Annual Report 2024-2025 - Flipbook - Page 31
BOARD OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH & ADULT EDUCATION
Chair: Anna Osborn
Vice Chair: Kristen Boldt
Secretary: Shari Simmons
Mission from Bylaws:
The Board of Spiritual Growth and Adult Education will plan,
implement, and encourage diverse opportunities for spiritual
growth, enrichment, and faith formation for adults and maintain
the library in the Center for Spiritual Growth.
Major Events/Achievements in 2024-2025:
The board planned and implemented the following
opportunities for the congregation this program year:
January Respite Retreat:
In late January the Board of Spiritual Growth facilitated a Winter
Respite Retreat. This retreat consisted of a series of three in-depth
sessions on a Saturday morning involving architectural tours of the
building, journaling, and meditation. Guest Dennis Kelly facilitated
guided mediation sessions and lead discussions on how mediation
can be used to create sanctuary within. We provided journals and
art supplies for participants to connect with sanctuary through
their creativity. Those that chose the tours experienced the many
visual symbols and stories involved in the building and history of
the church. They learned new terminology and were introduced
to the stories in the stained-glass windows in the sanctuary.
Community Outreach:
The Board of Spiritual Growth participated in a Roads to
Religion event sponsored by the Religion Department at Drake
University in February. Many other local religious groups from
the Des Moines area were present to provide information and
interact with diverse leaders. The energy in the room was
electric as dancers, instrumentalists and speakers brought joy and
commitment to the afternoon. Plymouth was able to interact
with many former friends from Other Religions Matter: a
program that involved congregation members in 2018.
Spirituality in the Arts Building Tours:
Architectural tours of the church have been created to share
the many visual symbols and stories involved in the building
and history of the church. They include new terminology and
introduce the stories in the stained-glass windows in the sanctuary.
The tours are taking place on an Ad Hoc basis and there is hope
more individual tours and the possibility for new members tours
and confirmation class tours will take place to familiarize members
and visitors to the details of our church home.
Pastors Book Study:
At times throughout the year, Pastors in partnership with lay
leaders will host a book study for congregants to attend and
discuss in small groups. This past season, the Board supported the
Pastors Book Study through the offering of snacks in fellowship.
The group read the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan
Williams’ 2014 book, Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist,
Prayer. The study was well attended, and reviews were positive
with members enjoying the additional interactions with the
pastoral staff.
In addition to the annual programming that was offered, the
board oversees several Committee efforts, each with their own
programming updates:
Faith Builders:
Eleven church members and one lay leader are nearing
completion of year three in the four-year study within the
Education for Ministry curriculum. The class meets weekly on
Mondays to discuss the assigned readings, two interlude texts,
engage in Theological Reflection and enjoy multiple forms of
prayer. In the coming year, the group will discuss changes to
the Education for Ministry course format that are being rolled
out nationwide, to include textbook revisions and new course
offerings for a short study class.
Theology in Film:
A small group of attendees averaging 15 members meet monthly
in Common Grounds to view and discuss films that have
Theological themes. The group is led by lay leaders, jointly
selecting the films for the year, securing viewing rights and
leading the discussion following the film viewing. Attendees
often bring snacks to share in this valuable fellowship time.
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