Adult Education

Sundays in May | 9:15 – 10:15 am | Lounge & via Zoom
Childcare will be provided.

May 3 | Significance and Responsibility of Fatherhood

In summing up the significance and responsibility of fatherhood, Sigmund Freud wrote: “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”

No pressure, dads.

More currently, Richard Reeves points out ways the shape of fatherhood is shifting, and often coming up short, in his 2022 book, Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to Do About It.

Drawing on her career as a family counselor and therapist, BHPC member Venus Masselam will lead a discussion on the role of fatherhood, the changing dynamics between fathers and children, and what our faith teaches us about the call to family stewardship. 

She’ll be joined by BHPC member Bob Deans, whose forthcoming book, Fishing with My Father: Field Notes from a Boyhood, explores his own relationship with a complicated man who ushered him into the wonders of childhood and the splendor of the natural world in days they spent together on ancient Virginia waters with Indian names. 

Join us for thoughtful insights and an opportunity to reflect on how the meaning of fatherhood continues to evolve.

May 10 | Why do bad things happen to good people?

This session will deal with this very important, perhaps the most important, theological question. It will be led by John Gaffney, long-time Bradley Hills member and former Session member, and Pastor David. Prospective attendees/participants might want to consider reading the book When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, as well as the Book of Job. A kind of inverse book is Mark Levinson’s Why Good Things Happen to Bad People. Job challenges retribution theology: that suffering comes from wrongdoing or lack of faith. Kushner’s message is that randomness affect life; we weren’t looking and were stuck crossing a road, or our friend Joe caught COVID and died.

There will also be time for questions and discussion about the possibility of miracles. The Catholic Church claims to have authenticated a few. 

May 17 | Addressing the Church’s Future and Continuing to Take Action Over the Summer

This is the last adult education program before summer break. We’ll focus on the importance of the Capital Campaign: BHPC is Here for Good. If successful, the Campaign will solve our decades-long challenge: affording our building while maintaining our worship, community, and missional focus. 

During the second half of the program, we’ll explore ways members can stay in touch over the summer and continue taking action to resist the current administration’s harmful policies and promote peace and justice.

Click to Join by Zoom

Meeting ID: 872 5427 9672 | Passcode: 505554