Adults

Adult Education

The mission of the Adult Education Ministry is to help every adult fulfill their potential as a disciple of Jesus Christ. To support this mission, we offer a variety of opportunities, including Bible studies, Inquirers’ Classes, topical classes, guest lecturers, and other occasional events.

If you have questions about Adult Education classes or the would like to join the Adult Education Ministry Team, please contact Noelle Castin, Director of Christian Education.

For recordings of classes since September 2021 on Vimeo, click here

For recordings of previous classes on YouTube, click here.

The Reformed Institute

The Meeting House is a founding member of the Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington. The Reformed Institute is a cooperative effort of several local Presbyterian churches, seeking to draw on the resources of the Reformed tradition to deepen our faith and understanding, and challenge our minds in the service of God. The Reformed Institute offers various classes, lectures, special events, and retreats, as well as providing a variety of resources through its website and Company of Teachers.

To learn more about upcoming Reformed Institute offerings visit reformedinstitute.org/events.

Sunday Morning Adult Education

Who are we and where are we heading as a worshipping community? A presentation following the two capstone worship services about Rev. Katherine’s doctoral process, with time for feedback and Q&A.

Each day is a gift from God. Join us in this dynamic 3-week class as we explore the gift of aging. Each week a new group of teachers will lead us in an exploration of the gifts, sorrows, joys, and practicalities of aging faithfully. Class leaders will include Mary Lee Anderson of Senior Services of Alexandria (Sept. 24), Elizabeth Kukla and her dog, Dieter, on the comfort of animals (Oct. 1), and Stephen Ministers Olivia Michener, Susan Grandy, Christine Heiby, and Jerry Stalun (Oct. 8).

September 24: Practical advice for Aging Well! Mary Lee Anderson, OPMH member and Executive Director of Senior Services of Alexandria, will share a wealth of information about topics regarding: ways to stay active and involved, staying in your home vs moving to a senior community, support services, the importance of downsizing and essentials for estate planning.

October 1: All are welcome to meet Elizabeth Kukla and her therapy dog, Dieter, and find out how they bring comfort to people in nursing homes as part of The Alliance of Therapy Dogs—and how to apply for a visit. She will discuss the differences between therapy dogs, service dogs and facility dogs, and the physical and emotional health benefits for seniors owning pets.

October 8: The Meeting House has been a Stephen Ministry congregation since 1995, joining the national Stephen Ministry outreach mission which launched in St. Louis in 1975. Our trained Stephen Ministers provide confidential support to adults in our congregation and community. In this session, we will share some personal experiences and explore how to find peace amidst life’s changes and challenges.

As the Meeting House continues to refine our role as a force for good and for effectuating God’s will for service-oriented leadership, we need to carefully steward our resources. This session will explore OPMH’s role in our community and the world, how we are currently situated financially, and how our congregation can further amplify our impact. We will consider relevant biblical touchstones for giving and how we can manifest our social justice objectives and preserving our unique historical character.

The Dismantling Racism Team invites you to learn about the intersection of community and faith through the actions of the Alexandria Community Remembrance Project (ACRP).

October 22: Gretchen Bulova, director of the Office of Historic Alexandria, will share how and why the Project was formed to memorialize the racially motivated lynchings that occurred in Alexandria in the late 1800’s. We will learn about the ACRP’s actions to date, and its plans for the future to educate the public. 

October 29: We will turn our attention to The National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, which honors lynching victims across the country. We will watch some of the documentary, They Are All Honored Here, and hear testimony from several Meeting House members and guests who have worked on or participated in ACRP events, or have visited the Memorial. 

 

At the end of 2021, a poll entitled “Jesus in America” examined American opinions and habits regarding religious life.  One surprising piece of data revealed that most everyone, regardless of religious profile, identified being outdoors or in nature is spiritually fulfilling.  The majority of those surveyed named it as the MOST spiritually fulfilling activity in their lives. So what does this mean for the church and how we gather? Do we continue to wait for people to come through our doors, or do we go where they already are- in nature? Join Jerusalem Greer to look at creative practices of gathering for worship in the great outdoors – the place where evangelism, creation care, and discipleship can grow together.

Jerusalem Jackson Greer is the manager for evangelism and discipleship for The Episcopal Church of America in the Office of Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry. She serves on the Council of Advice for Episcopal Relief & Development and on the board of Edible Theology, an educational ministry connecting the Communion table to tables we eat at every day. In addition to her work for The Episcopal Church, she is also a speaker, preacher, podcast host (Spade, Spoon, Soul), and the author of At Home in this Life: Finding Peace at the Crossroads of Unraveled Dreams and Beautiful Surprises, and A Homemade Year: The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting and Coming Together, as well as several faith-based curricula. You can learn more about her work at jerusalemgreer.com

In 2014 Jerusalem Greer and her family moved to a seven acre farm in Central Arkansas. Filled with plans and dreams of starting a CSA program and farm ministry they set about working the land, adopting animals, and remodeling the house – all with a “next day delivery” mentality. What the land, the animals, and even the house taught them about pace of life changed their faith – especially their understanding of scripture and prayer. Hear Jerusalem share her story and the spiritual practices that continue to shape her faith.

Jerusalem Jackson Greer is the manager for evangelism and discipleship for The Episcopal Church of America in the Office of Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry. She serves on the Council of Advice for Episcopal Relief & Development and on the board of Edible Theology, an educational ministry connecting the Communion table to tables we eat at every day. In addition to her work for The Episcopal Church, she is also a speaker, preacher, podcast host (Spade, Spoon, Soul), and the author of At Home in this Life: Finding Peace at the Crossroads of Unraveled Dreams and Beautiful Surprises, and A Homemade Year: The Blessings of Cooking, Crafting and Coming Together, as well as several faith-based curricula. You can learn more about her work at jerusalemgreer.com

Small Groups

We have an assortment of groups and programs planned for this fall, including music, art, Bible study, prayer, financial stewardship, and just plain conversation. These small groups will be offered on either Sunday mornings or during the week. For more information, contact Noelle Castin, Director of Christian Education.

Parents of all ages are welcome! Conversations will vary from week to week, exploring faith connections in our lives and parenting.

Sundays, 10:00-10:40 AM, Education Building Heaven

Facilitator: Noelle Castin, Director of Christian Education

Adults and youth, grades 6 and above are invited to a small group where we will use different art media as a spiritual practice. Art will help us connect to scripture and prayer. No special ability needed!

Sundays, 9:30 – 10:40 AM September 17-October 8, Flounder 1B

Facilitator: Mary Pratt Perry, Youth Director

Let’s connect! Come for fellowship, coffee, and conversation. Stay for the connections we’ll make with one another. Starting with one or two open-ended prompts, we’ll discuss our lives, growing in faith together. Stop by any or every Sunday.

Sundays, 9:30-10:30 AM, September 24-October 29, Elliot House Parlor

Facilitator: Katherine Stanford, Associate Pastor

Centering prayer is an ancient practice, easy to do, powerful to engage. Rev. Stanford will guide us in a repeated pattern of quiet prayer and reflection as we experience new aspects of our spirituality. Do not fear—no sitting cross-legged on the floor, chanting, or sharing aloud. Enjoy quiet time in our beautiful sanctuary Monday evenings, or during lunchtime Wednesdays from work or home on Zoom, as we grow in our prayer practice together.

Mondays, 6:00-6:30 PM, September 25-October 23, Sanctuary

Wednesdays, 12:00-12:30 PM, September 27-October 25, via Zoom

Facilitator: Rev. Katherine Stanford, Associate Pastor

How deep is God’s grace, God’s commitment to us? The stories of Genesis wrestle with such questions. When we enter into the world of the biblical text, we join in this struggle, seeking to discover how, and even if, we will trust ourselves to God’s grace and live into God’s promise. Join us for this 12-week study into the first book of the Bible.

Wednesdays, 10:30 AM or 7:00 PM, starting September 13, Elliot House Conference Room

Facilitator: Rev. James Sledge, Transitional Senior Pastor

We all know it is better to give than receive. Better to simplify than acquire. Better to be content than compare ourselves with others. But sometimes that’s hard to live out! Enough is an invitation to rediscover the Bible’s wisdom to experiencing contentment, overcoming fear, and discovering joy in our financial practices. This 4-week small group includes connections with other members and reading from Adam Hamilton’s short book Enough. Register to choose a meeting time and location:

Mondays, 8:00 PM (Sep 25-Oct 16) via Zoom

Tuesdays, 1:00 PM (Sep 26-Oct 17) Sandy & Anna Davis’s house (South Alexandria 22308)

Thursdays, 7:00 PM (Sep 28-Oct 19) Eric Johnson & Laura Campbell (Old Town Alexandria 22314)

This is a virtual small group that focuses on the scripture passages read and preached on each Sunday. We dig into the scripture texts for the coming Sunday, sharing our ideas about what they said to their original audience and what they might say to us today.

Thursdays 10:00 AM, Zoom

Facilitators: Linda Lanam and Priscilla Andre-Colton