrition experts. Last year, the GSL Food Pantry (founded 1975) started an evolving partnership with Church Health to provide meals that promote health and prevent illness to patrons through frozen healthy meals prepared by a growing number of GSL cooking teams. Join GSL friend Scott Morris, MD, M.Div., and other Church Health team members for a conversation to learn more about the power of God’s work being done throughout our community.

May 7, Small Group Bible Study, 9:15–10:15 a.m. Join a discussion about the Sunday’s bible readings led by faithful GSL members. Location: Peete Room

May 14, The Sixth Sunday of Easter. The Challenges and Joys of Intergenerational Ministry with Anthony Calzia, 9:15–10:15 a.m. The church has gone through many seasons in its long life. One recent season has seen a growing gap between the generations. Terms like Gen X, Gen Z, the Baby Boomers and Millennials have become common, but what does the generational gap mean for parish life and spiritual formation? There is a growing energy around an old idea: intergenerational ministry! Research and experience suggest one productive way forward is to structure parish life around bringing the church’s youngest, oldest, and everyone in between together for meals, play, study, and worship. Join our Director of Children and Family Ministry Anthony Calzia for an introduction and some practical possibilities for GSL in the years to come!

May 14, Small Group Bible Study, 9:15–10:15 a.m. Join a discussion about the Sunday’s bible readings led by faithful GSL members. Location: Peete Room

May 21, The Seventh Sunday of Easter. The Spiritual Meaning and Power of Shalom with Rabbi Micah Greenstein, 9:15–10:15 a.m. What does the Hebrew word “shalom” or “peace” mean at a deeper level? Offered for centuries in a myriad of ways from one to another including during the worship services of many faiths, this substantial word conveys a spiritual meaning and power worth unpacking. For the last Spring 2023 Sunday forum, join Rabbi Micah in Trezevant Hall for a presentation and conversation. Rabbi Micah serves as Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel, a Reform congregation and spiritual home for more than half of the affiliated Jewish community in Memphis and the Mid-South that holds a preeminent role in Reform Judaism nationwide.

May 21, Small Group Bible Study, 9:15–10:15 a.m. Join a discussion about the Sunday’s bible readings led by faithful GSL members. Location: Peete Room

May 28, The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday includes Baptisms. No Forum or Bible Study: Community Fellowship

June 4, The First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday. No Forum or Bible Study: Community Fellowship, switch to summer schedule