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Adult Education Opportunities

The adult education programs of Fourth Church provide short-term and ongoing education for our members, friends of the church, and the wider community, through both in-person and Zoom options.

Video Archive of Past Adult Education Classes
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CURRENT CLASS OFFERINGS

Prophetic Wisdom for a Hurting World

Sundays, September 7–21

Register here

September 7
Rev. Dr. Maisha Handy — President, McCormick Theological Seminary

September 14
Rev. Vicky Curtiss — Program Director, Siena Retreat Center

September 21
Rev. Amy Pagliarella — Parish Associate for Caring Ministries, Fourth Church

Using Franciscan priest and author Richard Rohr’s book The Tears of Things as a guide, we will study the teachings of the Hebrew prophets to understand how they can serve as a hope-filled model for life in our world today. Via this Old Testament wisdom, we will be able to gain tools for coping with evil and injustice in our own lives and ascertain the best way forward.

PC(USA)’s Pushback Project 2025 Initiative

Sundays, September 28, October 5, October 12
Register here

September 28
Dr. Andrew Peterson — Representative for Peacemaking, PC(USA) Office of Public Witness in conversation with Rev. Rocky Supinger

October 5
David Greising — President/CEO Better Government Association in conversation with Rev. Joe Morrow

October 12
Rev. Nanette Sawyer — Responses to Project 2025 by other local faith communities

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a long history of applying biblical and theologically based insights to issues that affect the public. Throughout this three-week series, we will learn about — and consider faithful responses to — the harmful effects of Project 2025 on our nation and church, Illinois and Chicago, and other faith communities.

Presbyterian Confessions of Resistance: Barmen and Belhar

Sunday, October 19
The Reverend Jeff Doane, former Fourth Church Parish Associate
Register here

On this first of two separate Sunday sessions, we will focus on the Barmen Declaration emerging from church leaders in Germany in 1934. Hitler and his forces sought to control all spheres of society, including the church.

What can we learn for our own societal circumstances in our country, and our need to resist as a faithful Christian community?

Copies of the Barmen Declaration will be available at Reception and on October 19; second class on the Belhar Confession to occur in Spring 2026.

The Reformation

Sundays, October 26, November 2 and 9
Dr. Ken Sawyer, Professor of Church History, McCormick Theological Seminary
Register here

Explore the Protestant Reformation through a broader historical and theological lens. Reformations should be an ongoing process, not just a series of events that happened 500 years ago.

What were Protestants protesting in the sixteenth century and what should we be protesting today to challenge the church and society to return to Reformation truths and Reformation truth-telling?

This three-session course will give new context to our faith tradition of “Reformed and always reforming.”

Hidden Gems, and Some in Plain Sight!

Sunday, November 16
Rev. Andrea Denney, Director of Operational Ministries
Register here

Look up and around you! Fourth Church has a wealth of art — painted, carved, or installed — on display all around us. . . so much of it that we may forget to look closely. This class focuses on the art above our heads (ceilings, walls, and spaces) and even at eye level and describes its symbolism or scriptural references, when it was installed, and the artists responsible. Increase your appreciation for the beauty of our church that we share with early twentieth century members whose contributions made this beauty possible.

What is a Presbytery and Why Should We Care?

Sundays, November 23, December 7
(Nov 30 is Thanksgiving weekend)

Rev. Ken Hockenberry, Stated Clerk and Business Manager, Chicago Presbytery
Register here

This two-week class will provide insight into the role and function of a presbytery, as well as the polity and governance system of the PC(USA). Rev. Hockenberry will show us the current and optimal connections between the local congregation member and the larger PC(USA).

Christmas Carol History and Sing-Along

Sunday, December 14
Kat Evans, Fourth Church member and professional actress
Register here

Again this year, by popular demand, the versatile Kat Evans will discuss the historical background of four Christmas carols and then lead us in song.

Poets on the Mystery of Christmas

Sunday, December 21
John Clum, Fourth Church member and Professor Emeritus, Duke University
Register here

Retired Duke English and Theater Professor John Clum will talk about how poets have presented the Christian mystery at the heart of the holiday from the seventeenth century to the twenty-first. Poems will include: Henry Vaughan, “The Nativity”; Christina Rossetti, “In the Bleak Midwinter”; T.S. Eliot, “Journey of the Magi”; and Mark Doty, “Messiah” (Christmas portions).

If you want to tap into the rich resources of previous classes, simply click on this link to find all the adult education classes that were recorded.

Videos of Tom Are’s Bible Study on Philippians

During the pandemic, Tom Are wrote a short book, Joy Even on Your Worst Days, which he calls “a preacher’s read of Philippians.”

Using the book as a guide, in autumn 2024 Tom led us in exploring the letter of Philippians, the most joyful writing in the Bible even though it was written while Paul was in prison.

You can view the four presentations from the Bible study here:

Video of Session 1
Video of Session 2
Video of Session 3
Video of Session 4

Give Us Your Input

To make an inquiry for information or to send evaluative comments, or to suggest a future course offering, email the Adult Education office.

Recommendation Form for a class or speaker
Proposal Form to submit a class of your own for consideration

Staff/Contact Information

Matt Helms
Associate Pastor
Email

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