Adult Education
Faith Formation and Exploration as a Lifelong Journey
At Hancock Church, worship is relevant, thoughtful and inclusive.  We strive for the same qualities in our programs for adult learners.  We believe that learning is a lifelong, integral aspect of our spiritual development as well as a way to build and strengthen community.  We encourage you to join us, wherever you are on your journey of faith and spiritual development.
Our goals for all adult Christian education offerings are to:
Broaden recognition of the power of learning for bringing people closer to each other and to God.
Encourage regular participation in learning as a cultural norm at Hancock.
Coordinate learning experiences at Hancock with other aspects of worship, outreach, and community building.
Faith Formation and Exploration as a Lifelong Journey
At Hancock Church, worship is relevant, thoughtful and inclusive.  We strive for the same qualities in our programs for adult learners.  We believe that learning is a lifelong, integral aspect of our spiritual development as well as a way to build and strengthen community.  We encourage you to join us, wherever you are on your journey of faith and spiritual development. Our goals for all adult Christian education offerings are to:
 
-Broaden recognition of the power of learning for bringing people closer to each other and to God.

-Encourage regular participation in learning as a cultural norm at Hancock.

-Coordinate learning resources at Hancock with other aspects of worship, outreach and community building.

Lent 2012 Small Groups Offerings

Book Group: Beginner’s Grace: Bringing Prayer to Life by Kate Breaestrup
Days: Thursdays, March 8, 15, 22 and 29
Time: 10-11:30 a.m.
Leader: Joy Fallon, Congregational Care Coordinator

Ever wondered if prayer could be a real part of your life, and what would happen if it were? Author Braestrup teaches us how to pray, based on her experience as a chaplain to search and rescue teams in the Maine woods, using honest, funny and touching stories, very practical suggestions, and beautiful, clear prayers. She helps us want to develop a prayer practice, starting with a simple pattern of grace before meals, then chapters on the things we so often wonder about: praying our fears, speechless prayers, and finding the right words. For questions, contact Joy Fallon at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Book Group: My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge and Belonging by Rachel Naomi Remen,
M.D.
Days: Mondays, February 27, March 5, March 12
Time: 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Leader: Rev. C.J. “Pete” LaSonde

Dr. Remen’s book, a national bestseller, contains many short, thoughtful and hopeful reflections based on her many years of counseling patients facing terminal illness. In this group, any of us suffering grief or loss can learn with others in our faith community about bereavement. Pete LaSonde worked for years as a pastoral counselor, led spirituality groups at both Brookhaven and the Lexington Senior Center, and suffered the loss of his own wife several years ago. Come to explore loss and grief: listen, share, or both. Participants are asked to plan on attending all three sessions. For any questions, contact Pete at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Book Group: Take This Bread by Sara Miles
Days: Tuesdays, February 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Leader: Brian Gruhn

As humans, we are imperfect, aching for wholeness without ever being completely whole. As Christians we are called to follow Christ in the work of healing others, acting in the world as, what Henri Nouwen called, "Wounded Healers." But what does it mean to heal and be healed? How is healing an act of faith, and how/why does our faith call us to heal others? Throughout Lent our HEALING Small Group will experiment with various kinds of Healing: physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and communal. We will journey throughout the Lenten season with Sara Miles' book Take This Bread, her memoir in which she tells about how she came to experience Healing by encountering God in the service of others. Know your need, and come taste God's abundant grace! For questions, contact Brian Gruhn at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Bible Study: Acts of the Apostles Bible Study
Days: Sundays
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.
Leader: Dana Allen Walsh

Throughout worship in Lent, we will be experiencing stories from the Acts of the Apostles. This is a chance to study those stories more in depth. After the four gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, Acts is the next act! The story continues in surprising ways and Acts tells the story of a new and emerging church, led by the apostles. The book is full of rollicking good stories and reminds us that we need a sense of excitement and adventure to be a follower of Jesus! Information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Study Group: "Promises to Keep" by Paul Shupe
Day: Sundays, February 26, and March 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 8:30-9:30 am
Leader: Paul Shupe

On the day of our baptism, we made some promises to God and to the church, (or, if we were children, they were made for us). Using a curriculum written for this class, we'll examine the promises made, and talk about how we must act if we are to keep them. This is the perfect class for individuals and families preparing for baptism, and for any person looking forward to renewing their baptismal promises on April 1. Information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Book Group: Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
Days: Sundays March 4, 11, 18 and 25
Time: 5-6pm
Leader: Eric Sherlock, Seminarian

Ever wonder about social justice? Ever wonder about how social justice connects with Christianity? Ever wonder how the cause for social justice can be influenced by your personal Christian faith? As we struggle today with issues of poverty, racism and spiritual disengagement, Howard Thurman's discerning reading of the Gospel helps us to discover the self-love as exemplified in the life and work of Jesus. Challenging our submersion into individual and social isolation, Thurman suggests a reading of the Gospel that recovers a manual resistance for the poor and disenfranchised. Journey with us through Lent and discover how Jesus advocated a love of self and others that defeats the fear and hatred so real in the world around us. Information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Drawing from the Well…
7:15 pm First and Third Sundays starting January 15

Bible Study continues on the First and Third Sundays each month after Hancock’s evening worship service at The Well:

 

•       The Bible study group is for learners and seekers, so whether you know a lot, or very little about the great themes of the Bible, you are welcome.  Seminarian Brian Gruhn will be our leader.  If you are wondering how you might improve your biblical literacy, this will help.  If you would like to practice bringing biblical themes into your daily life, this will help.  If you just want to open the pages in the company of other seekers, this will help!  Meeting dates:  First and Third Sundays beginning January 15.  Location:  Pearson Room.

All are welcome -- members of Hancock Church, members of our community, friends and visitors. Join us from 7:15 until 8:15 PM to share, learn, reflect and enjoy each other’s company.  For more information, contact:   Brian Gruhn or Margy Keeping, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Pastor’s Class
8:30 am Sunday Mornings
Explores the Christian church yesterday, today, and tomorrow and examines major theological issues that have been debated throughout the centuries:  the divinity of Christ, authority for ministry, relation of church and state, and of church and culture.  Also reviews the roots of the UC.  Within each topic, the pace and focus of the discussion are tailored to the questions of those present.  Everyone is welcome – no pre-requisites.  Each session stands on its own.   Attend whenever you can.  Meets 8:30-9:30 Sunday mornings in the Pearson Room.  Led by the Rev. Paul Shupe.

For more information, contact:  Sandra Shaw,   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Theology on Tap – Young Adults
7:30 pm Third Monday Evenings
Monthly conversations on theological issues of interest to adults ages 21-35. Meetings are off-site and led by the Rev. Dana Allen-Walsh.

For more information, contact:   Sarah Keeping, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 

Talking Faith
First Tuesday Evenings - Dates, Time and Location Announced Monthly
Monthly wide-ranging conversations on theological issues, in a relaxed social setting.  For adults of all ages.  Come enjoy the fellowship, the learning, the lively sharing of ideas and faith experiences.  Led by the Rev. Paul Shupe.

 

For more information, contact:  Daryl Battin,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Book Discussion Group
9:30 am First Thursday Mornings, Wilson Room
The First Thursday Discussion, led by Dana Allen Walsh, is discussing Kate Braestrup’s Here If You Need Me.   Widely and favorably reviewed, the book is available in Potter Library.  Amazon’s provides the following  synopsis: “HERE IF YOU NEED ME is the story Kate Braestrup's remarkable journey from grief to faith to happiness - as she holds her family together in the wake of her husband's death, pursues his dream of becoming a minister, and ultimately finds her calling as a chaplain to search-and-rescue workers. It is dramatic, funny, deeply moving, and simply unforgettable--an uplifting account of finding God through helping others, and of the small miracles that happen every day when a heart is grateful and love is restored.”

 

For more information, contact:  Lois Smith Martin,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 781-270-0304.

 

 

Going Together…A Time for Going Into the Community Together…

Join others from Hancock for fun, fellowship, learning and volunteer opportunities nearby. Want to go as a group?   Dine together before or after?  Need transportation?  Let us know your interests and we’ll help coordinate.   Or, just look for your Hancock friends when you get there. For details and registration information about individual events, see the sponsor website.   Next up:

January 21 (8 pm) “Rethinking Cities and Suburbs” with Edward Glaeser.  Cary Lecture Series.  Contact Sally Wyman, 781-861-1929.

 

Women’s Retreat

May 18-19, Essex Conference Center, Essex, Massachusetts

More information coming soon….

 

Small Planet Suppers -- in collaboration with HEAT and other committees

Coming soon… Small Planet Suppers, an exploration of tips and recipes (and possibly potluck dinners) for eating lower on the food chain.  Take action for social justice and environmental stewardship, eat well and save money – all at the same time.  Watch for more information here and in the Hancock Weekly email.

We would love to hear your suggestions and recommendations as well! Please send messages to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 
 

Current Menu

Newsflash

Sunday, Feb. 5: 10 am Morning Worship. Communion. Epiphany. The Rev. Paul Shupe preaching.

Sunday, Feb. 12: 10 am Morning Worship. Epiphany. The Rev. Dana Allen Walsh preaching.

Sunday, Feb. 12: 6:15 pm Worship @ the Well. Seminarian Eric Sherlock preaching.

Sunday, Feb. 19: 10 am Morning Worship. Epiphany. The Rev. Paul Shupe preaching.

Sunday, Feb. 19: 6:15 pm Worship @ the Well. The Rev. Paul Shupe preaching.

Wednesday, Feb. 22: 7 pm Evening Worship. Ash Wednesday.

Sunday, Feb. 26: 10 am Morning Worship. Lent 1. The Rev. Paul Shupe preaching.

Sunday, Feb. 26: 6:15 pm Worship @ the Well. Congregational Care Coordinator Joy Fallon.

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