faith formation
Adult Ministry
At Village, adult formation is a lifelong process of growing in faith and community, deepening our relationship with Jesus Christ and Christ’s body, the Church. A key element of the faith formation process is nurturing interest in community and pursuing greater understanding of the Bible and Christian tradition. Village Church offers a variety of continuing and short-term opportunities to grow our knowledge, in small groups and larger class settings.
Small Group Ministries
Village Connect groups are small groups of adults who meet once a month to share their lives with one another and to study a passage of scripture from the Bible. Some groups meet in homes while others meet at the church. Each gathering invites group members to build relationships with one another and to grow in their faith and faithfulness.
Adult Sunday Morning Classes
Join us on Sunday mornings at both worship locations and online for lively, vibrant, discussion-based classes for adults. Classes typically run on a semester schedule, with fall and spring sessions.
Village Forum (Mission)
9:30-10:30 a.m. Sundays, Sept. 7-Dec. 21, Rooms 126/127, Mission Campus. Weekly discussions led by class members, outside speakers, or Village staff members invite thoughtful dialogue and spiritual growth through the discussion of theological, social, spiritual, and historical topics. Sept. 7-28 Dr. Leslie Dorrough Smith, dean of arts and sciences at Avila University, will lead a discussion on conflict resolution from an ethics perspective drawing from the book “Dignity” by Donna Hicks. Oct. will feature the video series “The Bible With & Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently” by Amy-Jill Levine. Advent will focus on the reflections of Diana Butler Bass on her Substack “The Cottage.” Facilitated by Jim Gibson and Rev. Jay McKell, retired Village Church pastor.
The Faith Journey (Mission)
10:10-10:50 a.m., Sundays, Sept. 7-Dec. 21, Room 124, Mission Campus. This group values study of various sources, discussion, sharing our diverse understandings of faith, and being a caring, supportive community seeking to grow in our faith journey. This fall, we will read and discuss “Holy Envy” by Barbara Brown Taylor and “I Asked for Wonder” by Abraham Heschel. Facilitated by Kathy Ray.
Traditional Adult Education (Antioch)
9-10 a.m. Sundays, Oct. 5-Dec. 21, Library, Antioch Campus.
- Oct. 5: Adult Education Preview/Schedule Change Q&A.
- Oct. 12-26: Sound and Science: God’s Wonders to Perform. Taught by our principal organist, Dr. Jan Kraybill.
- Nov. 2-16: Ministry and Mission Partners Open House. For this class we’ll host our community and ministry partners to tell us more about what it is they do and how we can make an impact. We’ll hear from organizations like the Good Faith Network, the Mainstream Coalition, Habitat for Humanity, and the Village Church Food Pantry.
- Nov. 30-Dec. 21: She Prepares the Way: A Study of the Women in Matthew’s Genealogy. We will combine with the Parent Fellowship Class for our Advent session, taught by Rev. Anna Owens.
Parent Fellowship Class (Antioch)
9-10 a.m. Sundays, Oct.12-Dec. 21, Multipurpose Room, Antioch Campus.
- Oct. 12-Nov. 16: Village Connect. We’ve heard from several of you—our parents of young and young-ish children—that you’re interested in the Village Connect group and curriculum, but regular nighttime commitments are difficult to fit into busy schedules. For six weeks this fall, we’ll work through the Village Connect curriculum, written by Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka. Class participants will rotate leadership/facilitator responsibilites.
- Nov. 30-Dec. 21: She Prepares the Way: A Study of the Women in Matthew’s Genealogy. We will combine with the Traditional Adult Education class for our Advent session, taught by Rev. Anna Owens.
Foundations of Faith (Online)
11 a.m.-noon Sundays, Sept. 14-Nov. 23, online only (see below for Zoom info).
Theology, archeology and science unite in this fall’s study of the origins and vital significance of Jerusalem. Facilitated by Diann Markley and Rev. Dwight Tawney, retired Village Church pastor.
Join on Zoom. Meeting ID: 836 9076 8869, Passcode: 926588
rev. dr. robert f. meneilly
Visiting Scholar
The Meneilly Visiting Scholar program brings biblical scholars and theologians to Village Church for a community-focused weekend of presentations and conversation about modern topics that matter. Our Meneilly Scholars challenge us with fresh and innovative, yet well supported perspectives on theological topics; increase our understanding of the wisdom of the past; and engage us to honor and faithfully serve the God we worship and upon whom we rely.
Contact Adult Faith Formation
Questions or ideas? For more information about adult ministries at Village Church, contact Désireé Keyes.