Cornerstones at Fourth is a community of individuals 50+ years of age. Our goal is to provide opportunities to meet new friends and old for fellowship, dinner, and thought-provoking programs. We feature speakers on topics ranging from Arts and Culture to Current Events and including Science and Technology, Religion, Social Justice Issues, and Community Affairs.

Schedule and Location

We meet on the first Fridays of eight months of the year: February, April, May, June, and September- December. The events begin at 5:30 with time for fellowship; we offer dinner at 6:00, and our speakers begin at 6:30. Our meetings are held at the Gratz Center in either the Borwell Dining Room or Anderson Hall.

All Are Welcome

Cornerstones events are open to Fourth Church members and non-members. Although our target audience is individuals 50+years of age, we welcome adults of all age groups to our events.

Two-Tiered Registration

The charge for our events is $30 for dinner and speaker and $10 for Speaker Only. The fee covers meals and speaker expenses. Links to registration appear in the Sunday Bulletin, the periodic Cornerstones announcements, as well as in the weekly News@Fourth newsletter.

For more information about Cornerstones, please contact Nanette Sawyer.

Friday, February 6 • 5:30 p.m.
Predictions for the Oscars!

Register here

The 98th Academy Awards Oscar nominees will be announced on January 22 and awarded on March 15. But attendees at the first Cornerstones event of 2026 could know the winners on February 6!

Associate Pastor Matt Helms will offer his amazingly accurate and prescient predictions that evening in the Borwell Dining Room.

Friday, March 16 • 5:30 p.m.
What Are the Plans for Michigan Avenue?

As you walk along Michigan Avenue, do you wonder what the future holds for some nearby stores with boarded up windows?  Or for the many empty spaces in Water Tower Place? Join us to hear Eleanor Gorski, CEO of the Chicago Architecture Center, discuss plans for North Michigan Avenue.

Friday, May 1 • 5:30 p.m.
Hidden Gems and Some in Plain Sight: The Tour!

Join us as Andrea Denney, Rebecca Dixon, Samme Orwig, and Don Allerton guide us on a stimulating tour of some of the amazing architectural and interior design gems of our beautiful church. This expands on the insightful Adult Education Class they presented on November 16, 2025.

Friday, June 5 • 5:30 p.m.
Antisemitism and the Role of the Church
Rev. Dr. Robert Cathey, Emeritus Professor of Theology, McCormick Seminary will discuss the definitions and origins of antisemitism and anti-Judaism, and provide insights into understanding the history of the church’s perpetuation of antisemitism and how it shaped institutions and relationships. 

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