Early next month we are thrilled to be co-hosting theologian, professor, and author, Pete Enns.

Saturday, October 4, at 2 pm, Pete will lead a lecture on "The Case for Social Justice" at First Congregational Church, followed by preaching at all 3 services at First Community on Sunday, October 5. While registration for Saturday's event is not required, it is appreciated, so we know how big of a crowd to expect.

Additionally, the Spiritual Life & Learning Center and First Community are offering a car pool option to participants who would like to go, but are unsure of the location of First Congregational Church. Please click HERE to indicate an interest in carpooling to the event and SLLC will reach out to you to confirm and with details. We will meet at FC North at 1 pm and use church vans to ride down to First Congregational Church together. Space is limited.

Leading up to his visit, the Spiritual Life & Learning Center will present opportunities for conversations about his books during Thursday at 10 and Sunday Intersections. Join us for this special opportunity to be inspired and empowered by the teachings of this biblical scholar. More information and registration can be found by clicking on the graphic.

A year ago, we launched a pilot program of the Contemplative Series that brought together 15 participants to experience different ways to explore contemplative practice in order to deepen their spirituality with the divine along with building community with individuals who ventured this path as well.

Finding inspiration in The Tree of Contemplative Practice originally from contemplativemind.org (no longer active), we ventured out on a different limb each month with the help of specialized facilitators and the result was strong connectivity and communion and deep awareness of the divine in each experience.

In the words of one participant from last year, "The open, curiosity-based, playful nature of our gatherings. Shared exploration invited camaraderie, a shared sense of thinking together. I love how we grew to know each other along the way."

Because of the overwhelmingly positive feedback of the original series from both the participants and the facilitators, we are happy to be launching a second cohort to climb the contemplative tree together. There are a limited number of spots available and you are encourage to click the graphic above to find out more information and join us to ascend the tree while diving deeper into our individual and collective spirituality. It is a commitment that we believe will be beneficial and meaningful (and a whole lot of fun)!!

A Note from Rev. Seth Stearns

Greetings Beloved Community!

We are very excited to be partnering with First Congregational Church and the Gladden Lecture Series in bringing scholar and author, Dr. Pete Enns, to Columbus October 4 and 5, 2025. Pete is the host of the only God-ordained podcast on the internet, The Bible for Normal People. He will deliver a presentation at First Congregational Church on October 4, 2025, at 2 pm. All are welcome. If you would be interesting in travelling to the event in a First Community van, please indicate that by clicking HERE. He will then preach at all three services at First Community on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Alejandro Rodriquez, from the Spirituality Network/ First Congregational Church, and I will be recording a podcast with Pete this week that will be out soon!

If you have wondered about what it means to take the Bible seriously but not literally then you won’t want to miss Pete’s program on Saturday or his sermon on Sunday. I am re-reading his book, Curveball – When Your Faith Takes Turns You Never Saw Coming, and I continue to be challenged and inspired by it. Please register ASAP for the Saturday event so we know how many people to plan for.

I also wanted to highlight our second Contemplative Series that will be starting soon. This was an amazing program that we started last year. The Contemplative Cohort will meet monthly to experience the various forms that a contemplative life might take. There are a limited number of spaces so please register soon.



Jen and I are very excited to see you all again at the various upcoming programs and gatherings!

Blessings,

Rev. Seth Stearns

Minister of Spiritual Life & Learning

• A Psalm for the Wild-Built

by Becky Chambers

SLLC community member, Rita Trimble, highly recommends this first volume of a two book series, stating, "[the books] are full of heart and hope and they sort of quietly ask really deep, interesting questions -- like do we have to fill a particular purpose in life. The two main characters, the monk and the robot, are sweet, thought-full, gentle characters whose ongoing dialogue intertwines throughout."

• The Sin of Certainty

by Pete Enns

Steve Mushrush brings us this review of one of the books written by our next Spiritual Searcher: "As I was reading, I felt like he was reading my thoughts and questions."

Creator's Campfire

With Rainbow Eagle

September 9, 23

October 7

8 pm

Via Zoom

 "The Evolution of the Deity/God Through the Ages"  

Enneagram Institute of Ohio

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