A Place to Grow

Fostering Free Inquiry

At Federated Church, we like to say that we are diverse in opinion, but united in Christ. Indeed we believe the more faith perspective that can be brought to bear on a subject the better it will be understood for the good of all. Plan now to be a part of the following opportunities to come together, share our various points of view and be one with God and each other.

Fostering Free Inquiry: One Great Read

As the title indicates, this program is devoted to group studies of thought-provoking books. Past One Great Reads have included Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Daniel Quinn's Ishmael, Walter Wink's Engaging the Powers and Brian McClaren's Generous Orthodoxy.

This year Federated will be taking up the following books at the following times:

American Gospel by Jon Meacham

Written by the managing editor of Newsweek, American Gospel examines more than 200 years of American history in its quest to prove that the idea of religious tolerance, along with the separation of church and state, is "perhaps the most brilliant American success." Meacham's principle focus is on the founding fathers, and his insights into the religious leaning of Jefferson, Franklin, Adams and Co., present a new way of considering the government they created.

All sessions will be held August 19 through September 30 at 9:00 a.m. in the parlor.

Fostering Free Inquiry: Theology Theater

Take a seat, some popcorn and a moment to consider the perspectives of faith and life as they appear in popular culture. Past showings have included Glory, Cool Hand Luke, The Natural, The Fisher King and What Dreams May Come.

This year Federated's Theology Theater will be showing the following:

The Gospel According to the Simpsons

If you believe in the power of popular culture to teach Christian theology, ethics and values, then one need look no farther than Matt Groening's animated television series The Simpsons.

Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie made their debut in the late 1980s, in a series of short animated sketches that played between skits on The Tracy Ullman Show. These shorts -- which poked fun at typical family activities like going to zoos and funerals and singing creepy bedtime lullabies -- were a hit on the animation-festival circuit, and it wasn't long before this wonderfully dysfunctional family was given its own half-hour show, beginning with a Christmas special in 1989.

Currently holding the record for the longest-running television series and the subject of a recently-released motion picture, the Simpson family and their neighbors in Springfield have been both praised and pilloried for the way in which they confront issues of faith and life.

Group discussions will be held at 9:00 a.m. in the parlor from Sunday, October 7 through Sunday, November 25.

Other Discipleship Offerings

    ◊   Life Long Bible Study

    ◊   Practicing the Spiritual Disciplines

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