text: At First Church, we honor the yearning for deeper relationships with one another and with God through many spiritual formation approaches, ranging from traditional Bible Study groups to Sunday morning sessions. Led by our ministers and other teachers in our community, a variety of small groups meet our needs in different ways at different seasons. Through study, small group participation, and retreats; through worship, art, and spiritual practice; through multigenerational inquiry and creative outlets, we are exploring what it means to be God’s people in a modern world.
  Our Adult Formation offerings on Sunday mornings are deep and varied. We offer staff- and lay-led presentations and discussions both before and after worship, either via Zoom or a hybrid gathering. Topics range from theological explorations of key themes in our tradition to book study to conversations on current events or the life of the church. All are welcome to participate, even if you are new to Christianity or First Church.
  In the 2023-2024 program year, our Sunday schedule includes Christian formation offerings are 9:30 a.m. and/or 12:30 p.m. Check the Sunday bulletin, First Glance (our e-newsletter), or our events calendar for a listing of upcoming formation programs.
  If you are looking for a way to dip your toes into the life of our church beyond worship, Faith & Life Groups are for you! Led by First Church members, Faith & Life Groups help us make meaningful connections with each other through shared interests, exploring spiritual practices, delving into a challenging social issue, or attending to significant life stages (parenting, aging, job transitions, etc.). Group participation requires a short-term commitment (a single session to several weeks, depending on the group) with the option to extend the experience if the group desires. We regularly hear stories from people who join our Faith & Life Groups that the experience is delightful and sometimes transformational experience.
  We host two to three sessions of Faith & Life groups each year: Fall, Lent, and Spring. Announcements of groups offerings and registration can be found in the Latest News section of our website, as well as in Sunday worship bulletins and First Glance, our weekly e-newsletter.
  Brent Coffin leads as we share in weekly reflection about biblical and contemporary texts, bringing these ancient and often confounding readings into conversation with our own stories and lives. Meetings typically begin on Tuesday mornings, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. A time of informal check-in starts promptly at 7:30, followed by framing remarks from Brent (or others), with space for intimate small group listening and sharing to follow. Visit the calendar on most Tuesdays for a zoom link to join!
  Join us for a weekly gathering to explore a contemplative approach to our spiritual life. Together we learn about, and practice, various approaches to accessing our inner world, with an eye to “doing the inner work of outer work” — seeing the relationship between reflective contemplation and action in the world. Calls are led by First Church friend Duncan Holloman, a psychotherapist, with an extensive background in both Buddhist and Christian contemplative practice.
  Join Martha Mueller Cook and Linda Ziebell for a monthly support group where we offer each other companionship and spiritual resources as we grow into our elderhood. Using Connie Zweig’s The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul as a resource, we will explore how we can move away from the ego and “shoulds” of our younger lives toward quieter, more peaceful inner spaces as we face our mortality.
  This group meets on the third Tuesdays of each month, 3 – 4:15 pm.
  Twice a year, during Advent and Lent, we choose a theme to accompany us through the season, exploring it during our formation programs and worship services. Recent Lenten themes have included “Making a Way Out of No Way,” “The Truth That Sets Us Free” and “Finding Courage in Community.” Advent and Lent are seasons in our life together that provide opportunities for deeper connection with each other and with God through these adult study programs.