Spiritual Nurture

Working closely with worship staff, the Spiritual Nurture Cordinator at Hillhurst provides opportunities for people to expand and deepen their spirituality, modify old beliefs and gain new understandings. We strive to meet the needs of both mature learners and new seekers. To this end, a number of workshops are offered throughout the year. Alternate worship opportunities are made available through Fire and Grace, a contemplative service held on the first and fourth Wednesdays of the month.

The Spiritual Nurture coordinator welcomes your requests and ideas. We are eager to hear from you. Contact us here.

Lunch to Live By

Every Wednesday at noon. Bring your lunch and join a discussion of the scripture for the following Sunday refection. No pre-registration required.

Religious Refugees, Mondays - February 27, March 5 and 12 from 7-9 pm

 Three evenings led by Joanne Anquist (who was raised in a conservative Christian community). Many of you in our community come from different faith traditions.  You are here for various reasons, but some of you feel like “refugees” from your previous churches. Others have been members of the United Church but are not resonating with the things they learned as a child. Some of us have no faith tradition in our background. Perhaps you are hearing and struggling with different ideas about God, the Bible, Jesus and the place of faith in your life.  Over three evenings, we will share our stories of spiritual awakening, discuss how to read the Bible in an affirming way, who God is to us, and how we journey with Jesus. 

February 27: “What Kind of a Christian Are You Anyway?”

There isn’t just one path to being a “Follower of the Way.” We’ll look at different Christian traditions, share stories of faith dislocation, and try to crystalize what Christianity is in our context. Gregory J. Riley’s book “One Jesus, Many Christ’s” will frame our discussion.

March 5: “Baggage-Free Bible.” 

The Bible is said to be the “Word of God”, but has so many stories and sayings that are offensive to our understanding, or our intellect. What do we do with the “Good Book” when it’s not so good? Can we reclaim the Bible in a way that doesn’t compromise our progressive faith?  We’ll talk about the different types of books in the Bible, and learn how to read in context to find the ultimate meaning that applies to our modern lives…or not! Karen Armstrong’s book “The Bible: A Biography” will provide the context. 

March 12: “I’ve Looked at Faith from Both Sides Now”

Some of the beliefs and rituals of our early faith still comfort us, and sometimes our emerging faith seems to lack substance or conviction. How do we embrace God so that wonder and mystery inspires our living? Can we “share” our faith with others with integrity? Will we ever be at home again? Using Song and ritual as touchstones, we’ll share stories of “God Moments” that ground our faith.

You are encourage to attend all three but if you can only come to one, please do. Registration here is appreciated.

Stumbling Blocks to Faith, Monday evenings - March 19, 26, April 2 from 7-9pm

What does the cross have to do with faith? Is life after death a myth or reality? Led by John Pentland.

March 19 - Was Mary really a virgin?

March 26 - Did God kill Jesus?

April 2 - The Empty Tomb - Life after death?