SAMPLE BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following are examples for promoting a Sunday morning adult education class but can be easily adapted for small groups meeting at other times and places.
Autumn of Christian Life: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss
Session 1
ADULT FORUM TODAY begins six journeys to help all generations ponder the years before and beyond retirement. This discussion series called Autumn of Christian Life: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss is one of four in The Seasons of Christian Life from LifeCrossings written by Dick and Judy Reuning. During the middle years physical, relational, professional, or psychological changes trigger a search for meaning for the first time for many people. The first journey or Session 1 led by _____ begins with the question “What’s it all about?” and helps participants of all ages evaluate their own ideas on the ultimate purpose of Christian Life. Get your morning coffee and come to the ___________ at ______. Next journey: “After the Chase – Am I Ready?”
Session 2
ADULT FORUM at ________: “After the Chase – Am I Ready?” in the LifeCrossings discussion series Autumn: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss. With leader _________ we will consider the evolving role of retirement in American culture, ways to prepare for it, and how to connect our faith to choices in later life. "Food for the Journey" points out that as God mandates Sabbath, we should prepare for a Sabbath from work. The pros and cons of moving are debated in an Encounter called “Autumn: Twenty-eight years and counting”. Next session: “Plentiful Harvest or Scarcity?”
Session 3
ADULT FORUM TODAY: Autumn of Christian Life: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss session 3 begins with a New Testament viewpoint of treasure. In the journey “Plentiful Harvest or Scarcity: Dreams or Nightmares?” you can evaluate your personal level of concern for your financial future and see how advantages and disadvantages accumulated over a lifetime impact choices in life and in retirement. Come to the ________ at _______ for another stimulating discussion and a new look at stewardship. Next journey: “Change and Loss.”
Session 4
ADULT FORUM TODAY at _________: Sarah is looking forward to retirement and travel with her husband when she finds herself sandwiched between responsibilities for her son who has bipolar disorder and her mother seriously ill in a nursing home. She wonders “Is There No Escape?” in “Change and Loss”, another journey in Autumn: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss. Participants will reflect on losses experienced in every season of life and the ways the Christian community can offer hope and support. Next session: “Why suffering? Why loss?”
Session 5
ADULT FORUM at _________ with leader ________: Autumn: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss today begins with the story of Job in "Food for the Journey" followed by a discussion of loss and suffering from a theological perspective and from personal experience as “A Questioning Christian asks: Why suffering? Why loss?” “What Can I Say?” elicits practical suggestions to support and encourage someone who is suffering. Next session: “Wisdom – Sharing across Generations.”
Session 6
ADULT FORUM TODAY concludes Autumn of Christian Life: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss on a joyful note with “Wisdom – Sharing across Generations”. We will look at the types of inter-generational discussion and planning that are needed by those in autumn of life and explore what “autumn” people can share with those in spring, summer and winter. Come to the ______ at ____ for stimulating interactions among those in various seasons of life.
The following are examples for promoting a Sunday morning adult education class but can be easily adapted for small groups meeting at other times and places.
Autumn of Christian Life: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss
Session 1
ADULT FORUM TODAY begins six journeys to help all generations ponder the years before and beyond retirement. This discussion series called Autumn of Christian Life: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss is one of four in The Seasons of Christian Life from LifeCrossings written by Dick and Judy Reuning. During the middle years physical, relational, professional, or psychological changes trigger a search for meaning for the first time for many people. The first journey or Session 1 led by _____ begins with the question “What’s it all about?” and helps participants of all ages evaluate their own ideas on the ultimate purpose of Christian Life. Get your morning coffee and come to the ___________ at ______. Next journey: “After the Chase – Am I Ready?”
Session 2
ADULT FORUM at ________: “After the Chase – Am I Ready?” in the LifeCrossings discussion series Autumn: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss. With leader _________ we will consider the evolving role of retirement in American culture, ways to prepare for it, and how to connect our faith to choices in later life. "Food for the Journey" points out that as God mandates Sabbath, we should prepare for a Sabbath from work. The pros and cons of moving are debated in an Encounter called “Autumn: Twenty-eight years and counting”. Next session: “Plentiful Harvest or Scarcity?”
Session 3
ADULT FORUM TODAY: Autumn of Christian Life: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss session 3 begins with a New Testament viewpoint of treasure. In the journey “Plentiful Harvest or Scarcity: Dreams or Nightmares?” you can evaluate your personal level of concern for your financial future and see how advantages and disadvantages accumulated over a lifetime impact choices in life and in retirement. Come to the ________ at _______ for another stimulating discussion and a new look at stewardship. Next journey: “Change and Loss.”
Session 4
ADULT FORUM TODAY at _________: Sarah is looking forward to retirement and travel with her husband when she finds herself sandwiched between responsibilities for her son who has bipolar disorder and her mother seriously ill in a nursing home. She wonders “Is There No Escape?” in “Change and Loss”, another journey in Autumn: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss. Participants will reflect on losses experienced in every season of life and the ways the Christian community can offer hope and support. Next session: “Why suffering? Why loss?”
Session 5
ADULT FORUM at _________ with leader ________: Autumn: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss today begins with the story of Job in "Food for the Journey" followed by a discussion of loss and suffering from a theological perspective and from personal experience as “A Questioning Christian asks: Why suffering? Why loss?” “What Can I Say?” elicits practical suggestions to support and encourage someone who is suffering. Next session: “Wisdom – Sharing across Generations.”
Session 6
ADULT FORUM TODAY concludes Autumn of Christian Life: Finding Meaning and Joy Amid Change and Loss on a joyful note with “Wisdom – Sharing across Generations”. We will look at the types of inter-generational discussion and planning that are needed by those in autumn of life and explore what “autumn” people can share with those in spring, summer and winter. Come to the ______ at ____ for stimulating interactions among those in various seasons of life.