SAMPLE CHURCH 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.
From Here to Community: Enhancing Christian Community in Today’s Society
ADULT FORUM BEGINNING TODAY is a new discussion group for adults that will meet in the _____________ for twelve weeks led by ________________. Session 1 of From Here to Community is called “The Connecting Link” – the Christian community. See how our church can help individual Christians connect their faith with life’s challenges and choices. The series, written by Dick and Judy Reuning, will help participants become a community that is a safe place for discussion, learning, support and sharing and also eager to expand mission beyond our walls. Next week: “The Balancing Act – Me or Us?”
Session 2
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – “The Balancing Act – Me or Us?” raises the question about our choices in an encounter with two men at a “working breakfast” where the conversation turns to the competition and fairness in the workplace. How can I find a God-pleasing balance between by own self-interest and the well-being of others? Add your thoughts to the discussion in the ___________ at ______ with leader ____________. Next session: “The Culture of Separation – What about Others?”
Session 3
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – in the _____________ at _______: “The Culture of Separation – What about Others?” Are my relationships simply “a gathering of the similar” or are we “connected by tradition and commitment to others?” Is our church a safe place to share our cares, our fears, our joys with Christian friends or are we a gathering of strangers? Session 3 provides a look at the pressures of life that separate us from others and explores how our own church can provide the connection to God and to others. Next week: “Social Capital – Lost and Found”
Session 4
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – Biblical and contemporary stories frame this session “Social Capital – Lost and Found” which continues our look at Christians in our individualistic society as well as the current decline of social capital (connection with others). The Biblical reference in "Food for the Journey" relates the story of the paralyzed man whose friends carried him to Jesus for healing. We also encounter an unexpected Thanksgiving visitor new to the city and in need of an AA meeting that very day. Join the conversation led by _____________ at ______ in the ____________. Next week: “Who are we? Where do we find identity?”
Session 5
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community in the __________ at ________– In Session 5 “Who are we? Where do we find identity?” the emphasis shifts from considering the societal factors that affect individuals in America to looking specifically at the Christian community and how essential it is to living a Christian life. We begin with a mini-drama based on the book of Philemon to explore the challenges, mind-set and urgency of the early Christian church. Take a fresh look at this story from the vantage point of those meeting in the house church. Next session: “Why Community? Good news in difficult situations”
Session 6
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – In “Why Community? Good news in difficult situations” we encounter two complex situations involving serious moral issues and choices that are difficult to make alone. How should the Christian community care for and support others in a crisis? How does our church respond to someone making a difficult moral choice? How do we know someone needs help? Let’s talk about this today at ________ in the ___________. Discussion leader is __________ . Next week: “Expect to be different!”
Session 7
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – Session 7 “Expect to be different!” explores how the Christian and the Christian community have a different view than mainstream society of what’s important and a different view of how to act. Food for the Journey offers some Biblical advice. We will have a chance to evaluate ourselves and our Christian community and affirm our “differentness.” Share your thoughts in the __________ at __________. Next week: “Using our gifts”
Session 8
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community in the __________ at ________– This session “Using our gifts” begins in "Food for the Journey" with St. Paul reminding the people of Corinth that their gifts from the Spirit are not a reason for boasting but are given to build up all members of the church. A conversation set in a modern church will emphasize the gifts (attitudes, skills and individual actions as well as programs and group activities) that help other people and/or renew community. Join the conversation with discussion leader _____________. Next session: “Small Groups”
Session 9
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – In Session 9 “Small Groups” we will compare three types of small groups (Jesus’ disciples, a long established Care Group, and a newly formed women’s group) and also look at current research on what people in small groups do best. Come to the ____________ at ________ and add your ideas as we brainstorm on new possibilities for our own church. Next week: “Our church: Isolated, Partnering or Full Service?”
Session 10
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community in the __________ at ________– In “Our church: Isolated, Partnering or Full Service?” the focus shifts from looking at the characteristics of a Christian community and the crucial help it gives us in following Jesus’ example to looking at the response of the Christian community to outside forces. Don’t miss this chance to evaluate ourselves and discuss potential ways to connect with the larger community. Next week: “Working for the Common Good”
Session 11
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – continues today with “Working for the Common Good.” Be inspired by the Bible to work for justice and the good of others. We will explore social services, advocacy, and church-based community organizing to see how our Christian community can help us follow Jesus’ example in contemporary culture. Add your voice to the discussion led by ____________ in the ____________ at ________. This series concludes next week with “A Better Community: Dreaming and Acting”
Session 12
ADULT FORUM completes the series From Here to Community today in __________ at __________. As we begin “dreaming and acting for a better community,” you are needed for individual reflection and for non-judgmental discernment with one or two others. We will conclude via respectful and Christ-centered discussion with all present by laying specific plans for making a difference in the lives of others as we move forward together.
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.
From Here to Community: Enhancing Christian Community in Today’s Society
ADULT FORUM BEGINNING TODAY is a new discussion group for adults that will meet in the _____________ for twelve weeks led by ________________. Session 1 of From Here to Community is called “The Connecting Link” – the Christian community. See how our church can help individual Christians connect their faith with life’s challenges and choices. The series, written by Dick and Judy Reuning, will help participants become a community that is a safe place for discussion, learning, support and sharing and also eager to expand mission beyond our walls. Next week: “The Balancing Act – Me or Us?”
Session 2
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – “The Balancing Act – Me or Us?” raises the question about our choices in an encounter with two men at a “working breakfast” where the conversation turns to the competition and fairness in the workplace. How can I find a God-pleasing balance between by own self-interest and the well-being of others? Add your thoughts to the discussion in the ___________ at ______ with leader ____________. Next session: “The Culture of Separation – What about Others?”
Session 3
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – in the _____________ at _______: “The Culture of Separation – What about Others?” Are my relationships simply “a gathering of the similar” or are we “connected by tradition and commitment to others?” Is our church a safe place to share our cares, our fears, our joys with Christian friends or are we a gathering of strangers? Session 3 provides a look at the pressures of life that separate us from others and explores how our own church can provide the connection to God and to others. Next week: “Social Capital – Lost and Found”
Session 4
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – Biblical and contemporary stories frame this session “Social Capital – Lost and Found” which continues our look at Christians in our individualistic society as well as the current decline of social capital (connection with others). The Biblical reference in "Food for the Journey" relates the story of the paralyzed man whose friends carried him to Jesus for healing. We also encounter an unexpected Thanksgiving visitor new to the city and in need of an AA meeting that very day. Join the conversation led by _____________ at ______ in the ____________. Next week: “Who are we? Where do we find identity?”
Session 5
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community in the __________ at ________– In Session 5 “Who are we? Where do we find identity?” the emphasis shifts from considering the societal factors that affect individuals in America to looking specifically at the Christian community and how essential it is to living a Christian life. We begin with a mini-drama based on the book of Philemon to explore the challenges, mind-set and urgency of the early Christian church. Take a fresh look at this story from the vantage point of those meeting in the house church. Next session: “Why Community? Good news in difficult situations”
Session 6
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – In “Why Community? Good news in difficult situations” we encounter two complex situations involving serious moral issues and choices that are difficult to make alone. How should the Christian community care for and support others in a crisis? How does our church respond to someone making a difficult moral choice? How do we know someone needs help? Let’s talk about this today at ________ in the ___________. Discussion leader is __________ . Next week: “Expect to be different!”
Session 7
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – Session 7 “Expect to be different!” explores how the Christian and the Christian community have a different view than mainstream society of what’s important and a different view of how to act. Food for the Journey offers some Biblical advice. We will have a chance to evaluate ourselves and our Christian community and affirm our “differentness.” Share your thoughts in the __________ at __________. Next week: “Using our gifts”
Session 8
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community in the __________ at ________– This session “Using our gifts” begins in "Food for the Journey" with St. Paul reminding the people of Corinth that their gifts from the Spirit are not a reason for boasting but are given to build up all members of the church. A conversation set in a modern church will emphasize the gifts (attitudes, skills and individual actions as well as programs and group activities) that help other people and/or renew community. Join the conversation with discussion leader _____________. Next session: “Small Groups”
Session 9
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – In Session 9 “Small Groups” we will compare three types of small groups (Jesus’ disciples, a long established Care Group, and a newly formed women’s group) and also look at current research on what people in small groups do best. Come to the ____________ at ________ and add your ideas as we brainstorm on new possibilities for our own church. Next week: “Our church: Isolated, Partnering or Full Service?”
Session 10
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community in the __________ at ________– In “Our church: Isolated, Partnering or Full Service?” the focus shifts from looking at the characteristics of a Christian community and the crucial help it gives us in following Jesus’ example to looking at the response of the Christian community to outside forces. Don’t miss this chance to evaluate ourselves and discuss potential ways to connect with the larger community. Next week: “Working for the Common Good”
Session 11
ADULT FORUM: From Here to Community – continues today with “Working for the Common Good.” Be inspired by the Bible to work for justice and the good of others. We will explore social services, advocacy, and church-based community organizing to see how our Christian community can help us follow Jesus’ example in contemporary culture. Add your voice to the discussion led by ____________ in the ____________ at ________. This series concludes next week with “A Better Community: Dreaming and Acting”
Session 12
ADULT FORUM completes the series From Here to Community today in __________ at __________. As we begin “dreaming and acting for a better community,” you are needed for individual reflection and for non-judgmental discernment with one or two others. We will conclude via respectful and Christ-centered discussion with all present by laying specific plans for making a difference in the lives of others as we move forward together.