Living Our Faith Together (The LOFT) –
Opportunities to Share and Grow

What does it mean to be a person of faith in this time? Where do we go with our questions, our doubts, our hunches, our wisdom, and our longings? How can we try on new ideas and new practices to grow our Christian faith and deepen our capacity to live in a moment such as this? What traditions can we lean on to become more grounded and resilient and faithful? Are there places where we can receive support while supporting others?

Living Our Faith Together (aka The LOFT) is a new space to live into the questions and deepen our spiritual practices. It builds on the St. John’s tradition of Adult Sunday School and Adult Bible Study, and offers opportunities for adult faith formation and occasional intergenerational engagement.

Beginning in October, at 9:00 on Sunday mornings (between the early and late services), we will gather each week to explore and reflect on a wide range of topics connected to our faith. This is a space where theological reflection and personal storytelling enrich each other, and where expanding religious experience can also mean expanding our understanding of the human spirit and the Christian tradition which grounds us. There will be other opportunities beyond 9:00 Sunday mornings as well.

We will begin with a LOFTy breakfast open to all on Sunday, October 5, which is also World Communion Sunday. As we gather at table and break bread (or muffins or donuts!), there will be time to build new connections and share ideas we have for topics we might explore together in the new year.

The current schedule for the fall:

October 5: LOFT Kick-off Potluck Breakfast

October 12 – November 2: Care for the Caregiver

This four-week segment offers support for anyone who is currently or has recently been in the role of caring for a loved one, family member, or friend.

November 9 and 16: Living Our Faith Together in a Broken World

How do we name and notice the despair, fatigue, or overwhelm we may be feeling while leaning on spiritual practices that can sustain us in a painful time?

November 23 – December 7: Engaging Advent Across Generations

As we prepare for and enter Advent, this three-week segment includes scripture, reflection, and participatory experiences for people of all ages. Projects such as make-your-own Advent wreath will weave together ancient traditions and invite us to try on spiritual practices that deepen our experience of Emmanuel – God-with-us, and God-among-us.

December 14 and 21: Re-Membering Christmas

This is a set-apart time to reflect on our own experiences of the Christmas season – whether that includes loss, joy, grief, isolation, connection, or more. We’ll consider questions such as, “How do we resist the cultural pressures to consume and over-function?” There will be space to share stories, memories, photographs, meaningful objects, and more.

We hope you can join us for any or all of these opportunities.

With gratitude and anticipation,

The St. John’s LOFT Team
Deb Ahrens, Pat Rieker, and Pastor Linda